Mike Deeson, James Rayfield Present Musical 'It Started With A Kiss'

TAMPA, FL —LAB Theater Project will present its first musical, "It Started with a Kiss," a new play by Tampa’s own Mike Deeson and James Rayfield, opening July 7.

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 wrote the lyrics and music. A 12-time Emmy winning investigative reporter with WTSP Channel 10, Deeson has written close to 1,000 songs and spent 15 years as regional coordinator for the Nashville Songwriter’s International (NSAI).

James Rayfield is a longtime Tampa Bay playwright, director and theater teacher.

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

The set and lighting design are by Owen 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',” Robertson said, “I thought this was a nice little musical. A simple love story that fits very well in the country motif. 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 musical follows Ruth Ann and Earl, who 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?

Country music was made to tell this story. In fact, as Deeson said, “This play captures the essence of country music, which is often based on story telling through the raw emotions of relationship triumphs and failures.”

“At LAB, one of our key tenets is, 'Tell me a good story,' and this musical does that. The story of Earl and Ruth Ann is relatable and, in the end, I think, makes us smile and feel good inside," Robertson said. "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.”

"It Started with a Kiss" runs for three weekends, July 7 through 24. Live performance times are Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 3 pm.

Performances will also be available on-demand July 21 through Aug. 4. Audience members who purchase on-demand tickets will be emailed a link to the video site.

LAB reserves the right to adjust the number of seats available in response to CDC guidance, to protect the health and wellbeing of the audiences, cast and crew. LAB Theater Project wants patrons to feel safe coming to the theater. Full health and safety procedures may be found here.

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

LAB Theater Project, 812 E Henderson Ave., Tampa, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 production company that produces new works in the Tampa Bay Community. The belief in a “playwright first” focus is resolute, and a core value of the company. Along with a focus on developing new works, LAB Theater Project also focuses on training new theater artists to join the growing theater community in Ybor and the Tampa Bay Area.