Dressing Them Up: Hunter Foster Will Be Molina in DC Spider Woman

By Kenneth Jones
January 9, 2008

Tony Award nominee Hunter Foster will star as window dresser Molina in Signature Theatre's new production of Kander, Ebb and McNally's musical, Kiss of the Spider Woman, in Arlington, VA, March 11-April 20.

The actor known for Broadway's recent Little Shop of Horrors (for which he was Tony nommed), Urinetown and The Producers will play an imprisoned gay man who cherishes the work of a glamorous film actress (played by the previously announced Nastascia Diaz).

Casting has not yet been announced for the role of Valentin, Molina's revolutionary cellmate in the Latin American prison. Eric Schaeffer, artistic director of Signature Theatre, will direct the revival.

Spider Woman is one of three musicals by composer John Kander and the late lyricist Fred Ebb being staged March-June 2008 in Signature's "Kander & Ebb Celebration." The mainstage tribute will also feature productions of The Visit starring George Hearn and Chita Rivera, and The Happy Time.

Terrence McNally penned the libretto to Kiss of the Spider Woman, based on the novel by Manuel Puig. A non-musical play and film of the property also exist.

Foster was just seen as Dr. Frankenstein in the serious Off-Broadway production of Frankenstein, a New Musical. Other recent credits include Leo Bloom in Broadway's The Producers, Ben in Modern Orthodox, and Ensign Pulver in Mister Roberts at the Kennedy Center. Foster wrote the book for the 2001 musical Summer of '42, recently seen at Bethesda's Roundhouse Theater and previously presented Off-Broadway. He recently finished co-writing a musical adaptation of the hit film "Bonnie and Clyde."

Subscriptions to the Kander & Ebb Celebration are available by calling Signature Theatre's box office at (703) 820-9771 or by visiting www.signature-theatre.org.