Welcome to One Show to See This Week. Every Monday I send out a newsletter with the one play or musical I think you should buy a ticket for in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in the next seven days, along with tips for discounts and things to do in the area, because I think theater should be part of your weekly routine. My inbox is always open, as are my DMs. Glad you’re here!
Not a subscriber yet? Sign up below. You’ll get a confirmation email. If you don’t see it, check your spam folder.
One Show to See This Week
Kiss of the Spider Woman
Teatro del Pueblo
The Southern Theater, 1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55454
November 14th – 23rd
You’ve maybe heard about the Kiss of the Spider Woman movie that came out back in October starring Jennifer Lopez, though considering it was a major flop ($1.66 million at the box office so far against a reported $34 million budget), maybe you haven’t. In either case, it appears to already be out of theaters in Minnesota, but this week it’s set to hit streaming — you can preorder it on YouTube for $20.
For only a few bucks more, I’ll do you one better: You can go see this John Kander (music), Fred Ebb (lyrics), and Terrence McNally (book) musical, based on a novel by Manuel Puig, live at the Southern Theater staged by Teatro del Pueblo.
If you’ve never heard of this musical before, go because the story is achingly timely: two men thrown together in an Argentine prison during the Dirty War — one for acts related to his homosexuality, one for being a leftist revolutionary working against the brutal military dictatorship — form an unlikely bond in their fight for freedom. If you’ve heard of it but never seen it, go because it’s rarely staged here in Minnesota (especially compared to Kander and Ebb’s big hits, Cabaret and Chicago). And if you have seen it before, go because Alberto Justiniano, the director as well as Teatro del Pueblo’s artistic director and co-founder, promises a reimagined musical.
“This production invites audiences to see beauty in defiance,” he said in a statement. “Through passionate music and all new choreography, Kiss of the Spider Woman reveals how love survives even when the world tries to cage it.”
What to Do Before or After
If I’m in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, where the Southern Theater is located, I’m always going to consider stopping in at Hard Times for a bite. Vegetarian/vegan food, cash only, open until midnight — a college favorite of mine, but admittedly not for everyone, and maybe not ideal for pre- or post-show hangs if you want to imbibe. If you do, Acadia is a similarly affordable spot with great bar food, a great beer selection, and late hours. If you’re not into the collegiate vibe, hop across 35W and check out Milly’s Wine Bar & Bistro — I went there before Little Shop of Horrors at the Guthrie and it was a fun little spot. Let the waitstaff pick a wine for you.
How Much Are Tickets? Any Discounts?
Tickets are general admission, but Teatro del Pueblo generously offers you a choice of prices on a sliding scale. The suggested price is $35, but you can also scoop tickets for $45 (the Pay It Forward tier) or $25 (the Accessible tier), or even $20 during the one Saturday matinee. So actually, you can get a ticket equal to the price of buying the recent movie on streaming.
Next Monday: A Theater-Adjacent Concert You Should Know About
For my side note this week, I want to encourage everyone to attend “Moms & Music: A Benefit Concert for Planned Parenthood” at Crooners Supper Club in Fridley on Monday, November 17th. If you see theater regularly in the Twin Cities, you’ll know a lot of the performers who are taking the stage at this jam-packed benefit: Erin Capello Kopp (Passion, Waitress), Serena Brook, Regina Marie Williams, Kim Kivens, Andrea Mislan, Angela Timberman, and many more.
Theatermakers are being hit hard these days with cuts to arts funding, but there are so many other critical services facing budget shortfalls (among other attacks) right now, including Planned Parenthood. It’s heartening and inspiring to see these artists come together to raise money for such a worthy cause. Plus, Crooners is just a gem of a venue.
So, Purple Rain Opened…
Did you read my full review yet? I had a lot to say. Truth be told, I have even more to say (including plenty about the other reviews floating out there…), but I wanted to keep it to a length people would actually read. I’d love to hear your thoughts about the musical if you’ve seen it; feel free to drop them in the comments of the review.
Question of the Week
Speaking of mixed reviews, that’s what I’ve heard about the new Kiss of the Spider Woman movie, which has me thinking about movie adaptations of musicals and how I’ve found them to be a polarizing collection. Prime example: I know many people dislike (loathe?) the Phantom of the Opera movie, but…you’re all wrong. It’s a near-perfect adaptation, and no one can convince me otherwise. Anyone got another movie musical hot take you want to share?
See you here next week!
Alex
Leave a comment