Free Downloads Stop Kiss - Acting Edition
Ben Brantley of the New York Times summed up the critical reaction to Diana Son's play Stop Kiss when he stated that it "generated the warmest advance word of mouth of any downtown production this season" and heralded it as a Barefoot in the Park for a new generation. Son's story is deceptively simple: two young women in New York meet, talk about their boyfriends, feel a growing, unspoken attraction for each other, and finally kiss. And that one innocent kiss sets off a savage gay-bashing. But even as Stop Kiss confronts the reality of physical violence, Son's imaginative, moving, and surprising comedy brings audiences -- and her principal characters -- to unexpected places.Callie is holding down a job as a radio traffic reporter when she meets Sara, a midwesterner who, against her parents' wishes, has moved to the city to teach third-grade students in the Bronx. Both have boyfriends, but as they get to know each other, their shared experiences and sense of humor create a strong bond. The tragic consequences of their kiss -- the center of this powerful drama -- serve as both an indictment of hatred and a moving study of the perils inherent in living life fully. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Paperback: 64 pages
Publisher: Dramatists Play Service, Inc. (June 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0822217317
ISBN-13: 978-0822217312
Product Dimensions: 0.2 x 5 x 7.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #31,400 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #12 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Dramas & Plays > Comedy #44 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Literature > American Literature #59 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Comedy
I stumbled upon this play at the Soho Writer's Centre during my time in London last year. It was so good I saw it twice, and I would have gone again had it not closed. There's something bittersweet and special about this story, and the way it is told is electric. I couldn't wait to get to the next scene, and at the end, I wanted to spend more time with these women. It's sad that in today's society we can't just leave each other alone to live and love as our heart leads us to. This is just one story. There are so many more...
Stop, Kiss is a well thought out, well-written play about "different ways people can love one another." The story is told in a unique manner -- it starts with a scene from the present, before the climax, and then the next scene takes place afterwards, and so on, so we never actually see the event happen but learn about it before and after the fact. Interestingly, confusingly as it may seem, this is a very effective means.The story is about two single New York women, one a teacher, the other a traffic reporter, both of whom have had failed relationships with others in the past. Over time, they realize that they have fallen in love, only to be physically assaulted by an outraged homophobe as they share their first kiss. The play shows us not only the events leading to this, but all the trauma and drama afterwards.While the play starts off a little slowly, it escalates into an engaging, important, and relevant picture of modern life and the attitudes and views surrounding homosexuality in today's culture. I recommend seeing this play if it comes your way.
This is a moving story, that definitely had me engaged and caring about the characters, where their respective lives came from, intersected, and were going.Speaking for myself, the non-linear treatment of time/narrative was not problematic in terms of the narrative - in fact, i think it served as an excellent dramatic device (canʻt say too much more without needing to say "spoiler alert"). However, as another commenter noted, it does pose technical challenges directorially, in terms of scene and costume changes, although i am sure that there have been very effective solutions.imho, the lead character, "Callie", definitely has an nice psychological/emotional arc to convey, less so Sara and George. The rest of the characters generally fulfill narrative functions, although they all provide pointed insights into how we all view, value, move into, and out of relationships.Personally, i loved the story, and would love to see it produced locally.
Always do your research on what you want. I am in love with this play. The story of 2 females discovering their love for each other is so real. It portrays the protagonist's real frustration of realizing/actualizing a sexual orientation that she tried to deny. It shows the devastation and dangers of accepting ones sexuality and showing it in public. This story takes on the dynamics of heterosexual, bisexuals and lesbian relationships. I bought this as 1/10 plays that I was reading to pick from to pitch to my artistic director at Scene One Theater in JCMO. Well I selected this as my final choice for my 2nd directorial project and a potential production in the 2016-2017 season! I'll let you know if it's chosen.
I'm, giving this one star because the book had a printing error that made it unreadable. The last 20 pages of the book are a repeat of the previous 20 pages, which means that a significant part of the play is missing. My daughter needs this play for a class, and this copy is unusable.
I was Sara in a production of this play. However, that is not the only reason that I love it. I first read the play for a women playwrights class that I was in, and I instantly fell in love with it. My director described it best when she said "I read the last page, gasped, then went straight back to the beginning and read it again." I feel that way every time I re-read the script. After speaking these words for months of rehearsals and performances, I still gasp. Diana Son herself said it best when she said that it isn't a play about homosexuality or violence. It's a play about love. I think it's a play about humanity. But most of all, it's a play about taking chances and finding out who you really are no matter what that means.
I was introduced to this story when a co-worker at a summer job was auditioning for a part in the local community theater. She left the book behind and so I picked it up to read during my lunch break. I loved the play immediately. I had never read a play before (unless it was something required for English class in high school) but this story captured me immediately. It is a quick read... not very long. I loved it. That was in 2002.Fast forward to 2010, and I never forgot this story. It came up in conversation and I had decided that I wanted to read it again. I had a hard time finding it locally at my library, so I went ahead and purchased it. I was a little disappointed that the copy was essentially the size of a Program Handout you get when going to a play or other event. You know.. the kind that is held together by a staple or two. It easily gets lost on my bookshelves compared to books with spines.That being said, it is a wonderful story, and just as good the second time around. Highly recommend this quick read.
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