Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"..."Kiss of the Spider Woman" is, for better or worse, not so much a pastiche as a deeply political musical about a gay man deciding whether he has the guts to stand up and fight for freedom. Especially now, there can be no compromise there."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Vividly directed by Peter Marston Sullivan (whose superb production of "Floyd Collins" was one of the overlooked gems at Monday's non-Equity Jeffs ceremony), the BoHo production features music direction by Elizabeth Doran, whose five-piece band sounds like an orchestra, and choreography by Linda Fortunato, who puts some real Latin punch into a terrific chorus of male dancer-singers. Patrick Ham's fully environmental steel catwalk set (artfully lit by Diane Fairchild, and infused with terrifying sound by Peter Robel), positions the audience right inside the prison cell. A living hell."
Centerstage - Recommended
"...McNally’s book is absorbing but the soundtrack is less than soaring. A major exception is the heartbreaking duet between Molina and his mother (Caron Buinis) as she assuages his fears that she would ever be ashamed of him. Theater Wit’s small space helps to create an appropriately claustrophobic prison atmosphere. Carroll infuses Molina with wit, sympathy and resourcefulness while Martin’s Valentin is the right combination of surly machismo and fundamental decency."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"...In the end, as Harold Prince once said in an documentary about Spider Woman, the story is ultimately about escape. Whether it is escape from what we know to be true, escape from our circumstances or escape from ourselves to be something more, Boho's Kiss Of The Spider Woman proves brilliantly successful."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Kiss of the Spider Woman is really an operetta with powerful themes that unfolds with a curious mixture of dark drama, character study with sprinkles of romance together with fine varied score complete with workable dances. It is a love story between two men who form a unique bond allowing the gay character to be the noble hero. This is a moving, highly entertaining and poignant musical. Its beauty and it haunting score are ultimately satisfying. If You've never seen Kiss, get to Theater Wit to experience an intimate and powerful production of one of the most underrated works of our time.. Those of us who know the show were impressed with the production values of BoHo's production. They should be proud of this most worthy show! Don't miss this gem."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Recommended
"...In an intimate production now at Theater Wit, Boho Theatre successfully navigates some of the pitfalls of the material. Death is a constant presence and, in one of the darker ideas of the book, it is allied with hope, embodied respectively by the Spider Woman and the tyrannical warden. The hope "compassionately" offered by the warden (a disarming Scott Danielson, who terrifies as he charms) almost inevitably leads to the embrace of the Spider Woman, who offers a final kiss to the doomed. The production design (scenic design by Patrick Ham and lighting by Diane Fairchild) captures the filth and violence of the prison, but does not convey its oppressive claustrophobia. The thrust staging offers the opportunity for an approximation of movie magic (behind a screen at the top of the stairs that lead up to the second floor of the prison cell block), opening up for dance sequences from Aurora's movies and placing the action close to the audience."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...Nathan Carroll is captivating as Molina. What at first seems a bit over-the-top, even for musical theatre, becomes logical as this talented young man masks his fear and pain with gay flamboyance. With wild abandon, Carroll throws himself into each fantasy scene, emotionally turning on a dime to scenes of panic, passion and pathos. Like the entire cast, Mr. Carroll possesses a gorgeous singing voice that allows him to vocally soar, especially with co-star Evan Tyrone Martin, as Valentin. Their scenes together show a steadily evolving relationship that moves from revulsion to acceptance and, finally, to dependance."
Huffington Post - Somewhat Recommended
"...I've been putting off reviewing Bohemian Theatre Ensemble's production of Kiss of the Spider Woman. BoHo's revelatory co-production of Floyd Collins (with Stage Left) was one of the highlights of last season, and this year's Pygmalion (also with Stage Left) and Hauptmann were both likewise excellent. It's never a pleasure to report that a successor fails to measure up."