Stop Kiss

Rating:
Summary: A compelling exploration of love and violence
Review: Diana Son's play "Stop Kiss" was produced in New York City in 1998. The play tells the story of two women: Callie, a New York City traffic reporter, and Sara, a schoolteacher transplanted from St. Louis. Their growing attraction to each other is impacted by an act of homophobic violence.

Son tells the story in nonlinear fashion; this technique is very effective. Ultimately, "Stop Kiss" is a moving exploration of violence and survival, and of the tension between remaining silent and bearing witness. This is a play that also works in book form as a reader's text. I recommend it for those with an interest in contemporary playwriting or in the sociological issue of bias-related violence.

Rating:
Summary: A compelling exploration of love and violence
Review: Diana Son's play "Stop Kiss" was produced in New York City in 1998. The play tells the story of two women: Callie, a New York City traffic reporter, and Sara, a schoolteacher transplanted from St. Louis. Their growing attraction to each other is impacted by an act of homophobic violence.

Son tells the story in nonlinear fashion; this technique is very effective. Ultimately, "Stop Kiss" is a moving exploration of violence and survival, and of the tension between remaining silent and bearing witness. This is a play that also works in book form as a reader's text. I recommend it for those with an interest in contemporary playwriting or in the sociological issue of bias-related violence.

Rating:
Summary: A favorite.
Review: Diano Son captures this touching store told in scenes that jump from present to past. Every other scene tells the present and past of two women who fall in love without the knowledge of their sexuality. When one is beat and injured by a madman in the city, they must confront their families with their sexuality. One, too unstable to be on her own, needs the other. The story is touching, melodic and wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: Unsettling, intense
Review: I saw this work performed in the Wooly Mammoth Theater in Washington D.C., by a brilliant cast. At times light, at times stark, this play is a compelling story, with an ending that will leave you shaken.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful play!
Review: 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...

Rating:
Summary: A good play
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Powerful
Review: This is an excelent exploration of love and what constitutes it, and a painful reminder of hate--specifically homophobia. The message here is one worth hearing, and the telling of it is skilled and a pleasure to read. Highly Recommended.