‘Stage Kiss’ – Written by Sarah Ruhl. Directed by Rani O’Brien. Artistic Direction by Wendy Lippe. Set Design by Rani O’Brien. Costume Design by Sarah Lima. Lighting Design by Larry Segel. Presented by the Psych Drama Company at the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Black Box Theatre, 539 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116 through February 23, 2025. 

By Judy Katzman

The concept of immersion for Stage Kiss – the Psych Drama Company’s production that employs a play-within-a-play – is cleverly achieved as soon as your ticket is ripped and you walk downstairs to the waiting area. Outside the closed doors of the theater sits a table with information about a casting call for a production of ‘The Last Kiss,’ the title of the play within the Stage Kiss play. While waiting for the theatre doors to open, patrons can read a summary of ‘The Last Kiss’ as well as a description of each character. Meanwhile, Stage Kiss actor Kevin (David Kleinman) enthusiastically walks through the waiting crowd collecting names of volunteers who would like to “read” for a part. When everyone is seated in the theatre, the auditions for ‘The Last Kiss’ begin, starting with the audience member volunteers and then transitioning to the actual cast of Stage Kiss.  

Read more “Psych Drama’s ‘Stage Kiss’ is Funny – and Surprisingly Touching”