The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Department of Performing and Visual Arts-Theatre and Pioneer Players will open their 2023-24 season with Diana Son’s play “Stop Kiss.” Performances are Oct. 18 at 11 a.m., Oct. 18-21 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Theatre. The performance on Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. is also the Benefit Wednesday show. All tickets for Benefit Wednesday are $7, and the proceeds go to the Platteville Food Pantry and Pioneer Provisions, a free pantry/grocery service on campus which all currently enrolled students experiencing food insecurity are eligible to utilize.
Written in 1998, Son’s play tells the story of Callie and Sara, who meet and unexpectedly fall in love. Late at night, while walking through New York City's West Village, they share their first kiss. This expression of their love unleashes a violent hate crime when an angry bystander viciously attacks them. Sara is horribly injured and falls into a coma, transforming their lives in ways they could never anticipate. According to Dr. Ann Dillon Farrelly, professor of theatre and director, “The play jumps around in time – with the odd numbered scenes taking us through the past and how the relationship grows up until the attack and the even numbered scenes taking place right after the attack. I think Son structures the play in this way so we are never far from the horror of the crime. As we watch these women fall in love, we are also reminded of the hate that will confront them.”
The cast includes Avery Goth as Callie, Grace Silvestri as Sara, Jamie Wodack as George, Tatianna McGruder as Mrs. Winsley/Nurse, Max Konop as Peter, and Shaun DeVries as Detective Cole.
Joining Farrelly on the production team are Student Scenic Designer Seth Reilly, Costume Designer Sarah Strange, and Lighting Designer Josh Lawyer. Rounding out the production staff are Student Hair/Makeup Designer Anna Fassbinder, Student Stage Manager Isabelle Emerson and Technical Director Jeffrey Strange.
“It is always exciting to have student designers working alongside the faculty. As always, our students are doing some amazing work. We ask a lot of them, and they always go above and beyond in their commitment to every project,” said Farrelly.
Because of language and adult situations, this production is recommended for mature audiences. While this show does not show the actual attack, audiences should be aware that the consequences of the violent crime as well as descriptions of it are a part of the play.
“Even though Son wrote this play 25 years ago, it is still sadly relevant,” said Farrelly. “With renewed attacks against members of the LGBTQ+ community happening now, Son’s play takes on a new immediacy. What happens to Callie and Sara in the play is not some remnant of an intolerant and violent past. It is a very real and present danger.”
Tickets for the production are $15 for general admission and $7 for students (price includes $2 box office transaction fee). For tickets, contact the University Box Office at 608-342-1298 or buy them online at tickets.uwplatt.edu.