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October 22, 2007

“Prelude to a Kiss” Nov. 15-18 at ULM

The School of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Louisiana at Monroe presents "Prelude To a Kiss" Nov. 15-18 in Spyker Theatre. The romantic, comedic and modern fairy tale begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10.

The show is directed by Dennis W. Gleason, an adjunct drama instructor at ULM and artistic director at Strauss Theatre Center in Monroe. Of the production, he said, "This fascinating play provides wonderful acting challenges for the performers and an enchanting and endearing story for the audience. This is a mystery, a romance, a comedy and a drama all rolled into one.”

In the play, the audience is taken on a mystical ride of exchanged identities, hidden longings and the pure connection of love. It tells the story of a whirlwind romance of a young couple whose lives are forever changed by a kiss.

"Prelude To a Kiss" stars Steve Munz (Old Man) and ULM students Charles Pridgeon (Peter) and Julie Self (Rita.) Rita's parents are played by Kelly Vaden and Dale Willson Jr.; Peter's best friend is played by Ian Henry and the Old Man's daughter is played by Maya Blount. Ensemble cast members include Tony Stewart, Duncan Harrelson, Krystal Robinson, Kendra Barkley, Paul Boudreaux, Ahmaad Solmone, Vincent Jackson, Alex Schober and Tiffany Glenn.

The play received a 1990 Tony nomination for Best Play, a Drama Desk nomination and the Outer Critics Circle Award. The play was also a Pulitzer Prize finalist. "Prelude To a Kiss" won the Obie for Best Play in 1989 and then transferred to Broadway, running over 440 performances and starring Barnard Huighes, Timothy hutton and Mary Louise Parker. A few years later, the movie version starred Meg Ryan and Alec Baldwin. Last year it was revived on Broadway for a critically acclaimed limited run starring John Mahoney, (Frasier) Alan Tudyk and Annie Parisse (Law & Order).

For more information, please call the VAPA Box Office at 342-1414.

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