"Stop Kiss" opens at FGCU

COURTESY PHOTO Rebecca Ormiston begins rehearsing her role as "Callie" in the upcoming FGCU Theatre Lab production of Diana Son's play, "Stop Kiss." Dr. Michelle Hayford, Assistant Professor of Theatre, directs Diana Son's "Stop Kiss" in the Theatre Lab at Florida Gulf Coast University. The performance is presented by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at FGCU and runs from Oct. 17 through Oct. 28.

"Stop Kiss" was a New York Times Best of 1999 pick, described as a "sweet, sad and enchantingly sincere play." The Obie Awardwinning play also received the Media Award from GLAAD in 1999. It's a non-linear story that is a postmodern juxtaposition of past and present. At once about violence, risk, affection and the complexity of attraction, this comic drama situates romance as a brave venture requiring self-exploration and the courage to make choices in a climate of fear and ambivalence.

It is a timely play that requires the characters and the audience to reconsider identity, commitment and who we choose to love. "Stop Kiss" is a queer play, one that defies categorization - not quite drama, or comedy about characters neither straight nor lesbian - and encourages all of us to be open to the unexpected and unconventional.

"Callie" and "Sara" are performed by FGCU students Rebecca Ormiston and Megan Pugh, respectively. FGCU student actors round out the cast: Jonathan Brickman as "George," Miriam Schroetter as "Mrs. Winsley/Nurse," Joey Yazvac as "Peter," and Blake Levine as "Detective Cole." The stage is managed by FGCU student Synthia Kavanagh with Technical Direction by FGCU Assistant Professor Anne Carncross.

This provocative play will be performed in the Theatre Lab's intimate space with audience on three sides and all actors in full view for the entire length of the play. The play will run approximately one hour and 45 minutes with no intermission. Adult language and subject matter may not be suitable for all audiences. Tickets go on sale Monday, Oct. 1 at the Theatre Lab Box Office: 590-7268. General Admission is $10, FGCU students, faculty and staff $5. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. There will be a special 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, Oct. 27 as part of FGCU's 10th Anniversary Celebration. ¦