One of the sleeper hits of the 1998-1999 Off-Broadway season, Diana Son's Stop Kiss, is now getting a mounting in Seattle, directed by playwright Steven Dietz. The fast-paced comedy-drama, about a straight woman who finds herself sexually attracted to her lesbian roommate, started previews at Seattle Repertory Theatre Jan. 24, opens Jan. 31 and runs to March 4.
The play's story, told in back-and-forth flashbacks, is triggered by the hate-crime assault on the roommate, which forces her friend to get off the hetero fence and confront her feelings. Stop Kiss had an extended run in late 1998 at New York City's Public Theatre, leading to an Outer Critics Circle nomination for best Off-Broadway play.
Other works by Son include Boy, which was directed by Michael Greif at CA's La Jolla Playhouse, and R.A.W. (`Cause I'm A Woman). Son's comedy Fishes played at Off-Off-Broadway's New Georges Theatre. She's currently an NEA/TCG playwright-in-residence at Los Angeles' Mark Taper Forum.
Dietz, a prolific dramatist in his own right, has penned such plays as Lonely Planet, God's Country, The Nina Variations and More Fun Than Bowling.
Amy Cronise and Jodi Somers play the roommates in Stop Kiss, with David V. Scully, Alban Dennis, Mike Regan and Tamu Gray taking supporting roles. Designing the show are Scott Weldin (set), Carolyn Keim (costumes), Rick Paulsen (lighting) and Steve LeGrand (sound). Tickets are $29 previews; $39-$42 regular. Seattle Rep is located at 155 Mercer Street in Seattle. For more information, call (206) 443-2210.
-- By David Lefkowitz
