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 focuses on the touching story of friends-turned-lovers, Sara and Callie, who are assaulted for kissing.

Original Cast

Callie: Jessica Hecht
Sara: Sandra Oh
George: Kevin Carroll
Peter: Rick Holmes
Mrs. Winsley/Nurse: Saundra McClain
Detective Cole: Saul Stein

The Story

Sara and Callie are walking through Jefferson Circle, when they share their first kiss. This leads to a vicious attack by a prejudiced 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 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.

Characters

Callie Pax

"Lead."
Callie works as a traffic reporter in New York City, where she has lived for some time. Callie helps Sara learn her way around the city, and, in the process, develops strong feelings for her. When Callie and Sara are attacked, Callie sustains only minor injuries and,along with Peter, nurses Sara back to health.

ara

"Lead."
Sara, who recently moved to NYC from St. Louis to participate in a fellowship at an elementary school in The Bronx, looks to Callie to learn how to fit in in the Big Apple. When Callie and Sara are attacked in the park after their first kiss, Sara is injured, and falls into a coma, where she remains for some time.

George

"Supporting."
George is Callie's 'friend with benefits.' He works as a bartender in the city, and is somewhat bothered by Callie's relationship with Sara.

Peter

"Supporting."
Peter is Sara's long term boyfriend from St. Louis. When he hears of Sara's injuries, he flies to New York to be with her as she recovers. Peter is still in love with Sara.

Mrs. Winsley/The Nurse

"Supporting."
Mrs. Winsley was a witness to the attack against Sara and Callie. The actress who plays this role usually also plays the small part of Sara's nurse.

Detective Cole

"Supporting."
Detective Cole is the detective assigned to Callie and Sara's case. He is the first to hear the story of what happened to Callie and Sara the night they were attacked.

Other information

The script is published by Dramatists Play Service.

External links

* [http://www.curtainup.com/stopkiss.html Elyse Sommer, Review of "Stop Kiss", Curtainup.com, Dec. 5, 1998]
* [http://www.princetoninfo.com/199901/90127p02.html Simon Saltzman, Review of "Stop Kiss", "U.S. 1", Jan. 27, 1999]