Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Chita Rivera in a sublime performance, August 14, 2004
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN is a fabulous musical version of the Manuel Puig novel. The musical originally opened in London following a season in Toronto, before opening on Broadway. Chita Rivera originated the role of Aurora, the spider woman, who haunts the dreams of Molina (Brent Carver), a convicted sex-offender. Sharing Molina's prison-cell is Valentin (Anthony Crivello), and together they form a friendship. Aurora remains a spectre in their complicated relationship, which is tested to its limits when Molina comes up for parole and Valentin asks him to deliver some messages, which might endanger Molina's freedom. Chita Rivera gives a galvanising performance as Aurora, the Kander-Ebb score suits her voice to a tee, especially the seductively-catchy "Where You Are". Brent Carver gives Molina a frailty and strength which is heartbreaking. Anthony Crivello is heartstopping in the role of the manipulative Valentin. Also check out the `New Broadway Cast Recording' which was made after Vanessa Williams, Howard McGillin and Brian Stokes Mitchell took over the lead roles.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kiss of the Spider Woman, July 18, 2005
With the talents of Chita Rivera, Terrence McNally and Kander & Ebb, you'd expect "Kiss of the Spider Woman" to be a tuneful and well written musical with a star performance. It is more than that.
"Kiss of the Spider Woman" is such a superlative musical. The score is perhaps Kander & Ebb's best since "Chicago." While the show only gets good after the wonderful "Dressing Them Up", it truely is perfect for the show. With tender moments ("Dear One", "Mama It's Me), fun ("Where you Are", "Gimme Love"), rolliciking, ("The Day after That") and chilling (The Title Song, "Anything for Him") The score is tuneful and versitile.
We can hear snippets of McNally's chilling libretto. I have read it, and the final scene gives me the chills.
In the performance department, Chita Rivera gives a commanding and masterful performance as Aurora. She is better than any 25 year old around.
Brent Carver is also great in the role of Molina-the gay window dresser. He sings and acts superbly. However, recently, I have grown to enjoy Mr. Anthony Crivello's performance. Starting with his haunting, yet tender section in "Dear One" and ending with his incredible "The Day After That", Crivello gives a terriffic performance.
I recomend this to any Kander & Ebb or Broadway fan, or anyone interested in listeting to the best musical of the 90s, ranking with "Ragtime." Wonderful!
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Oh, Gracious One, Thanks A Lot!, May 30, 2005
Kander and Ebb will be remembered for Chicago and Cabaret... but if there's justice in the world, they'll also be remembered for Kiss of the Spider Woman, one of the most haunting musicals ever to grace the Great White Way (West End, Toronto, et al).
The score is timeless and capitivating (with the exception of "Marta", which played so much better on stage but comes across like one big yawn on the recording).
I know most people don't like her, but Chita is Chita! She holds her own against any twenty year old on the stage today.
Brent Carver is at his best here, and it isn't hard to understand why he walked away with a Tony. (What's more odd to me is that he didn't take one for Parade as well!) While he doesn't always sound technically perfect (sometimes he stretches his voice a tad too thin), it is that very quality that makes him so perfect. Of the nine Molinas I've seen (I'm a fan, ok?), Mr. Carver is the only one to play the role with so much sadness and regret. Everyone else seems so caught up in "the gay thing" (swishy hands and such are one thing, but I've seen Molinas who lisp and make me agree with Valentin about the "prissy whine") that they forget Molina is a real person!
Anthony Crivello is decent enough, but he does little to make Valentin likeable. His "Day After That" is a little too over-the-top for my taste. Brian Stokes Mitchell is a far better Valentin.
Honestly, I think everyone should own both recordings, but if you('re sane and) only want one, stick with the original. Brent Carver's "Dressing Them Up", "Anything For Him", and "She's a Woman" are worth overlooking any shortcomings this disc may have.
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Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.
~ Stephen Sondheim
~ Alice Ripley
~ Brian Stokes Mitchell
~ John Kander
~ Fred Ebb
See all 23 tracks on this disc
by John Kander 
