The Diana Son play “Stop Kiss,” described by the New York Times as a “sweet, sad and enchantingly sincere” comic drama, will be presented at West Liberty University. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 6-7 and 13-15, and at 3 p.m. on Oct. 16 at Kelly Theatre.
Michael L. Aulick, theatre director at WLU, said, “Not only have we picked an award-winning and important play, have students serving as the principle designers, entered it into a national theatre festival and have strong and enthusiastic cast. We have been in contact with the world-renowned playwright who has provided the cast with autographed copies of the script and sent us a letter of encouragement and words of wisdom. This contact is a big deal. She is huge in the world of entertainment (she also writes for TV) and she has been amazingly gracious with a small university theatre program.
“We have entered this production into the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival,” he added.
Judy Hennen will direct. She is no stranger to the West Liberty stage, having appeared in many productions as a student. Upon graduation, Judy and her husband, John, helped to establish Brooke Hills Playhouse in Wellsburg. She earned a masters degree in acting and directing at West Virginia University. She has appeared in over 41 productions and has directed 25 major productions on professional, academic, and community theater levels.
The cast includes WLU students Tiffani Atkins, Cassandra Hackbart, Branden Barish, Karissa Martin, Derek Park and Jaccob Trifonoff.
Diana Son won the Berilla Kerr Award for playwriting. She is an award-winning playwright, writer, television producer (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) and screenwriter. “Stop Kiss” was on the Top 10 Plays lists of the New York Times, New York Newsday, the New York Daily News and other major publications.
The play is the story of two women in New York City who, given their histories, don’t expect to become friends. After Callie meets Sara, the two unexpectedly fall in love. Their first kiss provokes a violent attack that transforms their lives in a way they could never anticipate. Variety described it as, “A poignant, funny play about the ways both sudden and slow that lives can change irrevocably.”
Aulick cautions that the play contains strong language and adult themes and may not be suitable for all audiences. Tickets are available at the door. The general admission price is $10; $7 for seniors; and $5 for students.