For Immediate Release: October 3, 2006
Media Contact: David Golston, InterAct Theatre Company, 215.568.8077

On Wednesday, October 25, at 7:00 p.m., InterAct Theatre Company marks Opening Night of the first show in its 2006/2007 Season, with Manuel Puig’s KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, the intimate, intense, tender and startling stage play, revealing an unlikely love story between two men imprisoned by an oppressive government.

ABOUT THE PLAY
Adapted from Puig’s acclaimed novel prior to its incarnations as a powerful film and Broadway hit musical, the original stage play remains a searing drama about two Argentinean men – a gay window dresser and a socialist rebel – forced to share a claustrophobic jail cell. Imprisoned by an oppressive government for their beliefs and their lifestyle, each man comes to find solace in the other’s company, as the line between the erotic and the political begins to blur. Intimate, intense, tender and startling, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN reveals an unlikely love story in the most inhuman and grueling of circumstances.

To read the entire interview with Seth Rozin, director of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, please visit www.InterActTheatre.org.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT & TRANSLATOR
Manuel Puig (Playwright) (1932-1990) was an Argentinean playwright, novelist and screenwriter. He won major international prizes for his novels which have been published in at least fourteen languages. His works include the semi-autobiographical La Traicin de Rita Hayworth (Betrayed by Rita Hayworth), Boquitas Pintadas (Heartbreak Tango), Sangre de Amour Correspondido (Blood of Requited Love) and Misterio del Ramo de Rosas (Mystery of the Rose Bouquet) presented in London 1987; but he is probably best remembered for KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (El Beso de la Mujer Araña), first published as a novel in 1976, before being adapted into the smash-hit stage play, award-winning feature film and long-running Broadway musical, all with the same title.

Allan Baker (Translator) read Spanish and French at Cambridge. KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN was his first translation. He also did the adaptation and screenplay of Storia di una Capinera (Sparrow) (1993). His television work includes Dead Entry (1987), Aliens in the Family (1987), Just William (1994), and El Tránsfuga (2003).

ABOUT THE CAST & CREW
InterAct Theatre's production of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN will be directed by Seth Rozin (InterAct Theatre Company’s Producing Artistic Director) and will feature Frank X (as Molina) and Vaneik Echeverria (as Valentin). The design team for KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN will include Set Design by Marka Suber, Sound & Lighting Design by Shannon Zura, and Costume Design by Susan Smythe. The production will be Stage Managed by Michele Traub and Andy Campbell will serve as Technical Director.

Seth Rozin (Director) co-founded InterAct Theatre Company in 1988, and has since served as Producing Artistic Director. He has directed over 30 productions for InterAct, including Israel Horovitz's LEBENSRAUM (1999 Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Play, Outstanding Overall Production of a Play, and Outstanding Ensemble), IT'S ALL TRUE (2001 Barrymore nominations for Outstanding Director and Outstanding Overall Production) and PERMANENT COLLECTION (nominated for Outstanding Overall Production). He has twice been named "Best Director" by the Philadelphia Inquirer for the world premiere of Thomas Gibbons' 6221 and for LEBENSRAUM. Other favorite productions with InterAct include the world premiere of PERMANENT COLLECTION and the Philadelphia premieres of BLUE/ORANGE, NIXON'S NIXON, AUNT DAN AND LEMON, LONELY PLANET, SEASCAPE, and GOD'S COUNTRY. Seth has also directed for the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles, Blue Heron Theatre and the 45th Street Theatre in New York, as well as regionally with Act II Playhouse, Venture Theatre, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Philadelphia Young Playwrights Festival, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Frank X (as Molina) marks his 10th production at InterAct Theatre Company with KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN. He was last seen at InterAct in the World Premiere production of Thomas Gibbons’ PERMANENT COLLECTION, which won a 2004 Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play. Other Interact productions include BLACK RUSSIAN; 6221: PROPHECY AND TRAGEDY; and LONELY PLANET, for which he received the Barrymore Award as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play. Originally trained as a dancer and playwright, he has performed widely throughout the Philadelphia area with such institutions as The Lantern Theatre Company (KING LEAR, DEATH AND THE KING’S HORSEMEN and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING), Act II Playhouse (LOUIS’ LOTTERY) and Theatre Exile (RHINOCEROS). He currently appearing as Sam in The Lantern Theatre production of MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS.

Vaneik Echeverria (as Valentin) is making his InterAct Theater Company debut with KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, but Philadelphia audiences might recognize him as Angel Cruz in The Wilma Theater’s JESUS HOPPED THE A TRAIN, for which he was nominated for Best Lead Actor at the 2004 Barrymore Awards. Other credits include: Off & Off-Off Broadway: THE RUBY SUNRISE (The Public Theater), PARADISE (The Kirk Theater); Regional: JESUS HOPPED THE A TRAIN (2003 Outstanding Play of the Year, Pillsbury House Theater), I DON’T HAVE TO SHOW YOU NO STINKING BADGES! (El Teatro Compesino), TIMON OF ATHENS (The Shakespeare Theatre Company, DC), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (The Guthrie), THE TEMPEST (Vermont Shakespeare Festival), and STAND-UP TRAGEDY (PCPA Theaterfest). Vaneik received an MFA from the University of Delaware's Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP) and is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA).

ABOUT THE ISSUES
During the run of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, InterAct will host several post-performance talk-backs to encourage further discussion on the issues raised. Speaker Sundays, a series featuring invited scholars, community leaders and artists, are scheduled to follow matinee performances on October 29, November 5 and 12. The speaker line-up will include guests from the ACLU of Pennsylvania and Amnesty International of Greater Philadelphia. For a schedule of guest speakers, call InterAct at 215-568-8079. Coffee Conversations, an informal discussion with the production's artists and designers, sponsored by Whole Foods, are scheduled to follow performances on October 31, as well as November 1, 7 and 8.

DATES, TICKETS & SUBSCRIPTIONS
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN runs for 27 performances, October 20 – November 19, 2006, with Opening Night on Wednesday, October 25. Performances are Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Individual tickets are available. Tickets for preview performances are $15.00; Tuesday through Thursday performances are $22.00; and Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees are $25.00. InterAct offers a discounts for senior citizens and full-time students (with valid I.D.). Group rates are available, and students with proper I.D. may purchase Rush Tickets for $8.00 five minutes before curtain (based on availability). All performances take place at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom Street, Philadelphia.

Subscriptions are now available for the InterAct’s 19th Season, ranging from $53 to $94. Subscription information is available by calling 215-568-8079; by dropping by the InterAct Theatre Company box office at The Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA; or by visiting InterAct Theatre Company’s website at www.InterActTheatre.org.

ABOUT INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY
Founded in 1988, InterAct is a theatre for today's world, producing new and contemporary plays that explore the social, political, and cultural issues of our time. InterAct's aim is to educate, as well as entertain, its audiences, by producing world-class, thought-provoking productions, and by using theatre as a tool to foster positive social change. Through its artistic and educational programs, InterAct seeks to make a significant contribution to the cultural life of Philadelphia and to the American theatre.

In addition to the 4-play mainstage season, InterAct Theatre’s major programming includes InterAction, a program of experiential workshops and residencies in area schools that utilize theatre as a tool to illuminate pressing social problems in the community; New Play Development, working closely with playwrights to develop plays that adhere to the company's mission; Writing Aloud, an award-winning series of Monday evening events in which short fiction by the region's best writers is read aloud by professional actors; and the Kaki Marshall Arts and Community Award, an annual fundraising event that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the lively arts in Philadelphia.

WHAT’S COMING UP AT INTERACT
Beginning in January 2007, InterAct continues its 2006/2007 Season with the World Premiere of Thomas Gibbons’ A HOUSE WITH NO WALLS, featuring Johnnie Hobbes Jr., and then continues with the World Premiere of WHEN SOMETHING WONDERFUL ENDS, written by Sherry Kramer; and concludes with the East Cost Premiere of SKIN IN FLAMES, written by Guillem Clua and translated by DJ Sanders.

Due to the nature of live theatre, play selection, performance and casting are subject to change.

InterAct’s production of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN is presented with support from ACLU of Pennsylvania and Amnesty International of Greater Philadelphia. Opening Night reception sponsored by Café Habanna.

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