My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Utah Rep to Stage Utah Premiere of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN

By:
In their tradition of bringing unique shows to the Salt Lake theater community, Utah Repertory Theater Company will present the Utah premiere of the Tony-winning musical Kiss of the Spider Woman from April 21 through May 7.

Based on the Manuel Puig novel "El Beso de la Mujer Araña," Kiss of the Spider Woman depicts the daily conversations between two cellmates in an Argentine prison, homosexual Molina and revolutionary Valentín. Their only reprieve comes from Molina's stories about the "Spider Woman," a film actress named Aurora.

"Molina's obsession with the Spider Woman is incredibly compelling," says director Johnny Hebda. "The show takes a hard look at masculinity, femininity, and sexual identity. Those ideas still feel remarkably fresh in our world today."

This is Hebda's sixth directing project with Utah Rep. Like many of his previous works, the material is somewhat dark. "I am often drawn to darker, thought-provoking shows that make people reflect on their values," he says.

The production stars local favorites including Kenny Wayne Parrish as Molina, Juan Pereira as Valentín, and Erin Royall Carlson as the Spider Woman.

According to Hebda, the staging for Spider Woman will put audience members right into the prison. "My goal is to make the piece very immersive and in some ways almost claustrophobic for the audience," says Hebda. " I want them to feel as if they are in a neighboring prison cell peaking in on Molina and Valentín."

Kiss of the Spider Woman first opened on Broadway in 1993, where it won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Utah Rep's production is only one of two taking place anywhere in the US during 2017.

Kiss of the Spider Woman will run Fridays and Saturdays from April 21 through May 6. Evening performances are at 7:30 pm, with Saturday matinee performances at 2:00. There will also be a special matinee performance on Sunday, May 7 at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $17.00 for students and seniors and can be purchased online at www.utahrep.org. The Sorenson Unity Center is located at 1383 S 900 W, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Lead Performer in a Musical - Top 3
1. LJ Benet - The Lost Boys, A New Musical
20.4% of votes
2. Joshua Henry - Ragtime
15.7% of votes
3. Sam Tutty - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
9.7% of votes

Need more Utah Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Disney & Pixar's Finding Nemo: A 70-Minute Family Musical in Utah Disney & Pixar's Finding Nemo: A 70-Minute Family Musical
Tuacahn Amphitheatre (5/01-10/24)
Les Misérables in Utah Les Misérables
Tuacahn Amphitheatre (5/15-10/23)
Utah Symphony: Markus Poschner - Bruckner's Symphony No. 4 in Utah Utah Symphony: Markus Poschner - Bruckner's Symphony No. 4
Abravanel Hall (11/08-5/23)
Shrek The Musical in Utah Shrek The Musical
On Pitch Performing Arts (8/07-8/29)
Roald Dahl’s MATILDA: THE MUSICAL in Utah Roald Dahl’s MATILDA: THE MUSICAL
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre (7/03-7/18)
2026 Night Nation Run - Salt Lake City, UT in Utah 2026 Night Nation Run - Salt Lake City, UT
America First Field (6/06-6/06)
Beetlejuice Jr. in Utah Beetlejuice Jr.
On Pitch Performing Arts (5/21-5/30)
Grease in Utah Grease
Tuacahn Amphitheatre (7/10-10/22)
Dear Evan Hansen in Utah Dear Evan Hansen
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre (9/12-10/03)
Cinderella  in Utah Cinderella
Old Barn Community Theatre (7/10-8/01)