Kiss of the Spider Womanis amusicalwith music byJohn Kander,lyrics byFred Ebb,and a book byTerrence McNally.It is based on the 1976 novelof the same namebyManuel Puig.Directed byHarold Prince,the musical had runs in Toronto (1992), theWest End(1992-93), andBroadway(1993). It won the 1993Tony AwardforBest Musical,Best Book of a Musical,andBest Original Score,as well as acting awards for all three principals in the cast.
| Kiss of the Spider Woman | |
|---|---|
 Broadway Playbill | |
| Music | John Kander |
| Lyrics | Fred Ebb |
| Book | Terrence McNally |
| Basis | Kiss of the Spider Woman byManuel Puig |
| Productions | 1992Toronto 1992West End 1993Broadway |
| Awards | Tony Award for Best Musical Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical Tony Award for Best Original Score |
Afilm adaptationstarring and co-executive produced byJennifer Lopezand directed byBill Condonpremiered at the2025 Sundance Film Festivalon January 26, 2025.
Plot
editLuis Alberto Molina, a gay window dresser, is in a prison inArgentina,serving his third year of an eight year sentence for corrupting a minor. He lives in a fantasy world to flee the prison life, the torture, fear and humiliation. His fantasies turn mostly around movies, particularly around a vampy diva, Aurora. He loves her in all roles, but one role scares him: the spider woman, who kills with her kiss.
One day, a new man is brought into his cell: Valentin Arregui Paz, aMarxistrevolutionary, already in a bad state of health after torture. Molina cares for him and tells him of Aurora. But Valentin can't stand Molina and his theatrical fantasies and draws a line on the floor to stop Molina from coming nearer to him. Molina, however, continues talking, mostly to block out the cries of the tortured prisoners, about Aurora and his mother. Valentin at last tells Molina that he is in love with a girl named Marta.
Again, Valentin is tortured. Again, Molina has to care for him afterwards. In his fantasies, Aurora is next to him, helping him do so.
The prison director announces to Molina that his mother is very ill and that Molina will be allowed to see her on one condition: he must tell them the name of Valentin's girlfriend.
Molina tells Valentin about a man he loves, a waiter named Gabriel, who does not return his feelings, and the two men cautiously begin to bond. Only a short while afterwards, Molina gets hallucinations and cramps after knowingly eating poisoned food intended for Valentin. He is brought to the hospital ward, talking to his mother and to the Spider Woman. As Molina is brought back, Valentin starts suffering from the same symptoms, also from poisoned food. Molina is afraid that Valentin will be given substances that might make him talk and so protects Valentin from being taken to the hospital. As Molina nurses him, Valentin asks him to tell him about his movies. Molina is happy to do so; Valentin also shares his fantasies and hopes with Molina.
Molina is allowed a short telephone conversation with his mother, and he announces to Valentin that he's going to be freed for his good behaviour the next day. Valentin begs him to make a few telephone calls for him. Molina at first refuses, but Valentin persuades him with sex. Molina is brought back the next day, heavily injured. He has been caught in the telephone call, but refuses to tell whom he has phoned. The warden draws his pistol, threatening to shoot him, if he doesn't tell. Molina confesses his love to Valentin and is shot. The scene then shifts to Molina in a heaven-like world, where all of the people in his life are watching his final "movie." The Spider Woman arrives and gives her deadly kiss as the curtain falls.
Songs
edit
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Original casts
edit| Character | Original Toronto & West End Production | Original Broadway Production | Original National Tour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 1993 | 1996 | |
| Aurora | Chita Rivera | ||
| Molina | Brent Carver | Juan Chioran | |
| Valentin | Anthony Crivello | John Dossett | |
Notable Broadway replacements (1993–95)
edit- Aurora:María Conchita Alonso,Carol Lawrence,Vanessa Williams
- Molina:Juan Chioran,Jeff Hyslop,Howard McGillin
- Valentin:Brian Stokes Mitchell
Productions
editKiss of the Spider Womanwas first staged by New Musicals, whose goal was to create, develop, and provide a working home for sixteen new musicals over four years, at the Performing Arts Center,State University of New YorkatPurchasein May 1990. It was directed by Harold Prince with choreography bySusan Stromanand featuredJohn Rubinstein,Kevin Gray,Lauren Mitchell,andHarry Goz.[1]An attempt to persuade New York critics not to review this initial production (a "work in progress" ) failed, withFrank RichinThe New York Timesarguing that it is "presented to the audience as a full-dress commercial production rather than a workshop",[2][3]followed by other critics covering the production and also filing mostly negative reviews.[4]New Musicals folded afterSpider Woman.
Two years later, the producerGarth Drabinskybecame involved, and in June 1992 his company,Livent,produced the show inTorontoat the Bluma Appel Theatre of theSt. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.Harold Princedirected a cast that starredBrent Carveras Molina,Anthony Crivelloas Valentin andChita Riveraas Spider Woman/Aurora.[5][6](Of the original Purchase staging, Frank Rich had written that the title role needed "a dazzling musical-comedy presence of the Chita Rivera sort who has always ignited the flashiest Kander and Ebb songs."[3]) Vincent Paterson choreographed the production assisted by Kim Blank.Keith McDanielserved as the production's dance captain and lead dancer who was featured as a dance partner to Chita Rivera in the original staging.[7]
Kiss of the Spider Womanthen transferred to theWest Endopening on October 20, 1992 at theShaftesbury Theatre,where it ran for 390 performances. Directed by Harold Prince with choreography byVincent Patersonand co-choreography byRob Marshall,it again starred Brent Carver, Anthony Crivello andChita Rivera.[8]The production won theEvening Standard Awardfor Best Musical.
It opened on Broadway at theBroadhurst Theatreon May 3, 1993 and closed on July 1, 1995 after 904 performances. It was again directed by Harold Prince, with choreography by Vincent Paterson and Rob Marshall, scenic design and projection design by Jerome Sirlin, costume design byFlorence Klotz,and lighting design byHowell Binkley.The cast included Carver, Crivello and Rivera repeating their roles, as well asMerle Louiseand Kirsti Carnahan. Carver, Crivello and Rivera wonTony Awardsfor their performances. Notable replacements included:Brian Stokes Mitchell(Valentin),Howard McGillinandJeff Hyslop(Molina); and, as AuroraMaría Conchita Alonso,Vanessa L. Williams(in her Broadway debut) andCarol Lawrence.
The US regional theater premier took place at Masquerade Theatre in Houston, TX in May 1999. Directed and choreographed by Jim Williams, the show featured scenic and lighting design by Amy Ross and music direction by Brandon Matthews. The cast included Gina Nepoli-Holmes as Aurora, L. Jay Meyer as Molina, Pablo Bracho as Valentine, Monica Rial as Molina's Mother, Jacqui Williams as Marta, Tim Wroble as Gabriel, and Todd Porter as The Warden.
A 1996 touring version featuredChita Riveraagain along withJuan Chioranas Molina andDorian Harewoodas Valentin.
It opened in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the Lola Membrives Theatre on May 2, 1995.
It opened in São Paulo, Brasil, in 2000, withCláudia RaiaandMiguel Falabellain the main roles.
Vortex Theatre Companyrevived it off Broadway in New York City in 2007.[9][10]
A reduced production with a cast of 7 opened at The Darlinghust Theatre in Sydney, Australia on 13 July 2010. Directed and choreographed by Stephen Colyer and music directed by Craig Renshaw, the cast included Alexis Fishman (Aurora/Marta), James Lee (Molina), Frank Hansen (Valentin), Jennifer White (Molina's Mother), Wayne McDaniel (The Warden), Jim Williams (Estabon/Gabriel), and Matt Young (Marcos/Aurelio).
Film adaptation
editIn December 2023,Jennifer Lopezwas announced to star as Aurora in afilm adaptationof the musical withBill Condonas writer and director. The independently-financed production will be executive produced by Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas andBenny Medinathrough theirNuyorican Productionsbanner, whileBarry Josephson,Tom Kirdahy,Greg Yolen and Matt Geller will serve as producers andSergio Trujillowill choreograph the musical sequences. Upon the announcement, a casting call opened for an unknown to play the role of Molina. Filming began in March 2024 inNew Jersey.In March 2024,Tony Dovolanijoined the cast as a mob boss. In April 2024,Diego Lunaand Tonatiuh joined the cast as Valentin and Molina respectively, withBen AffleckandMatt Damonjoining the producing team under theirArtists Equitybanner.[11][12][13][14]Lopez completed filming of her scenes in May 2024.[15]Filming officially wrapped on June 16, 2024.[16]It premiered at the2025 Sundance Film Festivalon January 26, 2025.[17]
Reception
editIn his review of the Broadway production forThe New York Times,Frank Rich wrote that the musical "does not meet all the high goals it borrows from Manuel Puig's novel. When it falls short, it pushes into pretentious overdrive (a" Morphine Tango ", if you please) and turns the serious business of police-state torture into show-biz kitsch every bit as vacuous as the B-movie cliches parodied in its celluloid fantasies. Yet the production does succeed not only in giving Ms. Rivera a glittering spotlight but also in using the elaborate machinery of a big Broadway musical to tell the story of an uncloseted, unhomogenized, unexceptional gay man who arrives at his own heroic definition of masculinity."[18]
Awards and nominations
editOriginal London production
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best New Musical | Nominated | |
| Best Actor in a Musical | Brent Carver | Nominated | ||
| Best Director of a Musical | Harold Prince | Nominated | ||
| Best Set Design | Jerome Sirlin | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design | Howell Binkley | Won | ||
Original Broadway production
edit| Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Tony Award | Best Musical | Won | |
| Best Book of a Musical | Terrence McNally | Won | ||
| Best Original Score | John KanderandFred Ebb | Won | ||
| Best Actor in a Musical | Brent Carver | Won | ||
| Best Actress in a Musical | Chita Rivera | Won | ||
| Best Featured Actor in a Musical | Anthony Crivello | Won | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Harold Prince | Nominated | ||
| Best Choreography | Vincent PatersonandRob Marshall | Nominated | ||
| Best Scenic Design | Jerome Sirlin | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design | Florence Klotz | Won | ||
| Best Lighting Design | Howell Binkley | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Musical | Won | ||
| Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Brent Carver | Won | ||
| Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Chita Rivera | Won | ||
| Outstanding Music | John Kander | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Set Design | Jerome Sirlin | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Costume Design | Florence Klotz | Won | ||
| New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards[19] | Best Musical | John Kander, Fred Ebb and Terrence McNally | Won | |
Popular culture references
editIn 2020, an amateur production of the musical is the focus of "Chapter Seven: Kiss of the Spider Woman"episode ofKaty Keene.[20]TheKaty Keenecast album of the musical was produced viaWaterTower Music.[21]
References
edit- ^Klein, Alvin."Purchase Campus Plays Host to Broadway Stars"Archived2016-03-05 at theWayback MachineThe New York Times,May 6, 1990
- ^"Reviewed Over Protest"Archived2016-03-05 at theWayback MachineThe New York Times,June 1, 1990
- ^abRich, Frank.Review/Theater; In a Prison Cell, 2 Men and a Movie Musical "Archived2016-03-06 at theWayback MachineThe New York Times,June 1, 1990
- ^Suskin, Steven.Show Tunes "(Ed 3, revised, 2000). Oxford University Press US,ISBN0-19-512599-1,p. 338-339
- ^Kander, John and Ebb, Fred. "Script,'Kiss of the Spider Woman' p.4", retrieved February 22, 2010
- ^Atkey, Mel.Broadway North: The Dream of a Canadian Musical Theatre(2006). Natural Heritage/Natural History, Inc.ISBN1-897045-08-5.p. 220
- ^Jennifer Dunning (January 11, 1995)."Keith McDaniel, 38, Principal Dancer With Ailey Troupe".The New York Times.p. B8.
- ^'Kiss of the Spider Woman' listingArchived2008-12-01 at theWayback Machinebroadwayworld.com
- ^Hernandez, Ernio (2007-07-20)."MusicalKiss of the Spider WomanReturns to NYC Via Vortex Theatre Co ".Playbill.Archivedfrom the original on 2017-07-30.Retrieved2017-07-30.
- ^Suskin, Steven (2007-09-17)."Kiss of the Spider Woman".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 2017-07-30.Retrieved2017-12-15.
- ^"Jennifer Lopez Attached to Star in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Musical Film From 'Dreamgirls' Director Bill Condon (EXCLUSIVE)".Variety. 7 December 2023.
- ^""EXITING NEWS! Recording artist and film star, Jennifer Lopez, will star in a screen version of Kander and Ebb's 1992 musical Kiss of the Spider Woman. Our very own Tony Dovolani will play the role of a mob boss! #MustWatch #KissOfTheSpiderwoman #FADSct #fadsconnecticut fadsmassachusetts #jlo #jenniferlopez #tonydovolani"".www.instagram.com.Retrieved2024-04-09.
- ^"Jennifer Lopez-Led KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN Film Enters Production".
- ^"Artists Equity Boards 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Adaptation Starring Jennifer Lopez; Diego Luna and Tonatiuh to Co-Star".9 April 2024.
- ^"Jennifer Lopez teases 'singing and dancing' in 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' movie".Entertainment Weekly.
- ^Tonatiuh."And just like that… Kiss of the Spider Woman is wrapped! This has been one of the most rewarding and beautiful experiences of my life. Thank you @billcondon3 @tomkirdahy @barryjayj @diegoluna_ @jlo @artistsequity @christogram611 @erikasanz @shaluga111 and the rest of the incredible folks in the cast and crew for making NY and Uruguay a blast. 🧡".Instagram.Retrieved17 June2024.
- ^Sperling, Nicole (December 11, 2024)."Sundance Film Festival Unveils a Lineup Heavy on Politics".The New York Times.
- ^Rich, Frank."Review/Theater; For the Musical, a Love Affair Beyond the Liaison in a Latin Jail"Archived2012-07-29 at theWayback Machine,The New York Times,May 4, 1993
- ^"New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards Past Winners".New York Drama Critics Circle.Retrieved31 January2025.
- ^Lee Lenker, Maureen (March 9, 2020)."Get a first look at the Katy Keene musical episode 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedMarch 18,2020.
- ^"'Katy Keene' Special Musical Episode 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' Soundtrack Details ".Film Music Reporter.March 19, 2020.RetrievedMarch 20,2020.
External links
edit- Kiss of the Spider Womanat theInternet Broadway Database
- Working in the Theatre:Kiss of the Spider Woman,panel discussion featuring the creators of the Broadway production
- Look Back atKiss of the Spider Womanon Broadway(Playbill,May 3, 2019)
- Vanessa Williams' Broadway Debut inKiss of the Spider Woman(Playbill,March 18, 2020)
- The Guide to Musical Theatre - Plot summary, production photographs Kiss of the Spider Woman