Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark: construction work resumes at theatre, but cash problems remain

The troubles and prevails of the upcoming Broadway production of Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark continues.

Production of the musical, which has been suspended since August, is now beginning to show some life. On 2 Sep 2009 work will resume in the Hilton Theatre where Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark is to begin previews on 25 Feb 2009. However, other aspects of the production remain on hold.

The Hilton auditorium is being reconstructed for the musical and rumours say that the theatre has been gutted and is currently in a state of disaray. If rumours are true, the auditorium has been stripped, but little work has happened in refurbishing it for the production.

That work on the Hilton Theatre has resumed, but not on other aspects of the production of the musical is being interpreted in different ways by the rumour mills.

The skepics think this is further evidence that the musical will not see the light of day because the producers must hand the Hilton Theatre back to its owners, Live Nation, in a good condition if they wish to avoid an expensive lawsuit. This, is why the producers are spending money on refurbishing the Hiltonm abd not on other aspects of the production.

The hopefuls believe that since the production cannot keep to its preview date of 25 Feb 2010 if the theatre is not ready, then of course the producers have chosen to restart work on the auditorium first. The fact they have chosen to do so shows that the money problems are being resolved, and other aspects of the production will resume soon.

Of course all this remains speculation, all that is known for sure is that work resumes at the Hilton Theatre on 2 Sep 2010, while other aspects of the prduction remains on hold. HELLO Entertainment, one the musical lead producers are still reassuring everyone previews will begin on 25 Feb 2010.

The money problems for the production still remain problematic. Though the Walt Disney Company is to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion, the deal will not be finalised for sometime. Also Walt Disney seem unlikely to want to spend money on helping out a troubled theatrical production on Broadway - considering Disney's latest offerings 'Tarzen' and 'The Little Mermaid' have not been as succesful as 'The Lion King' and 'The Little Mermaid.' According to Michael Riedel of the New York Post, pop-star Buno - who has written the score for Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark, is now using his name to pursuade associates to invest in the musical.

In further depressing news for the producers it is now rumoured that advanced ticket sales for the musical have been low, even before production was temporarily suspended, with only $1 million being sold.

Finally, what is happening with the cast. The New York Times reports that cast members (that would be Evan Rachel Wood and Alan Cumming), "were informed that the musical might be canceled altogether, according to agents for those actors."

In a recent interview on BBC Radio 1, Buno and The Edge said the musical has "got a new villain, it's a girl. It's a very extraordinary role."

Considering the rumours that the cast members have been released from their contracts - does this mean Alan Cumming has decided to jump ship. Cumming is still listed as a cast member for the musical, playing the role of Spidey's arch-villian 'The Green Goblin.' However, if the show is to have a female villian, does this mean the Green Goblin is no longer a character?

Is this the end of the road for the Spidey musical? It is still to early to say, but that 25 Feb 2010 preview date seems almost certain to slip - and possibly by months.

Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark, features music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge, written by Julie Taymor and Glen Berger. The show is to be directed by Julie Taymor and choreographed by Daniel Ezralow.

Drawing from over forty 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.

The design team for Spider-Man includes George Tsypin (Sets), Eiko Ishioka (Costumes), Donald Holde (Lighting) and Jonathan Deans (Sound).

Spider-Man is produced on Broadway by Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle, Martin McCallum, Marvel Entertainment/David Maisel, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Jeremiah Harris.