Stop Kiss at UP

Wow, the second university theatre post I've created in two weeks... oh well.
Tonight I went to see the small student production of Stop Kiss at the University of Portland. I liked the play. I loved that it was a series of scenes about real people who are all dealing with a difficult situation from their unique perspectives. No fancy gags. For those of you who are not familiar with the show, the whole plot is affected by the central occurrence of characters Callie and Sara being attacked in a New York City Park because they are kissing. What I thought was fascinating was how each character in the show had to reconcile how they felt about this incredibly offensive, violent occurrence, and also the homosexual relationship between Callie and Sara they are suddenly faced with.
There was a talk-back after the show that included members from two important campus groups, the Gay/Straight Partnership and the Feminist Discussion Group. Talk-backs are cool. Personally, they give me a sense for how the play is resonating with its community immediately afterward, which, as an artist, is both helpful and inspiring. During this particular talk-back, the audience discussed a lot about society's need to label its interpersonal relationships, and how Stop Kiss is not a play about "lesbians," though that seems to be the common interpretation, but that it is a play about two friends who fall in love. I found it really interesting.
Stop Kiss is also showing tomorrow night. It begins at 7:30 and it's free admission.