The  UT Theatre Department production of Stop Kiss is receiving good notices.

Doug Mason in the Knoxville News-Sentinel says that lead actors Rebecca Haden and Maggie Hargett

convinced as a couple that an audience would want to see be together at the final curtain.

He also praises the work of the director:

“Stop Kiss” was directed by Carol Mayo Jenkins, the Clarence Brown Theatre’s gem of a resident actor who here proves herself to be a sure hand offstage, as well.

Mr. Mason also wrote a preview article on Stop Kiss.

UT Student Bridget Hardy also previews the show in The Tennessee Journalist, complete with video interviews with the director and members of the cast!

Early performances of the play have been selling out, so advanced ticket buying is advised. Tickets can be purchased online via Tickets Unlimited (knoxvilletickets.com).

Who: Clarence Brown Theatre Studio Series
What:  Stop Kiss
Where: Lab Theatre
When:  April 3-13
Prices:  Adults $10, UT Students/Students $5

Stop Kiss to Play at the CBT
 
­Diane Son’s award-winning Stop Kiss will run April 3-13, 2008 in the Lab Theatre of the Clarence Brown Theatre.

The play, which has won the Obie Award, the New York Times Best of 1999, and the 1999 Media Award, will be directed by Carol Mayo Jenkins.  Stop Kiss is the poignant story of two women who meet and discover a deeper relationship than either had expected. Callie is a typical 20-something New Yorker who feels trapped in her job and is still hanging out with the same people she did in college. She takes a chance and befriends Sara, a confidant teacher from St. Louis who has moved to the city to work in the Bronx. As their friendship grows deeper and sexual tensions start to rise, both women are uncertain about making the first move. Then one passionate night they share their first kiss - and are tragically and brutally assaulted moments later. With Sara in a coma, Callie must decide whether to stay and take care of her or simply walk away.

An unusual timeline which combines past and future events enhances Diana Son’s realistic, sometimes comedic, witty, emotionally charged, and painfully bittersweet script. Stop Kiss is an experience which will leave you depressed, oddly hopeful, and thinking about the consequences of your actions and hesitations.

Carol Mayo Jenkins was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. She began her training for the theatre in London and subsequently moved to New York where she worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in regional theatre across the country. Sarah Waugh will serve as Assistant Director.

The cast for the production includes: Nancy Dinwiddie (Mrs. Winsley); Rebecca Haden (Callie); Maggie Hargett (Sara); Jamie Hickman (Nurse); Samantha Senn (Sara in hospital); Jonathon Seymore (Peter); Morgan Spencer (George); and Michael Whitelaw (Detective Cole).

Designing the production are Heather Hartman for the costumes, Erin Canfield for the sound, Morgan Matens for the scenery and Leigh Spencer Brown for the lights. Lanae McKee will serve as stage manager.

Stop Kiss runs from April 3-13.  Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for UT and regular students. For tickets, please call the CBT box office at
865-974-5161 or Tickets Unlimited at 865-656-4444.

Rebecca Haden and Maggie Hargett in the CBT Studio Series production of Stop Kiss