Back in November 1998, PBOL reported that due to a delay in renovations to their Encore Room Theatre, the Coconut Grove Playhouse postponed their production of Manuel Puig's The Kiss of the Spider Woman, starring Tomas Milian and Chaz Mena, until January 1999. The delayed production is now set to begin previews Jan. 19, with a Jan. 22 through Mar. 28, 1999 run.

The Kiss of the Spider Woman adapted by Manuel Puig from his novel, begins in a South American prison, where cell mates Valentin, a political prisoner, and Molina, jailed for homosexuality, form a friendship based on their common bond of persecution. Kander and Ebb used this play (which itself was based on Puig's novel) as the basis for their 1993 Tony Award-winning musical of the same name .

The original delay in scheduling also pushes back The Grove's production of Ariel Dorfman's Death and the Maiden, which was originally slated for the January dates but will now play April 6-June 13, 1999.

For tickets or more information on The Coconut Grove Playhouse's 1998 99 Season, call (305) 442-4000.

-- By Sean McGrath