Kiss of the Spiderwoman- First Preview at Signature Theatre, VA — Page 2

Those pictures look fantastic!

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I saw the show last night on press night and it's technically brilliant. It's the best lighting and sound I've seen and heard anywhere in a long time. And the set is massive and you feel like you are in prison with "the boys." I'm a big fan of Hunter, Natascia and Will, and they all deliver outstanding performances. The orchestra is perfection.

I'll be podcasting cast members in a few weeks and I'll post them here when they are online at DC Theatre Scene.

Our NYC Theatre Buzz Columnist Richard Seff, who was Kander and Ebb's agent for many years, wrote a wonderful article about Fred Ebb. Here's the link. Enjoy it.
Richard Seff on Fred Ebb

I saw the show this past weekend as well.

I agreed that it's a very good production. The set is better than many Broadway show. The lighting and costume are great as well.

Will Chase is the best of the show. I have always been fan of his performance from Rent, Aida, Lennon, and others. He's deserved to have a good material/ role on Broadway.

Hunter Foster is in fine voice and shows the other side of him. However, I have a slighly problem with his portrait of the charactor. His acting gives me a feeling of comedy of error in term of straight man acting like a drag queen. It reminds me of one of those shakspear's comedy of error type.

Natascia Diaz gives a very good performance. Her dancing is a highlight of her performance. Her voice is not very powerful but low, which gives another kind of impression.

This was my first experience with the show. I have never seen nor listened to the cast recording before. I was very excited to see becasue I have been hearing about it for along time. However, I must say that I was disappointed by the material. I'm a big fan of Chicago and Cabaret. I felt like Kiss of Spider Woman is very dated. Most charactors are one dimension. It does have a couple great songs such as 'Dear One', which was well done in this production.

PK2- there was nothing even remotely drag queen-esque about Foster's portrayal of Molina. He was delicate and masculine where need be. The character of Molina believes himself to be a woman. In his mind he is not a gay man. Mr Foster brings just the right feminine qualities to his portrayal of the role. I thought he was outstanding. The production shows the range of this tremendous actor.

Updated On: 3/18/08 at 10:35 AM

GetUp&LiveIt - Sorry to mis-represent. I did not mean that Hunter Foster acted like a drag queen. He certainly did not and there is no drag queen costume or make up either. What I meant is that I don't feel the organic from the acting. It's like seeing a comedy of error part, which audience is intended to know that he is not who he is. That's just how I felt. Thanks.

I am sorry we will be missing this, it sounds great. We WILL be seeing THE VISIT, though. Cannot wait!

The role is blah. Talk about an undeveloped character. I thought she did a fine job with what she was given and sounded lovely.

Updated On: 3/18/08 at 02:29 PM

drove to dc from nyc and the saw the show sunday night.. brilliant production. and i had seen the original with chita et al- so my expectations were high...

it did not disappoint- hunter foster, steals the show.amazing performance. chase also gave a great performance..diaz, (she had big chita's shoes to fill)...was good. she had some great moments. (the russian scene) she was great, but her voice and dancing were not as powerful/energetic. i must say the stage is very small, not a lot of room for dancing....Overall, a great production. well directed, fast paced. never dragged..

go see it...if in nyc go down, worth the trip.

i wonder if producers have consider bringing it to ny? they should