Kiss Of The Spider Woman: The Musical (1994 Broadway Cast)

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Free Music Notes for Kiss Of The Spider Woman: The Musical (1994 Broadway Cast)

Free Music Review: Kander & Ebb at Their Best
Hit: 5 Stars

Vanessa Williams is astounding as Aurora/The Spider Woman -- one is reminded of the great sultry film vamps of the 30s and 40s, which Aurora obviously is. Williams demonstrates great expressivity in her voice, as well as an impressive range.

Howard McGillin is a fine Molina, though in the dialogue sections he tends to come across as a bit too fey. His singing voice is quite good, and he absolutely triumphs with "Dressing Them Up", a showstopping high-camp number. I am anxious to acquire the OBC recording of KOTSW, simply to hear how Brent Carver approaches the role.

Brian (soon-to-add Stokes) Mitchell is wonderful as Valentin, capturing well the anger and frustration and initial homophobia of the character, and the development of his relationship with Molina is subtle but convincing. Mitchell is given what I think is one of the most rousing numbers written for the musical stage, "The Day After That".

There is a level of sophistication to KOTSW that seems to be a first for Kander & Ebb. This is not to say that they have tried and failed before, but "Chicago" and "Cabaret" didn't call for the emotional sweep which imbues KOTSW; rather, they delivered what they promised: hard, glittering scores with incisively biting lyrics.

Particularly impressive among the songs are "Over the Wall," "Dressing Them Up," "Dear One," "Where You Are," "Gabriel's Letter/My First Woman," "Gimme Love," "The Day After That," and "Anything For Him."

Ultimately, the score and lyrics succeed on the two leads; Mitchell and McGillin flesh out the characters and give their relationship a complexity and believeability. The score builds up to what I think is the climactic number, "Anything For Him," which provides the key turning point in their friendship, while maintaining the complex nature of their relationship.

KOTSW has more than earned its place alongside "Chicago" and "Cabaret" as pinnacles in the careers of Kander & Ebb, and at the same time secures its place as a pinnacle in the genre of musical theatre overall.

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