- Prelude to a Kiss (play)
:"This article is about the stage play. For the 1992 film adaptation, see Prelude to a Kiss."
"Prelude to a Kiss" is a 1988 play by
Craig Lucas . It tells the story of a couple that falls in love despite the girl's pessimistic outlook on life. Shortly after their wedding, a supernatural event tests the strength of their love and commitment to each other.Plot synopsis
Immediately after a young couple named Peter and Rita have exchanged wedding vows, an unknown elderly man asks to kiss the bride. As he does, Rita's soul and the old man's magically exchange bodies.
Neither Peter nor the wedding guests grasp what has happened. Peter leaves the wedding with a woman he believes is Rita. During their honeymoon, he comes to realize that Rita's body is no longer inhabited by Rita's true personality. He must find the old man, and try to make himself love the spirit of Rita that is now inside that old man's body.
Analysis
Playwright Lucas is openly gay, and critics widely interpreted the story as a metaphor for
AIDS , which had ravaged the gay community. Because of AIDS, many gay men found that their formerly young handsome lovers had become frail, weak, and helpless. In effect, many gay men found that they were now in relationships with men who'd grown old long before their time. Peter's quest may symbolize the efforts of gay men to continue to love the souls and personalities that now lay inside sick, decrepit bodies.Productions
The play, a romantic comedy, was commissioned and originally staged by
South Coast Repertory in 1988. It openedoff-Broadway atCircle Repertory Company on February 20, 1990, starringAlec Baldwin andMary-Louise Parker , directed byNorman René . After receiving rave reviews, the production moved to theHelen Hayes Theatre on Broadway, withTimothy Hutton replacing Baldwin. Other cast members includedBarnard Hughes ,Debra Monk ,John Dossett , andLarry Bryggman . The play ran for 440 performances, received aTony Award nomination as Best Play, and was a finalist for thePulitzer Prize for Drama .The title is taken from the torch song by
Duke Ellington .A revival opened on Broadway at the
American Airlines Theatre on March 8, 2007, produced by theRoundabout Theatre Company .Alan Tudyk ,Annie Parisse andJohn Mahoney starred in the lead roles, withRobin Bartlett ,James Rebhorn , andMatthew Rauch in the featured supporting cast. The show was directed by Daniel Sullivan with original music byJohn Gromada , scenery bySanto Loquasto , costumes byJane Greenwood , and lighting byDonald Holder .External links
*ibdb|id=7220
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.