STOP KISS Set for Silver Spring Stage, 6/29-7/21

Silver Spring Stage presents Stop Kiss by Diana Son, directed by Chris Curtis and produced by Lennie Magida, a striking, provocative and powerful story of two women whose first kiss prompts a violent attack that transforms their lives in a way they could never anticipate. Stop Kiss will perform weekends June 29 to July 21.

Silver Spring Stage is located in the Woodmoor Shopping Center, lower level (next to the CVS) at Colesville Road and University Boulevard. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and students. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM, and Sundays July 8 and July 15 at 2:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.ssstage.org. Information is also available by calling (301) 593-6036.

"I'm consistently interested in the conflict between how other people identify you and the more complex way in which you know yourself," wrote Diana Son, the writer of Stop Kiss.

Stop Kiss premiered in 1998 at The Public Theater in New York City. The play won the GLAAD Media Award for Best New York Production and Son won the Berilla Kerr Award for playwriting. Since Stop Kiss, Son has written for the stage and a number of television series, including Blue Bloods, Southland, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and The West Wing.

Stop Kiss explores the search for one's identity distinct from the labels imposed by society. Though the kiss and its violent consequence seem to be the heart of the play, essentially Stop Kiss is a love story. Two women with different backgrounds experiencing life in the big city are drawn to each other. Callie struggles with her unfulfilling job and boyfriend, while Sara, new to the city, struggles to find her footing. They offer each other what is missing in their lives and find themselves drawn to each other.

Stop Kiss is not all serious. With lighthearted humor, Son gives the audience a hopeful message about living life fully. Son says that the title means: "Let's stop pretending we're not attracted to each other and kiss."

Stop Kiss is told out of chronological order with alternating scenes taking place before and after the assault, which is not shown onstage. Sara (Caity Brown) and Callie (Cara Duckworth) are walking through New York City's West Village, when they share their first kiss. This leads to a vicious attack by an angry bystander, in which Sara is horribly injured. She falls into a coma, which becomes one of the major subjects of the play. George (David Dieudonne), Callie's good friend, tries to help with the situation, but there is little he can do. Peter (Adam Adkins), Sara's ex-boyfriend from St. Louis, comes to help nurse her back to health. Detective Cole (Stephen Dougherty) investigates the case. The cast also features Shelley Rochester as Mrs. Winsley and the Nurse. Stop Kiss explores beautifully the depths of human emotion and the nature of relationships, which should not be missed.

The production team includes Mallory Harney (Stage Manager), Daniel Flint (Set Design), Kevin Garrett (Sound Design), James Robertson (Light Design), and Sonya Okin (Props Design and Set Dressing).

Silver Spring Stage's 2012-2013 season: 2012 One Act Festival (Aug 9-Aug 26), Farragut North by Beau Willimon (Sep 14-Oct 6), These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich (Oct 26-Nov 14), Expecting Isabel by Lisa Loomer (Jan 11-Feb 2), The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard (Feb 22-Mar 6), Frost/Nixon by Peter Morgan (Apr 5-Apr 27), The Little Dog Laughed by Douglas Carter Beane (May 17-Jun 8), Red Herring by Michael Hollinger (Jun 28-Jul 27), and A Christmas Carol for the holidays (Dec 7-Dec 16).

Silver Spring Stage has provided quality, affordable theatre for over 40 years. We are an all-volunteer, non- profit organization and appreciate any contribution to enable us to offer excellent and entertaining productions. Thank you for your interest and support of Silver Spring Stage. All programs at Silver Spring Stage are made possible in part by grants from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County and the Maryland State Arts Council.