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Prelude to a Kiss
Peter finds his love for Rita put to the test when, during their honeymoom, her soul migrates to the body of an old man dying of cancer
93 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 14, 2016
Meh. I read this because I am considering auditioning for it. I knew the premise and the play itself was rather un-original. Maybe I am not interested in it simply because I grew up in the 1980s (and there were like 4 movies that came out about switching souls and bodies between young and old people) and so the concept seems blase. The text itself reads well, although I think the many different settings are unnecessary. It is rather fast paced and I think would be interesting to watch, but overall was nothing really special.
January 8, 2014
I loved the repartee in this book, it had such a rapid pace to it that I can picture the main characters Peter and Rita as kind of an homage to a Tracy-Hepburn like team up. The story was pretty straight-forward and simple, but still fairly interesting. I liked that the author chose not to bog the events with unnecessary explanations about how the events might have occurred but rather concentrated on the reactions of the characters. I also liked the lack of villains in this play; no one is to blame, there was no real malice, just an unfortunate coincidence. The conclusion, much like the entire play, was just as simple but a very satisfying end. The play kind of sweet in a way and it really makes you think of some of the "what ifs" about marriage, getting older and life in general.
December 30, 2018
Similar to Six Degrees of Separation (they were nominated for a Pulitzer the same year), I’m conflicted about Prelude to a Kiss, finding the idea fabulous and unique but the execution lacking.
In the long history of theatre, Prelude to a Kiss is a new kid on the block. But in the nearly three decades since its premiere, society has changed – not always in good ways and perhaps not fast enough in some cases – and the play already feels dated.
The play deals with a newlywed couple and the discovery that, on their wedding day, a good-luck kiss from an old man switched the souls of the old man and bride between their bodies. It’s a fabulous concept, but the play is from the perspective of the husband, and in some ways, he’s the least interesting (and least involved) of the three characters.
Prelude to a Kiss is pretty much a play about a dude that has stuff happen to him – unfortunate stuff, to be sure – but he’s an indirect victim. To me, the stories of the old man and the bride were more interesting.
It doesn’t help that the bride comes across as the 1990s version of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She seems more concept than person, and the play wasted too much time setting up the couple’s meet cute and not enough time on the interesting stuff.
If I had read this play for Mr. Lucas and he asked me to provide feedback, it would be this: open on the wedding. Have the couple recite their vows, laughing about their quirks, etc. Make the story less of a third person limited point of view – it’s a play, for goodness’s sake! – and try to understand sooner rather than later that keeping the audience in suspense isn’t viable. This is especially so when the conflict is clearly laid out in the play’s brief synopsis. Get to the interesting stuff, get to the conflict of life versus death, have higher stakes in the ending. And most of all: keep the focus on the victims. Let this be their story. Quasi-recommended.
In the long history of theatre, Prelude to a Kiss is a new kid on the block. But in the nearly three decades since its premiere, society has changed – not always in good ways and perhaps not fast enough in some cases – and the play already feels dated.
The play deals with a newlywed couple and the discovery that, on their wedding day, a good-luck kiss from an old man switched the souls of the old man and bride between their bodies. It’s a fabulous concept, but the play is from the perspective of the husband, and in some ways, he’s the least interesting (and least involved) of the three characters.
Prelude to a Kiss is pretty much a play about a dude that has stuff happen to him – unfortunate stuff, to be sure – but he’s an indirect victim. To me, the stories of the old man and the bride were more interesting.
It doesn’t help that the bride comes across as the 1990s version of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She seems more concept than person, and the play wasted too much time setting up the couple’s meet cute and not enough time on the interesting stuff.
If I had read this play for Mr. Lucas and he asked me to provide feedback, it would be this: open on the wedding. Have the couple recite their vows, laughing about their quirks, etc. Make the story less of a third person limited point of view – it’s a play, for goodness’s sake! – and try to understand sooner rather than later that keeping the audience in suspense isn’t viable. This is especially so when the conflict is clearly laid out in the play’s brief synopsis. Get to the interesting stuff, get to the conflict of life versus death, have higher stakes in the ending. And most of all: keep the focus on the victims. Let this be their story. Quasi-recommended.
April 11, 2012
I have to say I enjoy watching this more than I did reading it. It is one of those plays that "makes you think" about the legacy you leave and your own mortality. The fact that the writer was thinking of those suffering from AIDS when he wrote it makes it all the more poignant. Still, I prefer the film or the play to simply reading the material.
May 24, 2024
A friend is directing it this Autumn.
After reading it, I thought it was just…meh. 🤷🏼♂️
Clever and witty repartee.
Just not my type.
After reading it, I thought it was just…meh. 🤷🏼♂️
Clever and witty repartee.
Just not my type.
March 25, 2019
Cute storyline - half-way through it sounded familiar, then realized it was made into a film in 1992.
December 25, 2021
Have you ever read anything because it was referenced in a televison show, a film, an interview or another book?
This was the case for me with this play. I read it without knowing anything about it, which turned out to be a good thing because had I known the premise of the play, I probably would not have read it. I feel that the story of two people switching bodies has been used by a lot of movies and over time it became very predicatable. Although, it might have been a relatively new idea when the play was written.
Overall, I had a good time reading it.
The characters are quirky and funny and I liked the fast-paced dialogue and the many scene changes.
This was the case for me with this play. I read it without knowing anything about it, which turned out to be a good thing because had I known the premise of the play, I probably would not have read it. I feel that the story of two people switching bodies has been used by a lot of movies and over time it became very predicatable. Although, it might have been a relatively new idea when the play was written.
Overall, I had a good time reading it.
The characters are quirky and funny and I liked the fast-paced dialogue and the many scene changes.
September 23, 2016
A couple meet. They hook up. Two months later they get married. And then the trouble starts. On the honeymoon, the groom is wondering why his new wife can't remember things from last week. She changes. And then he realizes that the old man who crashed their wedding, is actually his wife. They had switched bodies!
July 4, 2015
Exactly the kind of play I love! Great characters, quick, clever dialogue and a story that has a satisfying ending. If I directed adult theater rather than high school, I would direct this play in a minute!
July 7, 2022
I quite liked this play, not least of all because of the staging and seamless scene changes.
What happens when the souls of an old man and a young bride get switched? Does love, for better or worse, survive?
What happens when the souls of an old man and a young bride get switched? Does love, for better or worse, survive?
February 13, 2009
Sweet, charming, but still bitterly realistic look at modern relationship dilemmas. One of the few plays turned into films of the '90s that I think actually worked as such.
March 6, 2010
Weird, but good. It felt a little...contrived? But there were some interesting themes in it. It'd be interesting to do a LGBT reading; there's a lot there.
June 2, 2011
Very witty and original. Liked the dialogue.
February 18, 2012
Not the story I thought it was going to be based off the description, but the twists made it less predictable. I look forward to performing this play :)
September 11, 2016
Author attempting to write clever people having clever dialog.
April 17, 2019
One of my favorite plays. The movie adaptation is one of the most underrated romantic comedies of my lifetime.
May 10, 2023
After reading this I could see easily why it was such a popular play. I have not seen the movie version yet, but I don't think it was a big hit. It is a contemporary comedy/fairy tale about a young couple. Starting with their meeting at a party, we follow a very abbreviated portrayal of their courtship leading up to their wedding about a third of the way through. At the wedding, a bizarre and magical incident takes place as the young woman, Rita, exchanges bodies with an unknown old man who, as it turns out, was just passing by. As Rita and Peter go off on their honeymoon, Peter begins to suspect something is wrong as his bride's cynical, insecure, liberal personality seems to have undergone a total transformation into a materialistic creature who wants to live for today and to have his baby. It is hilarious to see the typical attitudes of an older man portrayed through an attractive young woman.
(SPOILER ALERT) Somehow Peter guesses the truth and then the suspense is on. Rita abruptly moves out on him after he confronts her, and he finds the old man drinking at the bar Rita tends. With the help of Rita's mother, he cons Rita into meeting privately with him. She and the old man force her to kiss him again, and their bodies are once again switched. The original switch apparently took place because when their eyes met, they intensely desired to be one another at that moment.
There is no great depth or complexity to this play. The dialog is straightforward and witty, the characters are easily comprehensible without being ciphers, and the story moves along at a brisk pace.
(SPOILER ALERT) Somehow Peter guesses the truth and then the suspense is on. Rita abruptly moves out on him after he confronts her, and he finds the old man drinking at the bar Rita tends. With the help of Rita's mother, he cons Rita into meeting privately with him. She and the old man force her to kiss him again, and their bodies are once again switched. The original switch apparently took place because when their eyes met, they intensely desired to be one another at that moment.
There is no great depth or complexity to this play. The dialog is straightforward and witty, the characters are easily comprehensible without being ciphers, and the story moves along at a brisk pace.
December 5, 2023
Entirely lost on me—this could so easily be a raunchy 2000s comedy film. I'd both hate that and prefer it. The desperate plea toward emotional drama does not work for me. The only redeemable quality here for me is the character of Rita—incredibly sad, yet respectfully refreshing. I don't accept this as a profound AIDS parable or an ode to the power of love and commitment. What I can allow and agree with is that the world is devastating and terrifying. Pray you meet the right person to shoulder the burden with you. Old age is a success. But life is too long..
November 5, 2019
If it weren't for the unexpected twist, I would have rated this play as a "3" despite its Tony nomination. The opening blasted too much too fast, but perhaps, after reading more, that was needed for the unusual surprise.
May 31, 2020
A great production makes an OK play greater than the sum of its parts.
July 25, 2021
The dialogue here is good, but the premise leaves many questions, as her parents report she's lost time before. And I'm happy for them, but it was too pat.
September 5, 2022
My new favorite play! Such a fun concept and also a beautiful reflection on life and how to live and love fully.
October 21, 2023
A play isn't a play without a climax including angry shouting and lots of exclamation points.
December 16, 2024
My fall play!
August 5, 2020
Quick dialogue and even quicker set changes, it was a playful play with frequent breaks of the fourth wall.
The first act was a little slow to go into, but it picks up into some amusing shenanigans through act 2.
The character swap is a concept that has been done to death, but the execution of it in this play takes a different twist, addressing the audience directly with such quick setting changes. This would definitely perform better than it reads, as is the intent, obviously.
The ending is cute enough that, even if you struggle through the beginning, it leaves you feeling content and entertained, with a sweet message about life and living it
The first act was a little slow to go into, but it picks up into some amusing shenanigans through act 2.
The character swap is a concept that has been done to death, but the execution of it in this play takes a different twist, addressing the audience directly with such quick setting changes. This would definitely perform better than it reads, as is the intent, obviously.
The ending is cute enough that, even if you struggle through the beginning, it leaves you feeling content and entertained, with a sweet message about life and living it
May 1, 2019
Basic Plot: A young, newlywed woman gives an old man a kiss and they switch bodies.
This play didn't really do it for me. It's a small cast and a common premise used for LOTS of other movies (Freaky Friday and all of its sequels/remakes/reimaginings). It just wasn't an original idea by the time I read this script, and the script-writing didn't lend any real originality to the experience. Overall, not impressed.
This play didn't really do it for me. It's a small cast and a common premise used for LOTS of other movies (Freaky Friday and all of its sequels/remakes/reimaginings). It just wasn't an original idea by the time I read this script, and the script-writing didn't lend any real originality to the experience. Overall, not impressed.
July 25, 2008
I think I've read this play more than I've ever read anything. Easily 100 times. There was a time I read it once a week.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews