Brown University’s Department of Theatre Arts and Performance Studies (TAPS) and Sock & Buskin proudly present “Kiss of the Spider Woman” written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, book by Terrence McNally. Based on the novel “El Beso de la Mujer Arana” the play explores themes of gender, homosexuality, torture, human rights and fantasy. The two central characters, Molina and Valentin, struggle to survive the harsh and dismal Brazilian prison in which they are entrapped. Both end up finding solace in their friendship and the fantastical world of classical movies starring Molina’s favorite starlet, an actress named Aurora.
Conceived as a musical within a movie, the narrative flows between the drab existence of prison life and the glamorous world of Hollywood Technicolor. Juxtaposed, these two environments deepen the love story at the heart of the story. The Spider Woman — glamorous, dangerous — slowly weaves her treacherous web, as the men grow closer to each other and retreat ever further from reality.
The production runs November 1 through 4, and November 8 through 11, and includes a nine-instrument band. Thursday through Saturdays at 8pm. Sunday, 2pm matinee.
$15 adults, Stuart Theatre, 77 Waterman Street, Brown University (map)