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Kiss Of The Spiderwoman

Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Directed by Harold Prince
Opened 1990

Synopsis

The place is set against the backdrop of a prison cell in an unidentified Latin American Country, and the surreal movie recollections of Molina, a homosexual, incarcerated for allegedly corrupting a minor. He, alone in a cell, hears the beckoning of the Spider Woman, his symbol of death (PROLOGUE).

Suddenly, Valentin is thrown into the cell, badly beaten and half conscious. Molina finds strength to nurse his wounds by recalling a movie with his favorite screen actress, Aurora (HER NAME IS AURORA).

The prisoners wishing for freedom are heard (OVER THE WALL I). Molina makes an effort to talk to Valentin as he becomes conscious, telling him of his work as a window dresser (DRESSING THEM UP). We find out Valentin is a revolutionary imprisoned for supposed terrorist activities. He bolts at Molina's effeminacy and tells he to leave him alone (I DRAW THE LINE).

Molina tells Valentin to think of a loved one to keep up spirits. As Molina thinks of his mother, Valentin dreams of his girlfriend Marta. Both women appear in their minds to comfort them (DEAR ONE). An interlude finds Molina, Valentin, and the other prisoners wondering about their families' activities while they themselves are in prison (OVER THE WALL II)

Molina and Valentin finally create a repoire. In order to pass time, Molina asks Valentin about his girlfriend. Molina then talks about his childhood watching movies in a cinema where his mother was an usher. He tells Valentin about his favorite movie star, Aurora, whose movies he admired except one where she played The Spider Woman, whose kiss was death. Molina believes he's seen the Spider Woman in the prison. Valentin laughs at him. But Molina explains how remembering the movies helps him "escape" the terror of the prison (WHERE YOU ARE).

Valentin is taken to be interrogated, he is tortured and beaten again as he refuses to divulge information. He tries to get through it by remembering his girlfriend (MARTA). Upon Valentin's being thrown back into the cell, Molina once again calls to Aurora to help him nurse Valentin. Marta also "appears" to bring aid to Valentin (I DO MIRACLES).

Molina tells Valentin of a waiter he has a crush on named Gabriel, and Valentin tells Molina of his first love (GABRIEL'S LETTER / MY FIRST WOMAN)

Food is brought to the cell, and Molina ends up eating the portion, intended for Valentin, that is drugged. He collapses with cramps and is taken to the infirmary where he hallucinates from the morphine administered for his pain (MORPHINE TANGO). Molina also envisions his mother and asks her forgiveness for being a homosexual. She tells him she loves him and would only be ashamed of him if he were cruel (YOU COULD NEVER SHAME ME). The Spider Woman also visits him in his hallucinations (A VISIT/ MORPHINE TANGO).

The warden pressures Molina to get Valentin to divulge his revolutionary contacts. Molina feels trapped between his love for Valentin and his own freedom.

When Molina returns to the cell The guards bring more food, Valentin quickly eats, for he has been starved for three days. Valentin falls sick and Molina comforts him . They fear the drugs they would use on Valentin in the infirmary. Valentin is ashamed of Molina having to mother him but Molina tells him to rest. Valentin utters Marta's name as he falls asleep. Molina wishes he could be the object of Valentin's desire (SHE'S A WOMAN).

The warden tells Molina his mother is sick in hopes Molina will betray Valentin. Valentin, still in pain, asks Molina to tell him a movie. Molina retells a jungle love story and they think about the fantasy of it to keep their minds off the prison (LET'S MAKE LOVE). Molina then tells his favorite movie in which Aurora sacrifices herself for her lover (RUSSIAN MOVIE/GOOD TIMES). Valentin says he should create a movie of his own, based on reality (THE DAY AFTER THAT).

The Warden brings Molina to his office to receive a phone call from his sick mother, who he says is on the brink of dying (MAMA IT'S ME) Molina agrees to get the names of Valentin's conspirators if he is released. Back in the cell Molina tells Valentin he is to be released. Valentin asks that Molina make some phone calls for him when hi gets out. Molina refuses to get politically involved but his desire to please Valentin is apparent. The Spider Woman appears knowing the web has been spun and the outcome will draw Molina to her (ANYTHING FOR HIM).

Valentin seduces Molina in order to manipulate him into helping him with his revolutionary cause. This entices the Spider Woman further and she reappears to sing of her soon to be conquest (KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN). The next morning Molina still refuses to deliver any messages for Valentin. Valentin kisses him, heart melted Molina agrees to deliver the message. Molina goes to leave the prison and the Warden asks him to write down the names of Valentin's contacts. He does so and leaves. The warden knows they are false so he orders that Molina be followed. Outside the prison Molina realizes his life will never be as it was before. He visits his mother, then later he makes the phone call for Valentin. He is quickly captures by the guards and taken back to jail.

Back at the prison Valentin is being tortured, Molina also beaten is dragged in. The warden threatens to kill Molina if Valentin doesn't talk. Molina cries out to Valentin that if he does talk he will have betrayed him. As Molina proclaims his love for Valentin the Warden shoots him. As he dies, Molina imagines his ultimate technicolor fantasy movie — in which he is the star. He dances a liberating dance of death with the Spider Woman, and he embraces her in her fatal kiss (ONLY IN THE MOVIES).

*(Synopsis Written by & Courtesy of Daniel L. Martin)

Song List

Prologue
Her Name is Aurora
Over the Wall I
Bluebloods
Dressing Them Up
I Draw the Line
Dear One
Over the Wall II
Where You Are
Marta
I Do Miracles
Gabriel's Letter
My First Woman
Morphine Tango
You Could Never Shame Me
A Visit
Morphine Tango
She's a Woman
Gimmie Love
Russian Movie
Good Times
The Day After That
Mama, It's Me
Anything for Him
Kiss of the Spider Woman
Lucky Molina
Only in the Movies

Info

Kiss of The Spider Woman made its first incarnation in Manuel Puig's novel published in Spain in 1976 under the title, El Beso de la Mujer Arana. From there it went on to be a well received movie premiering at the Cannes film festival, and garnering a best actor Academy Award for William Hurt for his role as Molina, as well as nurturing the career of Raul Julia in the role of Valentin. Puig dramatized his novel for the stage in 1985, which received it's debut at London's Bush Theatre as directed by Simon Stokes.

The musical Kiss of The Spider Woman wasn't started until 1988 with a collaboration including composing team John Kander and Fred Ebb; Director, Harold Prince; and writer Terrence McNally. A workshop presentation was mounted in Purchase New York. Puig saw this rough production giving his approval and offering his own ideas to the collaborators. Puig was not able to see it's final incarnation as he passed away from a heart attack during gall bladder surgery in 1990.

After opening in Toronto in 1992 , the show went on to London, winning the 1992 London Evening Standard Drama Award for best Musical.

The Broadway premiere was May 3, 1993 at the Broadhurst Theatre winning Seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Musical score, and garnering a best actor Tony for Brent Carver in the role of Molina. The Title Role was played by Chita Rivera, and later by Vanessa Williams.

Related

Kiss Of The Spider Woman MIDI Files
Kiss Of The Spider Woman: The Musical (1994 Broadway Cast) [SOUNDTRACK] -- John Kander, Fred Ebb; Audio CD
Kiss Of The Spider Woman: The Musical - Original Cast Recording (Original London Cast) [SOUNDTRACK] -- John Kander, Fred Ebb; Audio CD
Vocal Selections from Kiss of the Spider Woman

Licensing Agent

Samuel French ,Inc.
45 W. Twenty-Fifth St. New York ,NY 10010
(212) 206-8990

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