Further casting announced for Made at Curve’s KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN
Further casting has been revealed for the upcoming revival of John Kander and Fred Ebb’s musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, which play in Curve Leicester’s Studio Theatre from 3-25 April before visiting Bristol and Southampton.
Joining the previously announced George Blagden as Valentin and Anna-Jane Casey as Aurora is rising star Fabian Soto Pacheco (Guys & Dolls, Frinton Summer Theatre; Dear Evan Hansen, Luciernaga Producciónes, Teatro Auditorio Nacional, Costa Rica) as Molina, Gabriela Garcia (West Side Story, Royal Exchange) as Marta, Tori Blake Scott (Guys And Dolls, Bridge Theatre) as Molina’s Mother, Jay Rincon (The Sea Horse, Golden Goose Theatre) as the Warden, and Damian Buhagiar (My Fair Lady, Curve) as the Guard. The company is completed by ensemble cast members Jess Buckby (Cruel Intentions, The Other Palace), Alex Pinder (Fiddler On The Roof, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), and Davide Fienauri (White Christmas, Curve).
Fabian Soto Pacheco takes on the role of Molina from Layton Williams, who has withdrawn from the production.
Layton Williams said: “Walking away from this production was an incredibly tough decision, and not one I made lightly. What Director Paul Foster and the team are putting together is truly magical, but an opportunity arose that I simply couldn’t turn down.
“While I’m sad to be leaving the show, I know the production is going to be absolutely incredible, and I’m sending all my love to the company, including Fabian, who is going to make a remarkable Molina.
“Finally, I’d like to say a huge thank you to the teams at Curve, Bristol Old Vic, Mayflower Southampton, and everyone who has helped me navigate this situation. I’ll forever be indebted to you and hope we can collaborate again in the future.
“To everyone else: please make sure you book tickets to see Kiss of the Spider Woman! It really is going to be an unmissable show.”
Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, on behalf of the co-producers, said: “We are thrilled to share news of our full company for Kiss of the Spider Woman. Fabian Soto Pacheco joins Anna-Jane Casey and George Blagden to lead this beautiful show, a rare opportunity to see one of the great landmark Broadway musicals from Kander and Ebb.
“Acclaimed director Paul Foster and his team have brought together a phenomenal company and whilst we are sorry to see Layton leave the production, we wish him every continued success. Layton has enjoyed a long relationship with our audiences and we very much look forward to welcoming him back to Curve in the future. In the meantime, we are proud to share this extraordinary production with audiences in Leicester, Bristol and Southampton.”
Mayflower Southampton, Curve and Bristol Old Vic’s co-production of Kiss of the Spider Woman is the first major UK revival of the musical since 1992.
Obsession or salvation? One kiss from the Spider Woman can change everything.
In a brutal prison, Molina – condemned for his sexuality, and Valentin – a political prisoner, are forced into an unlikely friendship in the cell they share. To escape their harsh reality, Molina conjures dazzling fantasies of glamorous movies, spinning tales of the seductive and dangerous Spider Woman. As their conditions worsen and the line between truth and fiction blurs, the two men find a deeper connection – one that could cost them everything.
Kiss of the Spider Woman is directed by Paul Foster, with choreography by Joanna Goodwin, set design by David Woodhead, costumes by Gabriella Slade, orchestrations and arrangements by Sarah Travis, lighting by Howard Hudson, sound by Matt Peploe, and casting by Stuart Burt CDG.
For more info on Kiss of the Spider Woman, please click here.