A kiss and tell in Buckingham
Correspondent
A kiss can certainly be pleasurable. It can be thrilling, uplifting, heartwarming and memorable. It can also be powerful, even life-changing — at least in, the world of fantasy. Such is the case in the Town and Country Players new show, “Prelude to a Kiss,” a 1988 romantic fantasy written by Craig Lucas that will run at the Buckingham theater from Sept. 21 until Oct. 9.
The play revolves around the romantic relationship between Rita, an aspiring graphic designer who works as a bartender, and Peter, who works for a Chicago publishing house. The young couple has a whirlwind courtship that quickly leads to marriage. At the wedding, everything is going according to plan. But things become really weird when a meek, bored and lonely old man crashes the ceremony and kisses the bride.
The kiss, as it turns out, dramatically transforms both participants, with each of their spirits unintentionally and inexplicably entering the other’s body.
Needless to say, this phenomenon ultimately creates
write a comedy,” Knapp said. “He was going through a painful, stressful time, and the play was cathartic for him. It was a way to help with his emotions through a tough time. At heart,” Knapp continued, “it is a romantic comedy, but I approach as a drama, because comedy comes from real life and the characters in the play are just trying to deal with problems the best way they can: like—real people do.”
Going back to that fateful kiss, one can safely say that it sure shook things up, greatly affecting and complicating the three lives involved.
With the newfound energy and vitality the old man has being in a young woman’s body, Peter doesn’t quite have the honeymoon he envisioned, with his wife certainly not acting like a new bride.
“The old man wants to use his new body to do all kinds of activities,” Knapp said. “He wants to do things like going snorkeling, surfing and mountain climbing,” Knapp explained, “instead of what a young couple usually does on its honeymoon. The old man wants to drink life in.”
Before the wedding, Rita was shy and nervous and had a pessimistic outlook on life. After the kiss, she realizes she can’t move around too fast and doesn’t have a whole lot of energy. However, as Knapp pointed out, Rita also (by becoming older) “gains confidence and learns how to relax and enjoy life. All of a sudden,” Knapp said, “Rita wasn’t afraid anymore and finally learned how to live.”
Interestingly, as Knapp revealed, “the kiss is just a vehicle toward getting at the heart of the story. “The kiss happens so the characters can learn about each other,” Knapp said. “It’s all about people experiencing how other people feel and how they live their lives.”
Caught in the middle of all the confusion and lifeswapping is the beleaguered husband, Peter, who is actually the play’s leading character. Peter is naturally befuddled by his wife’s suddenly uncharacteristic, mysterious behavior.
“Peter is freaked out,” Knapp said. “His relationship with his new bride changes dramatically and he wonders what’s going on. But to Peter’s credit, he sticks it out and stays true to his wife.”
Due to the interchangeable lives and Peter’s utter confusion and dismay about the situation, there are plenty of laughs in this play, particularly when Peter finally figures things out and lives with the old man for a few weeks. Why? So he can be with his wife, of course.
Not surprisingly, with all the wackiness and confusion, there were specific challenges for Knapp in preparing for the production, primarily that of finding the two talented actors who are required for the complex roles of Rita and the old man.
Knapp had to find actors who could play their own gender, as well as the opposite gender, in one individual person — quite a challenge for any actor.
“I had to find actors who were capable of a whole range of feelings and emotions,” Knapp said. “and who could change their demeanor effortlessly and quickly.”
Knapp remarked that he did indeed find those actors in Roseanne Enright (Rita) and Colin Jenei (the old man). Vincent Pileggi has the play’s lead role of Peter.
“I’ve got a wonderful, talented cast and I’m confident they will do a great job,” Knapp said.
As a final note, Knapp said that the three individuals get together and finally work things out at the end of the play.
“There is a return to normalcy,” Knapp said, and everybody ends up being better off because of the incredible learning experience they had.”
*** If You Go: “Prelude to a Kiss” Will run at Town & Country Players, 4158 York Road, Route 263, Buckingham, PA 18912, Sept. 21 – Oct. 9. Tickets: $15/ Info: 215-348-7566, www.townandcountryplayers.org or www.brownpapertickets.com