Due to a delay in renovations to their Encore Room Theatre, the Coconut Grove Playhouse will postpone their production of Manuel Puig's The Kiss of the Spider Woman, starring Tomas Milian and Chaz Mena, until January 1999. The new production dates have previews beginning 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 based their 1993 Tony Award-winning musical of the same name on the novel as well.

The 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 be playing, 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