"Prelude To A Kiss" - Chautauqua Playhouse

Left: 'Rita' (Lindsay Grimes)


Excellent comedy/fantasy/drama, featuring 'Peter' (Thomas J. Engstrom), 'Rita' (Lindsay Grimes), and the mysterious 'Old Man' (Michael Beckett). Fine acting, especially by 'Dr. Boyle' (Rodger - 'you are dealing with a slippery entity' - Hoopman). Julia Smyth (Mrs. Boyle) played her part with charming warmth.

I was particularly interested in seeing 'Leah' (Monique McKisson), who, as the character of the Old Man's daughter, has a short but riveting segment in Act II. Leah's emotional outburst is quite intense, and poignant.

Lindsay Grimes has been performing in Sacramento for only about a year, after having gone to school in Chico, CA. Despite her short sojourn in Sacramento theater, her fine performances have already made a mark here. In particular, her vivid portrayal of 'Tessie Tura' in Magic Circle Theater's recent production of "Gypsy" was particularly memorable. And she will playing 'Sheila Franklin' in Artistic Difference's (producer: Erik Daniells) upcoming production of "Hair" (May 4 -26) at The Space, 2509 R Street, in Sacramento.

Left: After kissing 'Rita' one too many times, T.J. Engstrom is suddenly inhabited by the spirit of Elvis ('thank you. thank you very much').


The acting demands are particularly intense on the three main actors. Engstrom, who also plays the narrator, is on stage virtually the entire time, as the lovesick, and increasingly confused and desperate character of Peter. After having graduated from CSUS with a BA in Theater Arts, and having performed with Sacramento Theater Company ("Amadeus"), Engstrom is entering the community theater with this production.

I was very impressed by the chemistry between Engstrom and Grimes.

Michael Beckett has an interesting acting challenge, which he says he prepared for by closing watching Grimes' mannerisms.

Both Beckett and Grimes are required to portray two starkly different characters, but the demand is especially intense on Grimes, whose characters differ in starkly different ways, and with the changeover virtually instantaneous. A great acting challenge! I was going to ask Grimes which of her two characters comes closest to her own, but forgot to do so. When I asked Monique's opinion, she said (the director) "can see right through you," which I took to mean that, in a sense, the director can find both characters in her, and therefore both are close.

All the actors spoke of the director, Ed Trafton, with the greatest warmth. Fine acting is hard to achieve without relying on a skilled director, and it's clear Trafton has succeeded with this cast.