Last Chance To See 'It Started with a Kiss' By LAB Theater Project

TAMPA, FL — Although Saturday night is sold out, there are still tickets available for LAB Theater Project's new musical, "It Started With a Kiss," Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

The production with lyrics and music by 12-time Emmy-winning WTSP Channel 10 investigative reporter Mike Deeson and the book written by longtime Hillsborough County schools theater teacher James Rayfield has been an overwhelming hit with audiences.

This timeless work explores the deepening of young love and the forces that conspire against it, through the clarity and expressiveness of country music.

Deeson has written close to 1,000 songs and spent 15 years as regional coordinator for the Nashville Songwriter’s International.

Rayfield is a well-known Tampa Bay playwright, director and theater teacher.

"It Started with a Kiss" is directed by LAB’s founding producer, Owen Robertson, with Miles Randolph as musical director, and features local actors Kristy Pike and Lance Felton.

The set and lighting design are by Robertson, with set dressing by Beth Tepe-Robertson and costumes by Lara Jackson.

“When I first read the script for 'It Started with A Kiss', I thought this was a nice little musical, a simple love story that fits very well in the country motif," Robertson said. "Then, meeting with James and Mike, listening to the demo tracks of the music, I heard a beautiful story, one that I connected with — a story about first love, love rushed together, immature love, real love and marriage, growing up and growing into true love. The journey that James and Mike take us on is one worth going on."

The characters in the musical, Ruth Ann and Earl, are young and in love, and decide to join their lives in marriage. But this is a story that rides on the melodies of country music so, of course, nothing is smooth sailing for them. Instead, they face the gales of starting a family, struggling with jobs, and the pull of other distractions.

Ruth Ann gives all she can to raising a child and being a wife, but Earl is trapped in a thankless job, and has a roving eye that finds the women who hang out at the Dew Drop Inn attractive. What’s a wife to do when she thinks she has a cheating husband? How many times can she take him back? Can they renew their past love?

“This play captures the essence of country music, which is often based on storytelling through the raw emotions of relationship triumphs and failures," Deeson said.

“At LAB, one of our key tenets is, 'Tell me a good story,' and this musical does that," Robertson said. "The story of Earl and Ruth Ann is relatable, and, in the end, I think makes us smile and feel good inside. Is that wrong? I don't think so. Our world is full of conflict and turmoil, and there are numerous new works holding a mirror up to these deep and powerful issues. But Deeson and Rayfield give us a chance to just think about love. And right now, we can use a mirror telling us that love is alright, love is good, and love can get us through all the tough stuff. Additionally, the opportunity for LAB to produce its first musical, written by a local playwright and lyricist/composer, that seemed like an easy decision for me.”

Live performance times are Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 3 p.m.

Performances will also be available on demand through July 31. Audience members who purchase on-demand tickets will be emailed a link to the video site.

Tickets are $28 and are available online through LAB’s website.