Occasionally, we are lucky enough to stumble upon unexpected beauty: a song or artwork that resounds in the heart or a story that leaves the soul brimming with emotion. This sentiment holds true for Lenelle Moïse's exquisite play "K-I-S-S-I-N-G" at the Boston Center for the Arts' Calderwood Pavilion through April 2.
The first few minutes of the play are jarring. But don't fret; it'll soon switch gears. Moïse's summer tale of a teenage love and lust triangle between Lala, Dani, and Albert isn't what it seems. It's more. Moïse's writing captures the luminous shine that marks youth, love's promise of feeling seen and the discovery of fine art, while simultaneously engaging pain, loss and more. But joy is most abundant.
The production is a joint effort between the Huntington Theatre Company and Front Porch Arts Collective. And Front Porch's heart-forward, community-centered aesthetic sings here with Dawn Simmons' masterful direction. It's wildly funny and culturally specific without being exclusionary. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G" has been in development for a while, with workshop productions in 2014 and 2018 and readings in between. It was worth the wait. Read more
