In Which I Speak of the Unspeakable...

I so thought there was at least two stage kisses in Hello, Dolly!...
Guess not! I checked the script, and there is not one moment in this show when Cornelius & Irene share a moment...or even Dolly & Horace. That's awkward!
Forgive me, but I have a few thoughts about stage kisses (which is interesting, since I haven't ever had a stage kiss myself). At the level of theatre that I am currently involved in, it is VERY iffy to kiss onstage. But that's part of the distinction between LC shows and other community shows: we never skip out on it. We have (nearly) always been true to stage directions. If it's there in italics next to a line, we will try our very best to perform it. So, we have tried and failed, and tried and ROCKED at stage kissing in the past, but it's always been there, and we have been respected for it. And this time, no?
I'm sort of disappointed, actually. Those moments onstage have the potential to show our audience our dedication and talent...AND there is nothing more exciting than the day when we block THAT scene. The kissing scene. Somehow, the entire cast ends up being out in the auditorium at the same time, our two leads standing up onstage, blushing, laughing, smelling their breath etc. until they kiss. It's great fun.
There is technique though!
1) If you find out that you are going to kiss onstage, build up to it. As soon as you get the part, find your partner, hug them and say, "I can't wait to act with you!". As weird as it sounds, having physical contact will make things easier. Hug, playfully punch, actually punch (jk lolz), dance...This is for the audience's sake, not your own. If you want to give your fans a performance they can believe, chemistry MUST be built.
2) Do not be dramatic about it. Seriously? How immature is that. You're an actor, it's all part of your job.
If you're nervous about it: pretend you're not.
If you're excited about it: definitely pretend you're not.
Be indifferent.
That's definitely the main lesson surrounding stage kisses: Keep it cool, boy. Real cool. Your audience will thank you. Your acting partner will thank you. Your director will thank you. Your boyfriend/girlfriend will thank you. Everyone WILL thank you.

To the characters mentioned above: I am criticizing the writers of our musical, not your immense talent. All of you would handle stage kissing with grace, and fresh breath. But you don't have to! So you're completely off the hook! Yes! Celebrate and laugh like ha ha ha.  

In the news...
The Lynden Performing Arts Guild (it's a GUILD, love it!) is doing a great show called The Christmas Toy Shop. November 30, December 1 @ 6:30 pm. December 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17 @ 7:30 pm. December 3, 10, 11, 17 @ 2 pm. Claire vg Thomas Theatre in the Windmill. :) One of my theatrical mentors is in it. It's gonna be a BLAST.