Tonight, A Common Thread Theatre Company is beginning a brief run of the Tony Award-winning musical Kiss of the Spider Woman at Dennison Memorial Hall in Framingham, MA, with shows from July 26th through August 4th.
I was graciously allowed to sit in for an early peek at the show before the curtain officially raises via a dress rehearsal. Read a bit of history and my thoughts on this classic musical below, as well as my review of the new production by A Common Thread Theatre Company.
The story of Kiss of the Spider Woman The Musical
Kiss of the Spider Woman is a classic example of a book or film being turned into a musical with great success. The musical was based on the 1976 novel of the same name by the late Manuel Puig, which was later turned into a highly praised film in 1985. Actor William Hurt won an Oscar for Best Actor for the role of Molina and it was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay.
Some years later, Kiss of the Spider Woman the Musical made its first run in 1992 with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Terrence McNally. The original cast starred the incomparable Chita Rivera as Aurora, with Brent Carver and Anthony Crivello as Molina and Valentin.
The 1993 Tony Awards saw the production win Best Musical, and many other nominations and awards, including Best Leading Actor, Best Leading Actress, and Best Supporting Actor for Carver, Rivera, and Crivello.
The story Kiss of the Spider Woman takes place in a South American prison. It’s here that Luis Molina, a gay window dresser, has been imprisoned, serving a long sentence for corrupting a minor (which he denies and insists he was trapped/set up).
To help Molina get through this horrific reality he is in, his mind goes to the movies, and in particular the beautiful actress Aurora, who Molina idolizes. He adores her in all of her roles, aside from one which frightens him: the one where she plays a “spider woman” who kills with a kiss.
Molina is soon joined by Valentin, a Marxist revolutionary who is being tortured in an effort by the warden to get the names of his fellow conspirators, or anyone else who might be aiding his cause.
While these two clash at the beginning, the two men bond over time, with the help of Molina’s tales of Aurora’s roles on the silver screen. The men are able to escape this horrific reality (to some extent) through fantasy and storytelling.
The musical itself is as incredibly vibrant as it sad and distressing in its darker moments. I feel that this story is also a testament to the strength of the human spirit, as it shows our main characters’ continued humanity and kindness in the face of a living hell. Especially Molina, who eventually finds bravery in his love for Valentin.
It is of course, in the darker aspects of this story, a commentary on many things, prisons, homophobia, and the inevitability of death. The last of which the aforementioned Spider Woman seems to encapsulate and represent within the story. Molina is fearful of her and says that she is real and there in the prison. And indeed, Aurora seems to appear as the Spider Woman during darker moments, rather than for a fun and fantastical musical relief from a harsh reality.
A new film adaptation of the Kiss of the Spider Woman stage musical is currently in the works, expected to be released in 2025. The Artists Equity film will star Jennifer Lopez as Aurora, with Tonatiuh (Hidden Canyons) as Molina and Diego Luna (Andor) as Valentin. No release date has been set yet, but filming began in Spring 2024 in New Jersey, and wrapped in June, so it shouldn’t be long for us to hear of when this film will hit theaters.
A Common Thread Theatre Company’s performance of Kiss of the Spider Woman
Framingham’s A Common Thread Theatre Company begins their run of the Kiss of the Spider Woman musical tonight, and I was able to get a sneak peek of it on Thursday. Read on for my thoughts on that performance and the stand-outs from the show!
As it should be, the musical’s title character the “Spider Woman” Aurora has the most pressure to be a top-notch performer, and Kimber Lynn Z. Drake did a phenomenal job with the many facets of the role. She has a beautiful, strong voice, and was a graceful dancer. She also clearly had a lot of fun with the cheekier aspects of her various numbers, such as “Gimme Love”. I really feel that Drake is an exceptional pick to play Aurora in this production.
I also have very high praise for Liam Devine, who plays possibly the most important role here next to the title character, Luis Alberto Molina. This was another excellent pick for the role. Devine’s singing was clear and pleasant throughout each of his numbers, injecting the necessary emotions, heartbreak, and humor as needed.
My favorite number of his here is probably “Dressing Them Up.” Here, Devine brings a bit of a sparkle in his eyes and into the performance, which I could see even several rows back.
Adam Sell as Valentin Arregui Paz is another talented performer who, like Devine and Drake, was able to bring across the complexities of his character well. “The Day After That” stands out in my mind as a particularly strong performance for both Sell and some of the ensemble for the show. One of the more emotional and heartbreaking songs, “Anything for Him,” was performed beautifully together by Sell, Drake, and Devine.
I would also like to mention Cathy Merlo as Molina’s mother was another stand out for me. She has a lovely voice, and both her performances of “Dear One” and “You Could Never Shame Me” really stand out in my mind from the night.
All in all, Director Jaimee Banks, cast and crew should all be proud of what they’ve put together for Kiss of the Spider Woman. Check it out if you can.
Buy tickets and find out more about A Common Thread Theatre Company’s productions
Performances for Kiss of the Spider Woman will be held in Dennison Memorial Hall at Boston Church of Christ, 214 Concord Street, Framingham, MA 01702 from July 26, 27, and August 1 – 4.For more information about A Common Thread Theatre Company, how to support them, and their future performances, visit the official website ACommonThreadTheatre.org.
Next up for the company is Gypsy, with auditions to be held in late August, and performances planned to take place in November.
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