So there's been talk of a straight play adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman coming to Broadway. However, I would much prefer and be thrilled with a revival of the musical version. I always thought this was one of the last great american musicals. While the subject matter might have left some squeamish back in the early 90's today I'm sure it would be far less shocking. Let's see I can think of many possibilities for the dual starring role of Aurora/Spider Woman. Some that come to mind would be Catherine Zeta Jones, Bernadette Peters, Deborah Cox.
It really is a fine slice of musical theater. One of those rare musicals that actually boasts a sophisticated solid book by Terrence Mc Nally, an amazingly engaging score by Kander and Ebb and great dance numbers all in one fabulous package. I saw it many times during the run with both Chita Rivera and Vanessa Williams. Both were equally amazing in the role, but each of them put their own unique spin into it. It's rare that a musical has all of these ingredients coming together so smoothly. It won many prizes at the Tonys that year including best musical and Chita won for best actress. However, it ran just about 2 years and I truly thought it deserved a longer run.
I'm sorry I stand correct, luvtheatertrash. Yes, it was a novel, play and a movie before it's musicalization. My bad.
Saw this show because we couldn't get tix for Glenn Close in Sunset Blvd and absolutely loved it. Vanessa Williams and Brian Stokes Mitchell were great. Would love to see it revived.
Aurora really needs to be a great dancer. As much as everyone loved Vanessa Williams, I don't think she danced it as well as it should have been danced.
I thought Williams danced well enough. If you recall the dance numbers were not choreographed all that intricately. While, Chita was considered a legit "dancer" it was her first time back on stage dancing after an accident which left her with rods in her legs etc. Vocally, Williams was much better than Chita so it all balanced out. What was interesting is that Chita brought old time glamour and Vanessa brought a more sexy brand of glamour. Both of which worked to perfection.
My NO. 1 choice for which musical should be revived. I love Kander & Ebb and KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMEN is my favorite of their works. There are a number of women whom I think could play Aurora successfully, but someone suggested Bernadette Peters! Huh?!?!
Naya Rivera would be fabulous, but I wish she were maybe four or five years old. Catherine Zeta-Jones would be marvelous. This is what she should have brought to Broadway over Night Music: a flashy musical with lots of dancing!
Also, I'm not sure why, but I feel like Aaron Tveit could be an interesting Molina.
Closer to (Broadway) home, both Sara Ramirez and Karen Olivo could do it. But they are high flying belters, and I love that the score lays low for Aurora. Not saying it can't work in transposed keys, but a deeper toned voice really works beautifully.
Beyonce would be marvelous! She has a nice lower range, but I think some keys might have to be raised. Plus, getting to see Beyonce on Broadway would be a massive occasion.
Beyonce, please spare us thank you. She's sooooo overated!! If were going into the pop basket then lets go for the ultimate, Madonna. Now, that would be more like it.
It's so interesting, you can always tell who the youngens on here are just by their posts.
I'm 38 years old, jackass. I saw Spiderwoman twice on Broadway (once with Chita Rivera, once with Vanessa Williams).
Beyonce is an infinitely better singer than the Skeletor that was once Madonna. She's sexy as hell. She got great moves. And she brings a little bit of ethnic flavor. Oh...and she's a better actress (though that's more of a race to the bottom).
Your suggestion of Madonna is...well...it's something.
I would obviously be down for Kylie--although she is known for not being much of a dancer (she can do basic choreography, but there's a reason she doesn't dance as much in concerts as, say, Madonna or Britney, though she also never lip synchs like they sometimes do--well in the case of Britney like she usually does). But I think Kylie could play the movie star/diva element really well, albeit it would be a less severe portrayal than Chita or (I assume from the recording) Vanessa gave.
I saw the tour with Chita when I was 13 or so in Vancouver, and it blew me away. But I admit, part of the reason was I had never seen a "mature" musical live at that point, and it just seemed so exciting to see a musical tackle those issues (by issues I of course mean the on stage defecation... :P ). My grandma took me, who was very excited because she had long loved Chita Rivera, though I admit I was a bit uncomfortable with the gay stuff watching it with her (she loved it, regardless, so the discomfort was just the fact I wasn't out).
I know some people feel like the musical didn't tackle the issues as hard as they could have (including some critics whose opinion I really respect, as well as Gaveston on here whose opinion I also respect), so I'd be curious to revisit it as an adult--especially now that I've read the novel. I do still love the score, it's in my top three K&Es with Cabaret and Zorba (Chicago being fourth).
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joined:12/9/11
Posted: 11/8/12 at 11:05am