Kiss of the Spiderwoman

FIRST LOOK AT KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN

Here's your first look at KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN The Musical that opens March 31st at the Rose Marine Theater. Tickets now on Sale!


FEEL HER KISS - This Spring at the Rose Marine Theater
Kiss of the Spiderwoman: (Left tor Right; Emily Kate Hardy (The Spiderwoman), Keith J. Warren (Valentin), Jason Robert Villarreal (Molina).

Directed by Adam Adolfo
Photo by Shannon Atkinson

Getting the Call

To survive an Adam Adolfo audition is not an easy feat to accomplish; I know. I’ve survived three! They are far from typical, completely unexpected, in your face and personal space, and everything an actor wanting to grow desires from a director. Most of the time, you won’t learn this about the director until the rehearsal process has begun, but not with Adam. He lays it all out there for you, right in your face. It’s a big reason why I continue to audition for him.

When I first learned that he was directing Kiss of the Spiderwoman, I knew this was a show I wanted to be a part of in some way, shape, or form. I preferred the form of the Spiderwoman. The role of the Spiderwoman is an iconic role and would give me a chance to really stretch my abilities and take on a leading role; a title role. This could be a huge opportunity to redefine myself as a leading lady and not just a comedic character, which I often play. Though I love playing the bold, brassy, funny woman in a show, I know that I want to be seen as an actor who can tackle a leading role and shine in it. So, I signed up for the audition.
The audition requirement was a 2 minute monologue, memorized (typical) and a song in the style of the show (typical, again). These were the only things typical of the audition. I searched relentlessly for a monologue and struggled with what song to sing. I found the perfect combination, practiced every chance I got, forced my sister to listen to my monologue at least 15 times, and sang in my car, shower, living room, kitchen; I’m sure my neighbors love me. I arrived for the audition; nervous as all get out, but prepared. I went in and sang and preformed my monologue. Adam and Josh, both, gave me some suggestions they needed to hear for my pieces. I performed those and was asked to come to callbacks the next day.


Callbacks were not at all what I had expected. I was to sing the title song “Kiss of the Spiderwoman”. I went in with Josh to learn the notes and was then to perform it for Adam. So, I did. He was not entertained. He gave me some suggestions to change the performance. I took them and changed it up; it was not enough. He gave me an emotional scenario to play and still he wanted more. He knew he could get more from me. He then had some of the production staff physically try and restrain me as I sang the song. I was getting fed up and aggravated. He told me to go and look over the words and take a break. Several minutes later, I came back to sing again. He asked me if I was ok, first. I said I was very emotional. He said, “Let go, lose control.” I began to sing again; something was different this time. I finished the song and Adam stood there staring at me. He said, “I’m offering you the part of the Spiderwoman right now.”

What just happened? These were the only words floating in my head at that moment that I could even understand. What just happened? I stared back at Adam as though he were nuts. He said, “Emily, I’m offering you the lead right here and now.” I just stared at him. I was in shock, but was starting to come to. He just offered me the lead; right there. There it was staring me in the face; my chance, my opportunity, my starring role. I started crying. I looked at him and said, “Yes”. He came up to me and hugged me and I just lost it. I sobbed. I let it all out. He pulled my shoulders back and looked me in the eye and said, “I make you this promise now. I won’t let you fail.” What an amazing thing for a director to say to an actor. I won’t let you fail. I hugged him and said, “thank you.” He pulled back and said, “Now, go call your best friend and your boyfriend because I know you can’t keep a secret from them, but no one else knows until we announce the cast list Monday.” I made those calls, cried again as I relived the moments I had just experienced with each of them, and giggled and screamed with excitement and happiness.

So, here I am. I am living a dream of mine. I am scared. I am happy. I am nervous. I am confident. I have a director who believes in me and my abilities. I am Emily Kate Hardy and I am the Spiderwoman. Feel my kiss.

How to Throw a Viesta

About a year ago, I was sitting in a meeting at the Rose Marine Theatre with the Artes de la Rosa programming committee. Adam Adolfo, our artistic leader presented an idea. Without speaking, he simply placed a book on the table. It was Eve Ensler's play, The Vagina Monologues. All the women at the table, including me, burst into applause. I was thrilled. My immediate thought was "can we?, dare we?, For our Latino community? Are you serious? Bold! hmmm...I must direct this!" My mind was racing.

At first, I remembered my own experience with the show. Years ago, I performed for V-Day in Detroit. Memories started flooding back. I did Coochie Snorcher. I had a southern dialect. It was a performance to me. 10 years later, as I began to prepare as director, I realize that this is not only a play, but a global movement.

Thinking about the staging of the play, I had elaborate ideas. When I began to research the cause, I realized that the staging and set meant nothing compared to the message. This is about giving voice to something bigger than a bunch of women talking about 'down there'. So much more.

Theatre has the power to unite, educate, and bring about change. At first I felt overwhelmed. How will I do this?

Eve Ensler has given us the words to share. My job is to bring it to our community with integrity and consciousness. I have directed and produced hundreds of plays in my 20 plus years theatre career, but I have never directed something so important.

The next challenge: unite a bilingual cast...the next chapter (or blog, shall we say)...

Yvonne Duque
Director, Advocate, Artes de la Rosa Board Member

Casting the Spider

Today intern and casting assistant Nicole Moreno talks to us alittle about the art of casting and what it is like for us to take on the mammoth job of finding the perfect cast for Kiss of the Spiderwoman.

The casting process is one of the most time consuming parts of putting on a show. It literally takes days. Now, I’m assuming that the director and his assistant know more or less what to expect from the people pouring in to audition. However, Kiss of the Spiderwoman was only my second show to work as casting assistant, and I had no earthly clue what to expect. By the end of it, I was amazed.

There were so many different people auditioning, it’s a wonder that the director, Adam Adolfo, can pick out just a few for the show. I heard beautiful sopranos and mezzos, lovely tenors and basses. Some less then lovely but the theatricality was breath-taking with just about everyone that auditioned. The talent was vast, and to get to experience it all was fantastic.

As different people start coming in one starts to wonder about them. How they are, how they will sing. Will they blow our minds? Will it be utterly disappointing? Are we going to be able to get the best cast for this? I’ve found that with so many talented actors in DFW, the last question is an obvious yes. What Adam has taught me, however, is that it’s not just about being a great actor or singer. It’s about being a great performer. One has to be able to move the audience in a way thought impossible and leave them longing for more.

So to find the absolute right cast is a rather tedious job, but it’s a job that we definitely are getting done. We still have two more days of auditions next week - it's hard to believe that the stakes can get any higher, but believe me - THEY CAN! (And probably will!) All the actors are giving the best they’ve got to be part of this memorable, heartbreaking show. Don’t miss it!

The Spark of Creation

Over the next 12 weeks, we will be bringing you blogs from the production staff, artistic staff, and cast for the Artes de la Rosa production of the Kander and Ebb Musical, KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN. Today's blog comes from Executive Director Adam Adolfo, who is also directing the show! Enjoy what he has to say on the first steps to making a show!


You’re told, “You’re directing this show!” and you say, “Great!” First comes blinding excitement. Then comes remorseful dread! That’s immediately followed by encompassing doubt!! Which leads us to TOTAL PANIC!

What am I gonna do?!
How am I supposed to direct this?!
Where will I find the talent?!
What if people hate it?!
What if it’s a flop?!!
WHAT IF WHAT IF WHAT IF!!!!!!!

Then in the middle of the night you’re awoken by a dream - or maybe you’re in line at Starbucks getting your Green Tea Latte - or just maybe you’re in the shower thinking about how to tell the producer, you’re not the right person to direct this show – when it happens! It’s a flicker of an idea - more like a spark – and suddenly you have ‘creation’ and your intuition meets with your ambition to devise innovation along side your imagination and you begin the process known as conceptualization

You magically see it. You feel it. If the ‘spark of creation’ is that good, you might even taste it! Conceptualization is the process of devising your show - The process that makes the play or musical ‘yours’. You may have seen Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing before, but it’s completely different with each directors unique eye for story telling and it is their hunger, passion, desire, and spirit that leads them to direct the show with their own special vision.

Artistic Vision is the key to great stage storytelling. You can always tell when the production lacked vision. The stage fails to sizzle. The actors fail to crackle with excitement. The audience doesn’t simmer as the story unfolds. “It all is lackluster. It lacks – well luster.”

When the vision is strong…it’s like an itch. Persistent and occasionally annoying. You suddenly can’t do anything but focus all your energy and attention on flushing out the concept to make sure it really works with the story. This is simultaneously a blessing and a curse. Why? Well, you need the opportunity to decide whether the concept is any good or if it’s the director’s pure vanity that makes it ‘exciting’. This stage is critical or you end up with dud shows like “HAMLET” (in Hawaii).

More often then not your intuition will not lead you astray and the concept – once tweaked - is actually a great addition to the story the play is telling and is providing to the audience something new that they had never experienced before. Additionally it is showcasing the director’s special brand of Artistic Vision.

When does this happen? Months – sometimes years – before the director ever gets to the audition. Before the director even gets his designers… this spark of creation is the first seed required to raise the crop known as a show. And the field it grows on is the one of the imagination.

The imagination…the initial spark of creation couldn’t exist with out it and it is the director’s playground. That’s where I started with Kiss of the Spiderwoman - In the imagination. A single idea. A kernel. A grain that will lead us – in the next 12 weeks – to a dark, decadent, and dramatic musical that will be unlike anything you have ever seen onstage at the Rose Marine Theater.

Are you ready for it?

BEHIND THE SCENES OF KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN

Want to be "BEHIND THE SCENES OF KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN"? Well you can! Starting Monday the 10th, ever Monday and Thursday, the Artes de la Rosa Blog will be updated by a member of the cast or one of the brilliant designers working on the show. It's your chance to get a sneak peak at what is going on to get the MUSICAL, Kiss of the Spiderwoman off the ground and into the air!

KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN

Artes de la Rosa @ the Rose Marine Theater
Seeks Staff for Kander & Ebb's KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN



Kiss of the Spider Woman: The Musical

March 31st Through Saturday April 9th

From the creators of CHICAGO & CABARET comes this ground breaking musical’s powerful portrayal of 2 men forced to share a cell in a Latin American prison. Adapted from Manuel Puig’s novel this is a heartbreaking night of theatre. Directed by Adam Adolfo.

Artes de la Rosa @ the Rose Marine Theater is searching for qualified technical theatre artists to fill the listed technical positions in costuming, lighting, properties, scenic construction & scene painting, and stage management for the following shows:

Stipends for technical positions vary based on commitment and experience. This is an excellent opportunity for college students looking for professional credits. Although the technical crews are asked to do a tremendous amount of work, Artes de la Rosa attempts to create an environment that is both nurturing and fun while creating a spirit of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST CONTAIN A CURRENT E-MAIL ADDRESS, TWO CONTACT REFERENCES, IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED.

To apply send a résumé with current mailing address, telephone number, and Email address and letters of recommendation or references to:

Artes de la Rosa
@ The Rose Marine Theater
1440 North Main Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76164
Or vial em@il to:
info "at" rosemarinetheater.com

Stage Manager
Responsibilities:
Will serve as a liaison between the director and department heads; responsible for the running and organization of daily rehearsals; responsible for scheduling and posting rehearsal and production calls and any other stage management duties that are deemed necessary and appropriate while working within the parameters of the production schedule; responsible for calling, from the booth, the show; works with the technical director and department heads to determine needs for running crews for show; and attend all schedule rehearsals, paper techs, dry techs, and technical rehearsals.

Music Director
Responsibilities:
Artes de la Rosa seeks a musical director/orchestrator for its upcoming production of Kiss of the Spiderwoman. Candidates should demonstrate strong leadership skills, be skilled in the teaching of music, have excellent communication skills, be dependable, have a positive attitude and be able to be a team player. We are seeking artists who possess imagination, flexibility and the desire to work with children and adults of varied ages in a creatively charged and artistically demanding, yet nurturing environment. Experience in Musical Theatre a must. Experience re-orchestrating large Broadway styled scores desirable. Experience with Latin styles of music a plus.

Choreographer
Responsibilities:
Artes de la Rosa seeks a choreographer for its upcoming production of Kiss of the Spiderwoman. Qualified candidates will have strong background in choreographing and enjoy working as part of a combination professional and training environment. We are seeking artists who possess imagination, flexibility and the desire to in a creatively charged and artistically demanding, yet nurturing environment. Applicants must be prepared to work as a member of a strong creative team, and to work quickly towards the end goal, while still giving focus to the artistic process. The ideal candidate can teach a variety of dance styles. Applicants must demonstrate experience teaching a wide range of abilities.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Trailer

Inside Artes de la Rosa with Abel Flores Jr.

Today Artes de la Rosa sits down with recent Birthday Boy Abel Flores, Jr. who can soon be seen onstage in Artes de la Rosa’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof playing the role of Reverend Tooker.
• Born & Raised: I was born in Houston and raised in Wills Point, TX.
• Education: I’m currently a Junior at UTD and I’m an Art & Performance major.
• Zodiac Sign: Leo
• First Play/Musical You Ever Saw: My first play I saw was Antigone at my high school.
• Must See TV Show: Seinfeld
• Why you work in theatre: There is nothing like theatre. It’s demanding, challenging and the moments I spend onstage don’t compare to anything else I’ve done in life. It gives me the opportunity to have a different perspective on things. Plus, I like cast parties.
• First Role: C.C Showers in The Diviners
• Favorite Play: It’s a tie between The Odd Couple and The Producers.
• Pop Culture Guilty Pleasure: I could watch Food Network all day.
• First Stage Kiss: I was Paul in Barefoot in the Park. It was a lot of kissing for a first stage kiss. I’ve never brushed my teeth so much.
• Pre Show Rituals: I like to stretch and chat it up with my fellow castmates.
• Special Skills: I’ve been told I’m good at some impersonations. I’m a big fan of Christopher Walken….just saying.
• Worst Costume Ever: I played an old man in One Act Play in high school and had to shave the top part of my head so I could look like I was balding. You can take off a bad costume…you can’t take off a bad hairdo.
• Favorite Post Show Meal: Beer and Nachos (lots of both)
• Biggest On Stage Mishap: It wasn’t so much a mishap as it was a series of unfortunate events. I was in a production where more than half of the cast and crew had the flu during the last weekend of shows. It was grueling!
• Best thing about Fort Worth & the North Side: Artes de la Rosa!!!