Happy International Kissing Day! In celebration of the simple pleasures associated with kissing, let’s take a trip through some of the most memorable, passionate and significant kisses in musical theatre for this week’s Saturday List. These moments capture the essence of love, longing and sometimes, sheer awkwardness. Here are ten kisses that have left an indelible mark on the world of glamour and show tunes. Pucker up – but be warned, spoilers may follow!

10. Maria and Georg in The Sound of Music

The relationship between Maria and Georg comes to a touching culmination in The Sound of Music, which features a score by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. The kiss in the original stage version precedes the dirge-like, but well-intentioned “An Ordinary Couple” and it’s Lindsay and Crouse’s lead-in dialogue that gives one the giggles. ‘When you were a very little girl,’ Georg says, ‘did a very little boy ever kiss you?’ Maria replies in the affirmative, and the Captain tells her it is very different from kissing a man. He then shows her, and she exclaims, ‘It is different!’ This kiss, though giggle-inducing, marks a clear manifestation of their heartfelt connection. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes, first kisses are a mix of nerves and joy.

9. Christian and Satine in Moulin Rouge

In Moulin Rouge, written by John Logan to fit a jukebox score, the kiss during the “Elephant Love Medley” is the climax of a spectacular theatrical sequence. Christian, fully believing in their love, has returned to Satine, who up until now has thought him to be totally ridiculous, and she eventually reciprocates his affections. This kiss is a rapturous epitome of their intense, forbidden romance, setting up the emotional journey of the second act. where they share a second kiss during “Come What May.” That second kiss takes place when the stakes are higher and their passion has matured a little, so it could be argued that it is more impactful – but it simply doesn’t measure up to that moment when Christian holds Satine in his arms and leans over to kiss her in a most romantic of act-closers.

8. Angel and Collins in RENT

Jonathan Larson’s RENT is filled with kisses, but the best ones belong to Collins and Angel. Their duet, “I’ll Cover You,” promises, in fact, ‘a thousand sweet kisses.’ Their sentimental kiss in the snow during “Christmas Bells” and their more performative one in “La Vie Boheme” highlight a deeply profound love that is also politically important. Angel’s death in Act II is heart-wrenching, making their initial kiss all the more meaningful. We weep for the loss of the most authentic individual in the show and for the depth of pain that Collins feels. And to think, it all started with a joyous little bop on the street with some cheeky choreography that lets these two characters dance deep into our hearts without us even realising it.

7. Celie and Shug in The Color Purple

Shug’s kiss with Celie in The Color Purple (with a book by Marsha Norman and a score by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray) was a groundbreaking moment of bisexual realness on Broadway. Celie, who has endured a lifetime of abuse first by her father and then by her husband, Mister, finds someone who cares for her well-being in Shug. Shug is a jazz singer who is also Mister’s longtime lover. She is in such bad shape when she arrives that Celie has to nurse her back to health despite disapproval from the local community. While tailoring a dress for Shug’s debut, Celie experiences feelings of warmth for the first time, while Shug learns more about Celie’s relationship with Mister. Their kiss during “What About Love?” is a natural yet surprising event that sets Celie on a path to self-love and empowerment. By the time the show ends, Celie has learned the lesson of love we all need to learn at some point – that true love starts by loving yourself.

6. Elphaba and Fiyero in Wicked

In Stephen Schwartz and Winne Holzman’s Wicked, Elphaba and Fiyero’s kiss during “As Long As You’re Mine” is a passionate and intense moment. It comes at a cost too. Early in the show, Galinda is charmed by Fiyero’s good looks and shallow philosophy, while Elphaba is unimpressed. One makeover and some social protests later, Elphaba and Fiyero rescue a lion cub imprisoned in a cage designed to prevent any Animal from speaking, after which Elphaba revises her take on Fiyero, also lamenting that Fiyero will never love her in “I’m Not That Girl”. One unhappy marriage to Glinda later, Fiyero helps Elphaba – now in full Wicked Witch mode – escape from the Emerald City and decides to go with her, leaving Glinda behind. They confess their devotion to one another in a hidden forest, which leads to a hot and heavy kiss, a testament to their undeniable chemistry and the complicated nature of their relationship. Being wicked has never felt so good.

5. Alexander and Eliza in Hamilton

In Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, the song “Helpless” gives us two kisses between Alexander and Eliza. At “A Winter’s Ball” hosted by Philip Schuyler, Eliza falls in love with Alexander, who reciprocates her feelings (“Helpless”), while Angelica suppresses her own feelings for the sake of their happiness (“Satisfied”). Alexander and Eliza’s first gentle kiss, his on her hand, is sweet, while their wedding kiss symbolizes their unity. “Helpless” captures the giddiness and all-consuming nature of love, making these kisses memorable and heartwarming. (Technically, the song gives us three kisses, but one is between Eliza and her father as he gives her away at her wedding. Even so, it’s also sweet – and kisses aren’t just about romance!)

4. Medium Alison and Joan in Fun Home

In Jeanine Tesori and Losa Kron’s Fun Home, Medium Alison’s kiss with Joan is an identity-affirming event. It takes place as part of the lead-in to the fantastic “I’m Changing My Major to Joan,” which in its chorus is a contemporary show tune in waltz time that is right up there with the best of Richard Rodgers’s waltzes from the Golden Age. In the scene, Medium Alison proudly tells Joan she has written a letter to her parents telling them that she is a lesbian, but begins to second-guess herself until Joan kisses her. Alison reciprocates almost immediately with a kiss of her own and later that night, she is delirious with the joy of self-discovery and something that feels a little bit like love.

3. Tony and Maria in West Side Story

The iconic kiss between Tony and Maria during the “Dance at the Gym” in Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and Stephen Sondheim’s West Side Story captures their instant, passionate chemistry. Despite the feud between the Jets and the Sharks, their tender kiss stands out as a point of stillness in a whirlwind of conflict. Before this, Tony has been convinced that something important is waiting for him (“Something’s Coming”), while Maria, who has recently arrived from Puerto Rico, is not in love with Chino, the man everyone expects her to marry. This brief kiss sets in motion the tragic events that follow. When Bernardo pulls his sister away from Tony and sends her home, it becomes the moment when the ultimate war between the Jets and the Sharks begins.

2. Emile and Nellie in South Pacific

In South Pacific, the long-awaited kiss between Emile and Nellie is a masterclass in building anticipation. Their initial interactions are loaded with sexual tension, culminating in a kiss after Emile’s formal proposal later in the show. The brilliantly written opening scene brings the pair close to a kiss a couple of times, notably at the end of “Twin Soliloquies” which is perhaps loaded with even more sex and eroticism than any Golden Age show knew how to handle! As each wonders whether the other reciprocates their feelings of love, they drink their snifters of brandy and – well, it’s very, very sexy. A big ballad follows (“Some Enchanted Evening”) as does the hint at a marriage proposal, but any chance of a stolen kiss is interrupted by Henri’s announcement of the arrival of Nellie’s ‘zheep.’ Finally, after Nellie has vocalised her doubts about marrying Emile and even vowed to ‘wash that man right outta (her) hair,’ Emile arrives with a formal proposal. Their kiss, after a glorious reprise of “Some Enchanted Evening,” is a satisfying payoff that highlights their mutual adoration.  It’s brilliant drama from Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan!

1. Christine and the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera

The kiss between Christine and the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe’s The Phantom of the Opera is a powerful cornerstone of the show’s final scene. Exposed after Christine has removed his mask on stage to a horrified audience, the Phantom drags Christine back to his lair. Raoul comes to the rescue but is ensnared in the Phantom’s deadly Punjab lasso. In a dramatic reprise of “The Point of No Return,” the Phantom offers Christine an ultimatum: if she stays with him, he will spare Raoul; her refusal will sentence Raoul to death. Christine tells the Phantom that he’s not alone and kisses him. her kiss, filled with kindness and compassion, touches the Phantom deeply and he frees Raoul and lets them go. This kiss is the culmination of the entire show’s build-up, making it a long and wondrous moment that resonates with audiences, even as it horrifies Raoul, who simply doesn’t understand the extent of what has transpired between Christine and the Phantom.

Final Thoughts

Kissing in musical theatre is more than a mere romantic gesture; it’s a way to convey deep emotions, pivotal plot points and the complexities of relationships. These ten kisses, whether awkward, tender, or passionate, remind us of the magic of love and the significance of a simple kiss. Which of your favourites have we left out? Let us know in the comments! And remember – it doesn’t have to be International Kissing Day for us to celebrate the beauty and joy of kissing for kissing’s sake. Spread the love!