Stop Kiss

Stop Kiss is a play written by the American playwright Diana Son, and produced Off-Broadway in 1998 at The Public Theater in New York City. It was directed by Jo Bonney, stage managed by Buzz Cohen, with set design by Narelle Sissons, costumes by Kaye Voyce, lighting design by James Vermeulen, sound design and original music by David Van Tieghem. It was extended three times. It focuses on the story of Sara and Callie, who are assaulted on the street after their first kiss.

Upon seeing the debut of Diana Son's Stop Kiss at the Joseph Papp Public Theater in New York City, theater director Pope Freeman was captivated. Freeman won the rights to stage the play's second production, the U.S. West Coast Premiere, at the Jurkowitz Theater in Santa Barbara, California in 1999. Produced by the Santa Barbara City College Department of Theater Arts, which hires Equity guest artists, it was directed by Freeman, stage managed and sound designed by Edward Lee, with scenic and lighting design by Patricia L. Frank, and costumes by Janet Freeman.

Sara and Callie are walking through New York City's West Village very late at night, when they share their first kisses. 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, Callie's good friend, tries to help with the situation, but there is little he can do. Peter, Sara's ex-boyfriend from St. Louis, comes to help nurse her back to health. Throughout Stop Kiss, relationships are explored, formed, and even ended. Diana Son elaborates on the depths of human emotion and compassion in this play.

The story is told out of chronological order: alternating scenes take place respectively before and after the assault, which is not shown onstage.

Lead.

Lead.

Supporting.

Supporting.