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AUBURN — The cast and crew for the Community Little Theater production of the romantic comedy “Prelude to a Kiss” has been announced by director Eileen M. Messina.
Ryan Adair pays the narrator, bridegroom Peter; his wife, Rita, is played by newcomer Michelle Martin; Community Little Theater stage veteran Mark Hazard will play the mysterious Old Man. Other cast members include longtime CLT members Shirley Bernier and David Marshall as Rita’s parents; Christopher Hodgkin as Taylor, Peter’s friend and Best Man; James McKinley as Uncle Fred and Kathy Demers as Aunt Dorothy; Tracy Draper as Leah; Mitch Thomas as the minister; and Tyler Pulk as Tom.
The play will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 9; Saturday, June 10; Thursday, June 15; Friday, June 16; and Saturday, June. Matinees will be at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 11 and 18.
“Prelude to a Kiss,” by Craig Lucas, tells the story of Peter and Rita, an idealistic and romantic young man and a wild and unpredictable young woman who marry. Immediately after Peter and Rita have exchanged wedding vows, an elderly man who they don’t know asks to kiss the bride.
As he does, something magical passes between him and Rita, and Peter soon discovers that his wife’s soul inhabits the body of the old man, and vice versa. Back from the honeymoon, he realizes he must find the old man and determine his reason, and try to switch them back. The event tests the strength of their love and commitment to each other.
The play is at heart a romance about falling in love, marriage, and what happens when the person you married changes, either through age, appearance or illness. Written in the late 80s, it was considered to be an allegory about the AIDS epidemic.
Messina has been actively involved with CLT for 40 years. She has directed shows including “Our Town,” “The Lion in Winter,” “Sylvia,” “Inspecting Carol” and “Greetings.” She has also choreographed at least 30 more musicals and performed in well over 100 shows.
The play’s crew includes Britny Anderson as producer and sound designer, and Dan Kane as assistant director and stage manager. The rest of the crew includes Richard Martin, light design; Zach Gagne, light design assistant and light board operator; Maureen Brann, sound designer assistant and sound board operator; Sophie Messina, properties and prompting; Celeste Philippon, publicity and program layout; and Rebecca Cole, photography.
For more information, visit www.laclt.com.
PHOTO CAPTIONS: Cast member Kathy Demers rehearses the upcoming Community Little Theater play “Prelude to a Kiss.” The play opens Friday, June 9. (Submitted photo)
