If you're looking to watch the standard musical fare, don't watch Kiss of the Spider Woman.
With music by John Kander and Fred Ebb and the book by Terrence McNally, Kiss of the Spider Woman, the latest show by Scarborough Music Theatre, is anything but standard. It is shocking, touching and captivating, and guaranteed to leave you thinking long after you've left the theatre.
Set in an Argentinean prison in the early '70s, the show centres around the unlikely relationship between two very different cellmates, Luis Alberto Molina (Michael Harvey) and Valentin Arrequi Paz (Andrew Mitchell).
Molina is a homosexual serving time for having relations with a minor, while Valentin is a macho political prisoner. To escape the hell of prison life, Molina constantly relives scenes from his favourite movies starring actress Aurora (Jennifer Polansky) driving Valentin crazy.
But no sooner does Valentin draw a line in the cell to keep Molina away from him does he begin to embrace the eccentric prisoner. As Valentin is tortured regularly, he depends on Molina to nurse his wounds after every session and the two become close.
Soon Valentin even begins to embrace Molina's Aurora films, and as Molina tells the stories, they're brought to life right before the audience's eyes by the ensemble cast.
But there is one film Molina refuses to share, and that is the movie in which Aurora plays the Spider Woman whose kiss kills. Her character, also portrayed by Polansky, is present throughout the show as prisoners die.
Meanwhile, the Warden (Ed Rancier) offers Molina freedom in exchange for information on Valentin, and soon, even Aurora's movies can't help them from what the Warden has up his sleeve to make them talk.
This show was full of action and drama. The fantasy movie sequels throughout contrasted well to the gloom of the prison atmosphere. Since they were set in places from Russia to Latin America, the costumes were diverse and really brought the scenes to life.
Both prison and the movies sequels lent to some hysterical and dark musical numbers, like 'Morphine Tango', a hilarious number that had crossdressing nurses tending to a sick, morphine-filled Molina. The 'Over the Wall' numbers were dark and depressing and showed the reality of living in prison.
The atmosphere was creepy and realistic and a set of prison bars and cell blocks brought that to life along with an effective cell on wheels that could be wheeled in and out as necessary.
Both the leads and ensemble cast were polished in this show. Harvey as Molina and Mitchell as Valentin had onstage chemistry that was believable and entertaining. They had some hard scenes to portray and the two did it with taste and skill.
Polansky was engaging, and her talent evident, as she portrayed both Aurora and the Spider Woman. Her singing was spectacular and shone especially in the signature number 'Kiss of the Spider Woman'.
While this show had drama, comedy and fantasy, the storyline is definitely not for everyone and presents some uncomfortable topics. It's also not for children. However, if you want to be entertained and are looking for a show that breaks all the traditional musical stereotypes, this is the show to watch.
Kiss of the Spider Woman runs Feb. 8 to 16 at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 10. Tickets are $24 and $20 for seniors and students, Thursdays and Sundays only. For tickets call 416-396-4049.