Brent Carver

A former boy soprano, Brent Carver already was a well-established presence on stage in his native Canada when he won legions of new fans playing the role of Molina, the effeminate imprisoned window dresser, in the stage musical version of "Kiss of the Spider Woman." Originating the role in the Toronto production, he appeared in London and NYC in the role, picking up numerous accolades including Drama Desk and Tony Awards. On the Canadian stage, the actor had demonstrated his versatility in everything from the classics to operetta to contemporary fare. Post-"Kiss," Carver garnered praise for his work in two Showtime movies targeted for children: "The Song Spinner" (1995) and "Whiskers" (1997). In the latter, he played a feline that had magically been turned into a human and picked up a Daytime Emmy nomination for his efforts. On the big screen, Carver is perhaps best recalled for his dual role as a prisoner and, in flashbacks and without drag, as the Countess, the unstable mother of another inmate in the fanciful "Lilies" (1996), directed by John Greyson. After a five year absence, he returned to the Broadway stage to portray Leo Frank in the musical drama "Parade" (1998). Brent Carver died on August 4, 2020 in Cranbrook, BC, Canada at the age of 68.