Tangled Web

The Tony Award-winning musical Kiss of the Spider Woman carries a black widow's bite. Set inside a prison cell in Latin America, the story concerns Molina — a homosexual jailed for corrupting a minor — and Valentin, who, barely conscious, is hurled into the cell just as Molina is summoned by the Spider Woman, the harbinger of death. Rather than surrender to the Spider Woman's fatal kiss, Molina nurses Valentin (a revolutionary with alleged terrorist ties) back to health, launching a friendship between the two very different condemned outcasts. Starting tonight at 7:30, the Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre (3614 Main) brings a production directed by Karen Paisley. Additional performances, all at 7:30 p.m., go on May 15-16 and May 21-23. In addition, matinees are at 2 p.m. May 17 and 24. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for students; call 816-536-9464.
Thu., May 14, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., May 15, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., May 16, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., May 17, 2 p.m.; Thu., May 21, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., May 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., May 23, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., May 24, 2 p.m., 2009