Photos : Kiss of the Spider Woman (DC) — Page 3

READ ALL THE "KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN" REVIEWS IN ONE PLACE
HERE AT DC THEATRE SCENE.COM IN "THEIR REVIEWS."

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All of the Kiss of The Spider Woman Reviews In One Place At DC Theatre Scene

I completely agree with Morosco's review. It's a really fine production with Diaz and Chase the stand-outs. I did not like the staging of the number in the infirmary, but other than that, I found Eric Schaeffer's vision mesmerizing. Diaz was perfect tonight, and Chase was able to convince me of his passion and compassion for his cell mate even though Foster didn't seem able to connect with him emotionally...until the very end.

The ensemble was fabulous, but Cupo's warden bordered on ludicrous (and not in a good way. )

I was sitting dead-center in the second row, and while I'm sure I missed something in perspective by not being back farther, I was so close to what was happening on stage that I couldn't help being lured into the action. Sets, lighting, costumes are wonderful. Orchestra superb. Possibly the best production I have ever seen at the Signature. (No, wait. I think that honor belongs to Side Show.)

On a side note, Colin Powell was in the audience tonight.

P.S. I tried to PM you, Morosco, but you weren't accepting PMs. (Just letting you know in case it wasn't your choice...a lot of people have complained about the PM feature switching on them without their doing!)

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I did not like the staging of the number in the infirmary

The Morphine Tango. I've always hated that number. I would love to see how the show would play if they cut it.

Saw the show again. Holds up well with mostly solid performances. Unfortunately the actor playing the role of the Warden is now getting unintentional laughs. Seems that the audience reads his performance as comedy relief. It completely throws the balance of the show. It's as if Charles Nelson Reilly was cast in the role. I didn't think it was possible but his performance is more fey than Hunter Foster as Molina. Why director Shaeffer hasn't pulled the reigns in on this actor I don't understand. Diaz still shines as Aurora. Will Chase is still in great voice. And I've grown to hate the ending of the show "Optimistic Ending". Still there is a lot to really like about this production. Don't let my humble comments make any of you think twice about attending.

That "Optimistic Ending" was so out of place and totally unnecessary. The show would not suffer if it were cut.

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But "Only in the Movies" is the summation of the entire evening.

Yeah...that I get. But I hate seeing Molina rise on an elevator dressed in a formal tux singing gleefully about "only in the movies". I'd rather he be dressed in a variation on what he's been wearing the entire evening and go straight into the part where Valentin and he re-enact the Russian movie scene and then the tango with Aurora where she finally kisses Molina.

I really would love a new production of SPIDER WOMAN on Broadway. Who knows? Oh WEISSLERS!!!!!

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Anything for Him - Will Chase, Natascia Diaz, and Hunter Foster

Updated On: 3/29/08 at 03:22 PM

Thanks for posting morsco. The three are truly incredible.

For Anyone who doubted if Will Chase could sing this score
Day After That

OK...I am going to try and make this as concise as possible, but that usually fails me, so apologies in advance.

First, I was most excited to this production. I had seen the original cast back in the summer of 1993. I enjoyed it, but I found a lot of the score hard to digest. That being said, I have falled in love with both of the cast albums in the years since over repeated listenings. I always teeter-totter on buying tickets for out of town shows since I seem to have committment issues and pretend to be fiscally responsible. But, after hearing what folks on here were saying and seeing the production photos, I splurged...and couldn't be more happy that I did.

I had never been to the Signature in its new location before, and...WOW! Great set-up...and beautiful architecture. The space in the MAX is perfectly intimate. Actually, it reminded me a little bit of the Donmar in London, but that was years ago, so maybe I am being delusional.

From the moment the prolouge began, I was swept right in. Eric Schaeffer creates many beautiful images throughout, but he does a masterful job drawing in the audience from the beginning. This most in part to Chris Lee's lighting and Adam Koch's set design. While the space they are working with is small, I think they entirely maximized it.

After reading some things on here about Hunter Foster, I was a bit trepidacious, but I thought he was in great voice and played Molina with deft flair. There was an unsettled warmth me played it with that was very surprising to see. Will Chase. In a word -- amazing. The Day After That. I was almost shocked it didn't get a standing ovation...the audience went wild! Amazing voice, amazing presence...amazing body! Now, the title character as played by Natascia Diaz. She was one of the let downs for me. I thought she was a very talented dancer, but as a singer, she didn't pack much punch for me (at least the performance I attended). The only three times I enjoyed her presence on stage were during Come (Why is this not on either of the recordings??!! It is hauntingly beautiful.), Good Times/Russian Movie (hilariously campy), and Anything for Him. Other than that, I could take her or leave her. She did seem to "fit" into the roll, but her voice left me wanting.

Let me get the other two things I didn't care about out of the way. Steven Cupo. OK, I didn't think he was as bad as people are making out here, but still not good. His presence was good, but his voice and delivery drove me insane. Which leads me to Over the Wall IV/Lucky Molina. I have always thought this number ratchets up the tension leading to the finale. The tempo seemed much slower than I remembered (or truly is on both of the recordings). As opposed to driving me forward to Only In The Movies (which I love), it applied the brakes. And Cupo's voice only aided in the process. It is a shame...the show had such great momentum up until then. At least Only In The Movies made up for it, IMHO!

As for the rest, the male ensemble was excellent...and HOT! Looking at them makes one want to run to gym immediately! Marta and Molina's Mother (an understudy at this performance) were both in good voice, but that is about all they have to do.

In the end, I thought the production was very easy to follow (I can see where in the wrong hands, it could be a sheer mess), brilliantly designed, tight orchestra, and (Diaz not withstanding)...and I almost cower when saying this...a great production equal to what I saw 14 years ago. (Love the poster art too!!!) A great afternoon of theater, all in all. I haven't reviewed too many shows on here, but I can be a pretty harsh critic (I know, actions speak louder than words, blah, blah, blah.). In the end, though, this is one of the best shows I have seen in recent memory.

The audience was smaller than what I thought it would be. We were instructed to move down and in if we wished, but we loved our seats...plus, the guys next to us were amusing and cute! This was actually only the second stage production my bf had ever seen Tthe trade-off was me going to see the Raveonettes and Black Acid at the Black Cat later in the evening...which was equally as awesome in its own place, I might add.), and he throughly enjoyed it (at intermission, he came out saying he wanted to rip his shirt off and sing Gimme Love...OK, that would have been amusing). So much, indeed, that we booked our tickets to The Visit in June (ticket availability is kind of stinky, but at least all their posters at theater clearly state that) immediately following the performace.

Without sounding shill-y, if you have the opportunity and live within close proximity (Taz, I know you are faily close), go see this production before it closes. And try the Prosecco and intermission cookies at the bar...YUM! And truly, after seeing this, I am seriously considering a subscription at the Signature for next season. Great prices...and if everything else is like this (and we see where Glory Days is heading), it should be well worth the investment.

I'm done gushing...and if you made it through this, thank you!

Glad you enjoyed it, sanda! So happy to see others feel like I did! Can't wait for The Visit on 6/07! Go Signature!