Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and love is in the air. Many people are looking for a special outing as a way to express their love for their significant other.
The Pike County Little Theatre has them covered.
The theatre will present “Prelude to a Kiss,” a romantic comedy about a man who has to rescue his love, who has magically switched bodies with a mysterious old man.
The show will run 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, with doors opening at 6:30, and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, with doors opening at noon.
Tickets are $10.
PCLT official Jennifer Temple said theater members can reserve a seat.
“If they’re not a member and want to become one, they can contact me on how to become a member,” she said.
Temple said the theatre’s concession stand will have themed treats that relate to the show in some way.
She said when the nominating committee met to schedule their plays and musicals for the year, Patricia Lampkin, who works at Jubilee Performing Arts Center, mentioned the play.
Temple said after looking at the play, the committee thought it would be a good idea.
“We thought it would be a good show to do during Valentine’s,” Temple said.
She said the play, written by Craig Lucas, is about a man named Peter Hoskins, played by Marty Thweatt, who falls in love with Rita Boyle, whom Temple portrays. When the two get married, a mysterious old man, played by Randy Bullock, appears at the wedding. The man, unbeknownst to Rita and Peter, is dying and insists on giving Rita a kiss. When he does this, the old man and Rita switch bodies.
Peter begins to realize while he and Rita are honeymooning that this is not his wife and there’s something different about her.
He discovers the switch and goes on a journey to find the old man and put Rita’s soul back into her body before he dies.
Temple said at the beginning of the show, the writer takes the audience through how Peter and Rita meet. Rita has a pessimistic outlook and the two struggle in their relationship.
The first half details their courtship and engagement night.
Temple said Peter begins to realize something’s amiss with his new bride.
“Rita has some key facts, like her political affiliation, how many children she wants,” Temple said. “When they switch bodies, the old man is just thrilled to be alive. They’re the complete opposite.”
Temple said the old man doesn’t know how he switched bodies with Rita and they have to figure out how it happened.
The play also has a 1992 movie adaptation that starred Meg Ryan, Alec Baldwin and Sydney Walker.
Temple said the show has a cast of 12 and the play takes them on a journey as to how Peter will return back to his love.
Temple said seating is limited and the earlier people arrive for the show, the better.
Ryan Temple is the play’s director.
