Spider-Man to arrive on Broadway on 14 Nov 2010

In July 2010 the NY Times reported that the New York theatrical press agency Boneau/Bryan-Brown, headed by Chris Boneau and Adrian Bryan-Brown, had resigned as the representatives for the show, and that the musical would now be represnted by O+M, which is headed by Rick Miramontez.

In the first press release issued by O+M, lead producer Michael Cohl has announced that Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark will begin preview performances on Broadway on 14 Nov 2010, with Opening Night set for 21 Dec 2010. Tickets are set to go on sale to the general public in Sep 2010.

Directed by Julie Taymor and featuring a book by Julie Taymor and Glen Berger, and new music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge, Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark will open at Broadway's Foxwoods Theatre (formerly the Hilton Theatre).

This is the first announcement from the show's producers since their statement in Jan 2010. That press release, issued by Boneau/Bryan-Brown, announced that Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark would not begin previews as originally scheduled on 25 Feb 2010. However, the statement did say the show would open on Broadway in 2010, a commitment the producers have managed to keep to - though with opening night now set for 21 Dec 2010, they have done so with only 10 days of the year remaining.

Flying and choreography rehearsals for select cast members began on 19 Jul 2010 and the full company, still to be announced, will begin rehearsals on 16 Aug 2010.

The producers have also officially confirmed that previously announced cast members Evan Rachel Wood, who was to have played 'Mary Jane Watson' (Peter Parker's girlfriend) and Alan Cumming, who was to have played 'Norman Osborn' (aka Green Goblin) are no longer with the production. Instead the role of 'Mary Jane Watson' will now be played by Tony nominee Jennifer Damiano (Next to Normal), and 'Norman Osborn' will be played by Patrick Page.

Both Evan Rachel Wood and Cummngs both left the production quoting scheduling conflicts, that have arisen due to the musical's long delay.

Jennifer Damiano and Patrick Page join the previously announced Reeve Carney (Peter Parker - aka Spider-Man) - the only original annonced cast member still with the show. New-comer Reeve is the lead singer of 'Carney,' a rock band whose first full length album, entitled 'Mr. Green,' was released in early 2010 on Interscope Records. Reeve's acting credits include Julie Taymor's upcoming film version of 'The Tempest' and the film version of the acclaimed novel 'Snow Falling on Cedars.'

Drawing from over 40 years of Marvel comic books for inspiration, Spider-Man spins a new take on the mythic tale of a young man propelled from a modest rowhouse in Queens to the sky-scraping spire of the Chrysler Building, the bustling offices of the Daily Bugle, through the dizzying canyons of Manhattan, to new vistas never before seen. The musical follows the story of teenager 'Peter Parker,' whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down ­ literally ­ when he's bitten by a genetically altered spider and wakes up the next morning clinging to his bedroom ceiling.

This bullied science-geek ­suddenly endowed with astonishing powers ­soon learns, however, that with great power comes great responsibility as villains test not only his physical strength but also his strength of character. Spider-Man's battles will hurtle the audience through an origin story both recognizable and unexpected ­yielding new characters as well as familiar faces ­until a final surprising confrontation casts a startling new light on this hero's journey.

Spider-Man features music and lyrics by 22-time Grammy Award-winners Bono and The Edge of U2 with direction by Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor ('The Tempest,' 'Across The Universe,' 'The Lion King').

Spider-Man is written by Julie Taymor and Glen Berger (Underneath The Lintel). The principal creative and design team for Spider-Man includes Daniel Ezralow (choreographer), George Tsypin (sets), Eiko Ishioka (costumes), Donald Holder (lighting) and Jonathan Deans (sound).

The musical is being produced on Broadway by Michael Cohl, Jeremiah J. Harris, Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Land Line Productions, by association with Marvel Entertainment. Bios

Reeve Carney (Peter Parker) stars as the young prince Ferdinand in Julie Taymor's upcoming film adaptation of 'The Tempest' and also starred in the film version of the acclaimed novel 'Snow Falling on Cedars.' A veteran of the music world, Reeve recorded an album with 'Peter, Paul and Mary' at the age of 8 and was asked a few years later by Michael Jackson to sing on one of the tracks of 'HIStory.' Now, Reeve is the lead singer and lead guitarist of 'CARNEY,' the up and coming rock band that recently toured North America. In 'CARNEY,' Reeve is accompanied by his brother Zane who shares lead guitar in the band, Aiden Moore on bass, and Jon Epcar on the drums. CARNEY'S newest single "Love Me Chase Me" was released this summer and the band's first full length album, entitled "Mr. Green," was released in May 2010 on DAS Label/Interscope.

Jennifer Damiano (Mary Jane Watson) received a Tony nomination in 2009 for her performance in the critically acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway production 'Next to Normal.' She also performed in the show's previous productions off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre and regionally at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. which earned her a Helen Hayes nomination. Jennifer has been working professionally in New York since she was 12. When she was 15, she made her Broadway debut in the ensemble of 'Spring Awakening' as the youngest member of the original cast. Additionally, she has appeared on the CW television series "Gossip Girl."

Patrick Page (Norman Osborn/The Green Goblin). Broadway: 'A Man For All Seasons' (Henry III), 'The Grinch Who Stole Christmas' (The Grinch), 'The Lion King' (Scar), 'Julius Caesar' (Decius Brutus), 'Beauty and the Beast' (Lumiere) and ''Kentucky Cycle.' Off-Broadway: Rex; 'Richard II,' and 'Duchess of Malfi.' Regional: 25 years—including Associate Artist of The Old Globe Theatre and The Shakespeare Theatre Company. Recently: 'Cyrano' (Craig Noel Award) at The Old Globe and 'Iago' (Helen Hayes Award) at STC. TV and Film: "Law & Order: SVU," "One Life to Live," "All My Children," and "Substance of Fire."

Julie Taymor (Co-Book Writer, Director) was the first female director to win a Tony for Best Director for her work in Walt Disney's 'The Lion King,'a show for which she also won a Tony for Best Costume Design, and was nominated for Best Original Musical Score. Her 2002 movie 'Frida' was nominated for 6 Acadmy Awards, and won two.

Bono (Music & Lyrics). The lead singer of U2. Bono was born Paul David Hewson in Dublin. He met The Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton at school, and in 1978 U2 was formed. U2 have sold over 170 million albums and won numerous awards, including 22 Grammys. Bono and The Edge have also received 4 Golden Globe nominations including a win for 'The Hands that Built America' from 'Gangs of New York,' which was also nominated for an Academy Award, Best Original Song. Their latest album, 'How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,' has sold more than 3 million copies in the United States and close to 10 million worldwide and it won all 3 Grammy Awards for which it was nominated in 2005 and all 5 Grammy Awards for which it was nominated in 2006.

The Edge (Music & Lyrics). Guitarist with U2, The Edge was born David Howell Evans in east London. A year later, he and his family moved to Malahide, Co. Dublin, where he attended Mount Temple School and met Larry Mullen, Bono, and Adam Clayton. In 1978 U2 was formed. Described as one of the most influential guitar players of his generation, Edge's crystalline minimalist guitar playing is the hallmark of U2's music.

Jennifer DamianoPatrick PageReeve Carney