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Kiss of the Spider Woman: Jennifer Lopez Takes the Stage
In her latest venture, Jennifer Lopez steps into the role originally made famous by Chita Rivera on Broadway in the musical adaptation of *Kiss of the Spider Woman*. Beyond this immediate project, Lopez has long harbored aspirations of starring in various Broadway productions.
During an interview at the Sundance Film Festival, Lopez reminisced about her past auditions, sharing, “I remember auditioning for Evita, I remember auditioning for Chicago.” She revealed that she got “really close” to landing a role in *Nine*, highlighting that there were numerous opportunities she had wished to pursue, but the timing never aligned. “There were a lot of things that I had always hoped I could do and it just wasn’t the right time,” she elaborated.
The film version of *Evita*, featuring Madonna in the lead role, debuted in 1996. Subsequent musicals *Chicago* and *Nine*, both directed by Rob Marshall, showcased performances by Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Marion Cotillard, and Penélope Cruz. Additionally, Lopez mentioned her near-casting in a film adaptation of *Bye Bye Birdie*, expressing her enthusiasm for the character Rosie DeLeon. “I even talked about directing it at one point. I don’t know, we’ll see, my fingers are always crossed,” she added, reflecting on her hopes for future projects.
The much-anticipated film adaptation of *Kiss of the Spider Woman*, directed by Bill Condon, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this past weekend. For those interested, reviews of the film can be found online.
Originally a Tony Award-winning production, *Kiss of the Spider Woman* garnered seven awards in 1993, including Best Musical. Based on Manuel Puig’s novel, the story delves into the intricate relationship between two men imprisoned in a Latin American jail under contrasting circumstances. The musical features a book by Terrence McNally, with music composed by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.
In the narrative, ValentÃn, a political prisoner, finds himself sharing a cell with Molina, a window dresser convicted of public indecency. Together, they forge an unexpected friendship as Molina shares tales of his favorite Hollywood musical starring the beloved Ingrid Luna.
Bill Condon, known for his work on films like *Dreamgirls*, the *Twilight* series, and Disney’s live-action *Beauty and the Beast*, takes the reins as both writer and director of this adaptation. The star-studded cast includes Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, Jennifer Lopez, Bruno Bichir, Josefina Scaglione, and Aline Mayagoitia, all contributing to the film’s rich tapestry of talent.
Source
www.broadwayworld.com