Playwrights Horizons Extends Sarah Ruhl's STAGE KISS Through 4/6

Due to critical acclaim and popular demand, Playwrights Horizons has announced an extension of its New York premiere production of STAGE KISS, a new play by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee Sarah Ruhl (Dead Man's Cell Phone at PH; The Clean House, In the Next Room..., Eurydice), directed by Rebecca Taichman (Milk Like Sugar at PH; Marie Antoinette, Ms. Ruhl's Orlando, The Scene, Luck of the Irish).

Originally set to play a limited engagement through Sunday, March 23, STAGE KISS has extended two weeks to Sunday, April 6 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street). The production began previews Friday, February 7 and had its official opening Sunday, March 2.

Charles Isherwood of The New York Times named STAGE KISS a Critics Pick, praising it as, "A lively blend of romantic comedy and backstage farce, suffused with warmth and humor." Jesse Green of New York Magazine also hailed STAGE KISS, calling it "A gift and a rarity: a superb new romantic comedy that's moving, smart and flat-out hilarious. The brilliant Jessica Hecht gives a career-redefining performance. Dominic Fumusa is perfect. Rebecca Tacihman's superbly breakneck direction never lets up. You will have difficulty breathing. STAGE KISS is that funny."

The cast features Todd Almond, Clea Alsip, Michael Cyril Creighton, SAG Award nominee Dominic Fumusa, Emma Galvin, Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht, Tony Award nominee Daniel Jenkins and Patrick Kerr.

Art imitates Life. Life imitates Art. When two actors with a history (Ms. Hecht and Mr. Fumusa) are thrown together as romantic leads in a forgotten 1930s melodrama, they quickly lose touch with reality as the story onstage follows them offstage. Sarah Ruhl's singular voice returns to Playwrights Horizons with STAGE KISS, a charming tale about what happens when lovers share a stage kiss - or when actors share a real one.

The production features scenic design by Obie Award winner Neil Patel, costume design by Tony Award winner Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Peter Kaczorowski and sound design by Matt Hubbs. Original music is by Todd Almond, choreography is by Sam Pinkleton and wig and hair design is by Tom Watson. Production Stage Manager is Cole P. Bonenberger.

STAGE KISS had its World Premiere at The Goodman Theatre (Chicago, IL) in May 2011.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus