Sean Hennessy: Lighting Design Portfolio

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• Staged at 12 Miles West Theatre
• Produced by 4th Wall Theatre
• from Feb. 17th − March 4th, 2006
• Book by Terrence McNally
• Music by John Kander
• Directed by Greg Allen
• Lighting Designer: Sean Hennessy
• Scenic Designer: Bruce McCandless

About the Play Kiss of the Spiderwoman: Winner of the Tony Award for Best Broadway Musical, Kiss of the Spider Woman revamps a harrowing tale of persecution into a dazzling spectacle that juxtaposes gritty realities with liberating fantasies. Cell mates in a Latin American prison, Valentin is a tough revolutionary undergoing torture and Molina is an unabashed homosexual serving eight years for deviant behavior. Molina shares his fantasies about an actress, Aurora, with Valentin. One of her roles that frightens Molina is that of a Spider Woman who kills with a kiss.

Synopsis of Kiss of the Spiderwoman:
This moving story of two men, trapped not only by the walls of their Argentine prison but by the oppression of politics and society, tells a story that is just as relevant today as it was when the book was written in the 1970s.

Other musicals by Kander and Ebb include Cabaret, Chicago, The Rink and Steel Pier. In addition to such plays as Love! Valour! Compassion! and Master Class, Librettist Terrence McNally has also written the book for the musical Ragtime. This musical brings these 3 creative minds together in a blend that makes for a powerful night at the theatre.

Lighting Design Concept for Kiss of the Spiderwoman: Within the Argentine prison, the lighting is stark and barren: representative of the lifeless and inhospitable atmosphere that tortures the prisoners. However, within the minds of Molina and Valentin are rich, colorful visions of the cinema, of a life beyond the cellblock, and of revolution. Aurora's song and dance routines manifest luscious tones and textures that contrast with the colorless, drab world of their confinement.

A translucent scrim provides the prisoners some distance from the reality of the horrific tortures going on, and with an outlet to explore their fantasies.