| Prelude to a Kiss | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Craig Lucas |
| Date premiered | 1988 |
| Place premiered | South Coast Repertory |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Romantic Comedy |
Prelude to a Kiss is a 1988 play by Craig Lucas. The play, with a runtime of roughly 70 minutes, tells the story of Peter and Rita, a couple that falls in love despite the woman's pessimistic fear of the world. Shortly after their wedding, a supernatural event tests the strength of their love and commitment to each other. When it premiered, it was considered by many critics to be an allegory for couples affected by the AIDS crisis.[1]
A preview version of the play premiered on January 15, 1988, at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, California, directed by Norman René. Following this, the play was revised and made its official debut on March 14, 1990, in New York City. The revised, official version was directed by Réné, with Alec Baldwin and Mary-Louise Parker as Peter and Rita. The title is taken from the 1938 torch song of the same title by Duke Ellington.
The play was later adapted into a 1992 film of the same title. Lucas adapted the play into a screenplay himself, and the play's original director Norman René. Alec Baldwin returned to play the role of Peter for the film, while Rita was played by Meg Ryan.