A World Premiere

“Blue Kiss”

Written by Stephen Fife / Directed by Mike Reilly

Opening at 8pm on Friday, April 10

Reception to follow the performance

8pm Friday, Saturdays; 2pm Sundays through May 17, 2026

Ruskin Group Theatre at 2800 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405 

Santa Monica, CA (March 25, 2026) – Another first for the Ruskin Group Theatre Arts Center! The inauguration of their second performance space commences with the opening of Stephen Fife’s new play, BLUE KISS at 8pm on Friday, April 10^th. Directed by Mike Reilly and set in the present day, this thriller-like drama signals a commitment to daring storytelling, blending intimacy with emotional intensity on their versatile 60 seat Audre Stage. 

An SAT tutoring session takes a shocking turn when the teacher realizes that his new student has an agenda of her own. BLUE KISS takes place in the present day in a major city, as a routine encounter between teacher and student spirals into something far more unsettling as the instructor realizes his new student is not who she claims to be — and that they share a hidden emotional history. An explosive and deeply personal confrontation unfolds. This gripping drama explores trauma, accountability, and the far-reaching impact of gun violence. 

“The play may run under 80 minutes, but its creation has been a journey of several years,” explains playwright Stephen Fife. “Director Mike Reilly’s understanding of the characters has helped me through this process and to better understand the importance of exploring the difficult emotional terrain of the story. Every day we hear about terrible events – murders, suicides, car crashes – that will change people’s lives forever. But change them into what? That is the question that both Susan and Todd have had to confront, and the painful answers for each will be tested when they come together here for the first time.” 

Stephen Fife (Playwright) is a Los Angeles writer whose plays Savage World, Break of Day, and This is Not What I Ordered have been published by Samuel French/Concord Theatricals. Additional works include Class Poet, Sizzle Sizzle, The Mixed Blessing, Van Gogh’s Zombie Movie, New Day, and Bring Your Own. Stephen has thirteen books published, including the novel Definitely Maybe Not, four poetry collections,and two memoirs. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Columbia University’s School of the Arts (MFA), he has also written several screenplays and streaming projects.

Mike Reilly (Director) has helmed over 40 productions at various theaters in both Los Angeles and New York. At Ruskin Group Theatre, Mike has directed A View From The Bridge, starring Ray Abruzzo and Kim Chase (LADCC nomination for BEST REVIVAL), on Robin Baitz’s The Substance of Fire,” featuring Rob Morrow and Marcia Cross, Steve Mazur’s Bad Habits, a world premiere production with Orson Bean and Ally Mills, and the critically acclaimed production of Death of a Salesman starring Rob Morrow and Lee Garlington.

Cast: Casey Morris as Todd (Mother of the Maid, The Beauty Queen of Leenane at Northlight Theatre, The Grapes of Wrath, Hamlet at The Gift Theatre, Hooded or Being Black for Dummies at First Floor Theater, Ah! Wilderness at the Goodman Theatre, Hand to God at Victory Gardens, In a Little World of Our Own at Irish Theatre of Chicago, The Undeniable Sound of Right Now at Raven Theatre, What the Butler Saw at NC Stage, Hamlet, The Winter’s Taleat Venture Shakespeare. Casey is a stakeholder with the Backroom Shakespeare Project LA. He is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University); Carolina Rodriguez as Susan (company member at Rogue Machine, Theatre Ghosts, and Vs. Theatre Company. Recent credits include Adolescent Salvation – Rogue Machine, Three Witches and Haunting Rights – Theatre Ghosts. Film credits include The Misadventures of Vince and Hick, Woodbridge, and a variety of short films). 

Creative Team: Ryan Wilson (Scenic Design), Edward Salas (Lighting and Sound Design). 

John Ruskin (Artistic Director/Producer) most recently produced Honour by Joanna Murray-Smith, inaugurating the Kaplan Family Stage at the new Ruskin Group Theatre Arts Center. Previous productions include Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge (Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle nomination for BEST REVIVAL and two additional nominations for BEST ACTOR; winning 3 Stage Raw Awards). He produced Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile (extended for four months), the Los Angeles premiere of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner(extended for three months), and Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman which starred Rob Morrow. John directed RGT’s critically acclaimed production of Strange Snow, and he currently teaches a Master Class in acting at the Ruskin Acting School. John’s years of experience include studies at the Yale School of Drama, British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England, and the University of Colorado in Boulder. In New York, Ruskin joined the acting faculty of the Neighborhood Playhouse at the request of Sanford Meisner (who he then apprenticed with) before moving to Los Angeles where he founded the RGT school of acting in addition to the professional theatre company.

Michael Myers (Producing Artistic Director) has served at the Ruskin’ Group Theatre as a managing director since 2002. In that time, he has produced close to 100 projects. Along with John Ruskin, Michael produced Joanna Murray-Smith’s Honour, Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge and Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile. He produced and directed the hit musical Paradise A Bluegrass Musical which he then revived at the Austin Playhouse, for a sold-out run. Other notable projects include developing and producing the world premiere production of Rex Pickett’s Sideways the Play. Since its world premiere at the Ruskin, Sideways the Play has been produced at the La Jolla Playhouse under Des McAnuff and recently had its West End Premiere at the St. James Theatre. Mike developed and directed the world premieres of Sneaky Ole Time with music by multi- Grammy Award winner Paul Overstreet, Rainbow Bridge, and Digging up Dad. Mike is a co-creator of the Ruskin Group Theatre’s “L.A. Cafe Plays,” the monthly offering of one-acts done in 10 1/2 hours from conception to staging. The “L.A. Café Plays” have been produced 197 times since 2004. Mike served 12 years on Santa Monica Arts Commission, ten years as chair. During his time on the commission, Mike was integral in the cities decision to prioritize maintaining artist affordability in Santa Monica.  

Ruskin Group Theatre recently concluded their two-decade tenure at the original theatre next door with a sold-out production of The Fantasticks, known for being the world’s longest running musical. Previously, Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge starring Ray Abruzzo garnered a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle nomination for BEST REVIVAL and two additional nominations for BEST ACTOR; winning 3 Stage Raw Awards). The company launched the Los Angeles premiere of Todd Kreidler’s adaptation based on the screenplay of William Rose’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (extended for three months), and the world premieres of Rex Pickett’s Sideways the Play, picked up by La Jolla Playhouse (directed by Des McAnuff), subsequently moving to London’s West End; Paradise: A Divine Bluegrass Musical Comedy which was later produced by the Austin Playhouse in 2019 with the Ruskin cast, and The Alamo, now scheduled for regional productions. The CAFÉ PLAYS, created by RGT, are celebrating their 14th anniversary. 

“Blue Kiss” opens at 8pm on Friday, April 10^th and continues at 8pm Fridays, Saturday; 2pm Sundays through May 17, 2026. Ruskin Group Theatre is located at 2800 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Tickets are $25 – $40 and can be purchased in advance at www.ruskingrouptheatre.com or for more information: (310) 397-3244. Free parking available on site and nearby lot.  

EVENT DETAILS FOR LISTINGS: Run time is approximately 85 minutes (no intermission) 

WHAT: “Blue Kiss”

Written by: Stephen Fife

Directed by: Mike Reilly

Produced by: Mike Myers, John Ruskin, Nicole Millar

Presented by: Ruskin Group Theatre 

DESCRIPTION: An SAT tutoring session takes a shocking turn when the teacher realizes that his new student has an agenda of her own. BLUE KISS takes place in the present day in a major city, as a routine encounter between teacher and student spirals into something far more unsettling as the instructor realizes his new student is not who she claims to be — and that they share a hidden emotional history. An explosive and deeply personal confrontation unfolds. This gripping drama explores trauma, accountability, and the far-reaching impact of gun violence.

WHEN: Opening at 8pm on Saturday, April 10

Schedule: 8pm Fridays, Saturdays; 2pm Sundays 

Closing May 17, 2026 

WHERE: 

Ruskin Group Theatre

2800 Airport Avenue

Santa Monica, CA 90405

(ample free parking) 

HOW:

For reservations http://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com or call (310) 397-3244

HOW MUCH: $35

Seniors/Student/Guild: $30

Discounts for groups of 10 or more 

Instagram: @ruskingroupthtr