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Two Twin Cities theater companies are tackling authoritarianism through magical realism and absurdism.  

Although the shows use fantastical elements and were written in different time periods, the directors say the shows highlight very real threats — and speak to the current moment.

“Marisol” at Penumbra Theatre and “Kiss of the Spider Woman” at Teatro del Pueblo are both pieces that deal with the realities of authoritarianism. 

Perhaps the better known of the two is “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” a musical by the same team behind “Chicago” and “Cabaret.” Based on the 1976 novel of the same name, it's become even more widely known recently due to a film adaptation this year.  

“It's about conflicting ideologies and outlooks in life,” said Alberto Justiniano, who is directing the Twin Cities production.  

In “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” a gay window dresser and a political activist are imprisoned together in Argentina and develop a deep bond despite their disparate life experiences. 

According to Justiniano, the play isn’t really a battle between leftist and right-wing ideologies, but rather one of democracy versus authoritarianism. Those themes are mirrored by the real history of Latin America — where dictatorships and military juntas across the political spectrum have abused human rights.  

“These extremes, left or right, have been challenges for Latin America,” said Justiniano.  

Justiniano believes these are challenges facing the United States as well, and it’s why he said pieces like “Kiss of the Spider Woman” are especially relevant.  

A recent survey of 500 political scientists

 found that the majority think the U.S. is moving away from liberal democracy toward authoritarianism, NPR reports.  

“Pandora’s box is open,” said Justiniano, pointing out that one political ideology isn’t solely responsible for authoritarian regimes.  

“People have a tendency to, you know, follow these things, and that's the problem,” he said. 

A dystopian look at cosmic authoritarianism 

While “Kiss of the Spider Woman” is a musical set in Argentina during the 1970s and 80s, “Marisol” is an absurdist, apocalyptic showdown between angels, mortals and God.

“Thematically, ‘Marisol’ both reflects and comments on where we are today as a society,” said Sarah Bellamy, the President of Penumbra Theatre, and the director of its production of “Marisol.”

“The most prominent perhaps, is this rise of Nazism that we're seeing,” Bellamy said.  

The rise in antisemitism and white nationalist groups in the public eye over the last decade has also been 

 Echoing Justiniano’s sentiments, Bellamy views “Marisol” as a message about the loss of empathy and a lesson in

being courageous enough to stand up for what is right.  

“In ‘Marisol,’ you have some characters who are fairly comfortable with society in a really inequitable hierarchy, who then have to go on this journey that requires them to confront the most disenfranchised amongst us, and it amplifies their own sense of what it means to be human,” Bellamy said.  

Bellamy and Justiniano were initially unaware of each other’s upcoming productions when they picked their seasons. However, once they figured out that both of their shows handled a similar theme, they decided to start promoting the plays as a sort of a thematic series, with “Kiss of the Spider Woman” opening only a few weeks after “Marisol” closes. 

Bellamy said that both examine “how long we will tolerate inhumane practices,” and that she believes presenting questions around that theme through theater opens the door for deep reflection. 

“It’s an opportunity for us to look at our human behavior and reflect on our own culpability in creating the conditions in which we live,” Bellamy said.  

For Justiniano, he hopes the plays prompt hard conversations, as well as greater understanding among people. 

“That we understand that ultimately, it’s our humanity that joins us,” said Justiniano.

And he hopes humanity takes precedence over ideological differences.

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Jacob Aloi

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The two theater directors were initially unaware of each other’s upcoming productions when they picked their seasons. However, once they figured out that both of their shows handled a similar theme, they decided to start promoting the plays as a sort of a thematic series.

Two Twin Cities theaters take on authoritarianism in fall offerings

A scene from a stage with a wall that reads "Wake Up" in red graffiti behind the actors.

Two Twin Cities theaters take on authoritarianism in fall offerings

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