Stop Kiss Play Review: The Sad Truth of Love

Cal Poly Pomona’s Theatre Department shines a light on the social issue of homophobia and addresses the seriousness of modern day hate crimes by performing the production  Stop Kiss, a tragic love story between two women. The Theatre department closed its successful, final production of Stop Kiss on March 3rd with a matinee performance. The audience got the opportunity to watch the production on the stage, which made the play feel more personal and inviting. Stop Kiss was originally published in November of 1999 by the American Playwright Diana Son, and was produced Off-Broadway in 1998 at the Public Theater in New York City.

The story begins with a light friendship between the two main characters, Sara and Callie (Samantha Joun) that blossoms into a deep attraction. Sara is a Midwesterner who has moved to the Bronx to be a teacher and Callie is a radio traffic reporter. They both have boyfriends, but as they get to know each other better, their similarities and sense of humor create a strong bond. As Sara and Callie are talking on a late night, they share an innocent kiss which spirals their entire world upside down to an unfortunate tragedy and an inducing-trauma that puts their relationship on hold. They are confronted by someone who is blatantly homophobic who aggressively calls them “pussy eating dykes.” Sara is disturbed by this comment, and stands up for herself. The bystander doesn’t appreciate Sara’s courage; unfortunately,  Sara is beaten senseless into a coma, and Callie was kicked in the stomach resulting in a broken rib. After the incident, both of their lives are completely transformed, and their relationship has been put on hold. Throughout the play, we see their relationship begin, fall apart, and come together.

Stop Kiss is a classic showing of the rawness of love. Love is falsely portrayed consistently throughout stories, entertainment, and the media. We have our perceptions of what a good relationship looks like. The play shows that love isn’t something that just happens, but it needs to be cultivated, because love can be confusing and frustrating. The play is not only important in showcasing the truth behind romance, but the harsh reality of living as a gay individual. In a society that is majority straight, it has been difficult for gay people to come to terms with their sexuality. As a society, we are becoming more sensitive and aware of the unique struggles gay people endure. But gay couples still have trouble holding each other’s hands or expressing their love for each other in public. The sad reality that something as light and innocent as a kiss between two people can cause such chaos and hurt. The students at Cal Poly Pomona have done a fantastic job in putting on a show that presents the deepness of relationships, their characters, violence, and homophobia. I encourage students to watch the next play that the department is hosting, because it is a great and fulfilling experience to learn about the world.