PRELUDE TO A KISS Opens Tonight at NTC

By: Joan Doggrell

"Prelude to a Kiss," a 1988 play by Craig Lucas, tells the story of a young bride and groom that experience a supernatural event at their wedding. As a result, they are forced to contemplate the true meaning of "soul mate."

Immediately after Peter and Rita exchange wedding vows, an unknown elderly man asks to kiss the bride. As he does, Rita's soul and the old man's magically exchange bodies. Peter leaves the wedding with a woman he believes to be Rita, but during their honeymoon, he comes to realize that Rita's body is no longer inhabited by Rita's soul.

"Everyone tells Peter that the personality changes he sees in his bride are just the result of the marriage," said Director Jeff Allen. "But Peter knows better. Things are not as happy as they were with the real Rita. Her parents, on the other hand, like the changes they see. She is suddenly taking better care of herself. She's not drinking anymore, and she's eating healthy."

Peter and the old man (in Rita's body) are not happy together. The old man was close to death, but now he realizes he has a second chance at life in a young woman's body. He doesn't need Peter. He can move on and start his own life.

Meanwhile, Peter runs into the old man and recognizes Rita's soul in his body. Now his challenge is to keep his love for Rita alive despite the fact that she is in an unattractive body.

Later, when Peter and Rita return to their apartment, the old man in Rita's body has left. The couple must now contemplate what is to become of them if they cannot get Rita's soul back into her original body. Can their marriage survive this test?

"I just love themes of love and commitment and knowing who your partner is, working together and knowing what it means to be a soul mate," said Allen. "The audience is given an opportunity to imagine what it would be like to live someone else's life."

Christian Pollack is playing the role of Peter, the bridegroom. Scott Pollack, Christian's real-life father, is playing the old man. The female lead is Elizabeth Sandlin.

"The Pollack family has moved to Smyrna and haven't been involved with NTC for a few years," said Allen. "We're excited to have them back with us."

"Prelude to a Kiss" received a Tony Award nomination as Best Play, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. A film version came out in 1992 starring Alec Baldwin and Meg Ryan.

NTC is staging "Prelude to a Kiss" in the Black Box, which has seating for only 58 people. So make your reservations early to be assured of a seat.

The show opens at NTC tonight, November 13, and runs through Sunday, November 23. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the NTC website, www.newnantheatre.org, or via phone by calling 770.683.6282.

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