Based on the extraordinary novel written by Argentine author, Manuel Puig is the enthralling Kiss of the Spider Woman. Darlinghurst Theatre and Gaiety Theatre are presenting this multi-award winning, groundbreaking musical at Darlinghurst Theatre from this Thursday July 8 to August 8.
In a remarkable rendering of the musical genre, Kiss of the Spider Woman is a fierce tale of humanity pushed to its limits. Two men share a prison cell in Latin America. Molina played by James Lee is a gay window dresser convicted of seducing a minor. His straight cellmate, Valentin played by Frank Hansen, is a no-nonsense Marxist locked up for his left-wing revolutionary activities. In this atmosphere of political paranoia and distrust, loyalty is tested and prejudices are confronted. To escape the daily brutality Molina recounts the movies of the ravishing screen beauty, Aurora played by Alexis Fishman. He loves all her films except one in which Aurora plays the Spider Woman who kills with her kiss.
“The honesty and daring of Kiss of the Spider Woman the musical promises to redefine the way you think about musical theatre,” said Director, Stephen Colyer. “The intensity and humanity of the musical will be revealed anew to maximize the powerful intimacy of the Darlinghurst Theatre space”.
Kiss of the Spider Woman is based on Manuel Puig’s 1976 novel, El Beso de la Mujer Araña and became an instant classic, translated around the world. With music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, creators of Chicago and Cabaret and the book written by Terence McNally, Kiss of the Spider Woman the Musical took New York by storm in 1993 and won three Tony Awards – Best New Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The powerful story of Kiss of the Spider Woman has also been the successful basis for a play and a film, starring William Hurt and Raul Julia.
Director, Stephen Colyer started his career as a dancer and choreographer. He has directed Boston Marriage, Dying City, Fit to be Tied, Hello Again, Little Shop of Horrors and What A Shock ‘N’ Shame and was Assistant Director on Company B’s Twelfth Night .
Musical Director, Craig Renshaw has extensive experience in musical theatre, concerts and television. He has worked on large musical theatre productions such as Cats, Wicked, The Lion King and The Phantom of the Opera.
Playing the role of Aurora is Alexis Fishman. She was nominated for a Helpmann for the role of Mary O’Brien (Young Dusty) in the smash hit musical Dusty in 2006. Her credits include the musical, Shout! , STC’s Troupers, Canned Laughter’s Closer and Urinetown, The Beauty Spot for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Fishman recently made her theatrical debut in New York in The Hatpin as part of the New York Music Theatre Festival.
James Lee, who plays Molina was most recently in Jerry Springer -the Opera. Lee has been in a number of musical theatre productions including Fiddler on the Roof, Eureka, High Society, Bye-Bye Birdie, The Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, 42nd Street and Les Miserables to name a few. In the role of Valentin is Frank Hansen, who most recently played the lead role of Princeton in Avenue Q. Hansen’s musical theatre credits also include Rocky Horror Show, Eurobeat, Titanic the Musical, Rent, The Producers and Hair.
Jennifer White plays the role of Molina’s mother. In addition to her sole cabaret show Jennifer White -Tripping, some of White’s credits include Fiddler on the Roof, into the Woods, Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Cosi. In the roles of Aurelio, Marcos and prisoner is Matt Young, who was most recently in the popular Channel Seven series’ The Pacific. Young’s musical theatre credits include Cabaret, Hello Again, Las Vegas (Confidential), The Producers and Assassins. Jim Williams plays the roles of Gabriel, Esteban and a prisoner. Williams was most recently in the Australian and New Zealand tour of Miss Saigon. Wayne McDaniel plays the role of the warden and was most recently in Sydney Theatre Company’s The Overwhelming and Darlinghurst Theatre Company’s This is How Goes.
DARLINGHURST THEATRE, 19 Greenknowe Street, Potts Point
DATES: July 8 – August 8
TIMES: Tues – Sat at 8pm; Sun at 5pm; Matinees: Sat 31 July & 7 August at 3pm
TICKET PRICES: Previews $27, Adult $37, Conc $32, Senior $30
BOOKINGS: Darlinghurst Theatre Box Office on 02 8356 9987 OR www.darlinghursttheatre.com
