The Echo

Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Culture

Dismay between friends: George, played by Trip Brannon, expresses his distress to Callie, played by Erica Farnsworth, after hearing news that she was attacked. The final performances of "Stop Kiss" are Feb. 1 and 2 on the Circle Stage at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre.

The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is performing "Stop Kiss," a play which tells the story of a lesbian couple whose first kiss on a New York City park bench provokes a violent attack.

The play was written by Diana Son, a contributing writer for "Law and Order," and was first performed at the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1998.

The Chattanooga Theatre Centre's Circle Stage is now playing host to Son's love story, set in present-day New York City, with Margaret Cabrera Hudgins as director.

The play tells the story of the relationship between Sarah, a newcomer to the city, and Callie, a native New Yorker. Their friendship slowly develops into love.

When the two women share a kiss on a park bench, tragedy strikes as Callie and Sarah are violently attacked, putting one of them in a coma.

Son sets up the story by playing with time in a way that recaps the girls' courtship up to the time of the attack.

Callie has to deal with the ridicule of work, friends and Sarah's family when news of the attack becomes public.

"The play is meant to show the importance of maintaining a relationship no matter the obstacles," according to Hudgins.

She said she believes the Circle Stage attracts a different kind of audience due to the risqué nature of most of the plays performed there. "Stop Kiss" is no exception.

Hudgins said her goal has been to focus on the relationship between the female characters.

"When you meet someone who enhances your life, it changes and obstacles come with that," she said.

Hudgins said plays performed at the Circle are much more intimate because the audience is positioned almost on top of the actors and stage, helping to set the tone of "Stop Kiss."

Natalie Martin, a Chattanooga junior, attended the production.

"The setting is perfect for Son's play because you see Callie and Sarah as real people," she said. "It makes it possible for the audience to follow their journey of commitment and personal identity."

Bryan Laskowski, an employee of the Theatre Centre box office, said, "The play is doing well ticket-wise."

The cast of "Stop Kiss" will have its final shows on Feb. 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets and see what plays are scheduled for the rest of the season, visit www.theatrecentre.com.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools