“Stage Kiss” by Sarah Ruhl performed at the Hippodrome State Theatre in Gainesville is a play within a play that can become confusing.
The stage play is in rehearsal and we find “She”/ Ada Wilcox (Stephanie Lynge) in the terminals stages of an affliction. The errant wife is dying and her husband (Michael Krek) grants her final wish to see her old flame. The male lead is late for the rehearsal and understudy (Andrew Quimby) is fills in. A young, ambitious actor, he overdoes the kissing scenes and discourages “She” from continuing.
Finally the cast leading man “He”/Johnny (David Patrick Ford) arrives, along with “Millicent” his girlfriend, (Brittney Caldwell).”He” and “She” recognize each other from their past love affair.
The affair is rekindled by means of repeated stage kisses. “She”s Husband, finds out about his wife’s betrayal. The daughter, (Summer Pliskow) arrives and her reaction to a cheating mother is intense.
“Stage Kiss” is replete with comedy, one liners, music and a lot of madcap shuffling of characters around the stage. It also has its serious moments looking deep into the souls of its characters.
The actors cover several different parts as they move in and out of a well-designed stage setting. There is some adult language in keeping with the story line, but it seemed overused, more of a shock factor. The fight scenes were a little too staged and at times excessive and almost comical.
Due to the limitations of this thrust stage with two immovable columns, the set changes from a stage play to a dingy apartment tests the skills of Set Designer Mihai Ciupe.
“Stag Kiss” runs through Sept. 25 at the Hippodrome State Theater in Gainesville. It is a treat to see equity actors and students working together to produce a quality performance. Hats off to a job well done. For further information visit the Web Site at www.thehipp.org.
Villager Don Simson reviews local theater for Villages-News.com