Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark delayed until fall
The Broadway-bound Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark will not begin previews on 25 Feb 2010, despite official publicity in and around the theatre district, and on the show's official website. Rumours suggest the show will begin previews at the Hilton Theatre in the fall of 2010.
Alan Cumming, who is to star in the show as the Green Goblin, told the New York Times "No one's going to be there that day [25th Feb 2010]. We're just waiting." Cumming's comment will come as no surprise as few expected the show to arrive in Feb 2010, despite tickets being sold to American Express cardholders.
Those who have already purchased tickets for performances this Spring can now request a refund if they do not wish to wait to exchange for new dates in the fall.
Michael Cohl who recently joined the production as lead producer on the show has been working on financial backing for the show and it is rumored that most, if not all, of the $50 million investment has now been raised. It is belived that Walt Disney - who recently bought Marvel Comics - have injected a large amount of capital.
Update: The producers today released the following statement:
The producers of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark are announcing a schedule change for the new Broadway production opening at the Hilton Theatre this year.In an earlier statement in November, Spider-Man director Julie Taymor said, "With a team that includes Bono, Edge and Glen Berger, there was never a question in my mind that Spider-Man would happen - it was just a matter of when. I am delighted that Michael Cohl is making this a reality."The production will not begin preview performances on February 25. As announced late last year, the production is moving forward. A revised schedule of preview performances, and an opening date in 2010, will be confirmed shortly.
Ticketmaster is contacting ticket holders impacted by the delay. Anyone who has purchased tickets may request a refund from Ticketmaster immediately, or wait for the announcement of the new performance schedule at which time the ability to exchange tickets for new dates will be implemented. Ticketmaster is on the web at: www.Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
Spider-Man will star new-comer Reeve Carney as 'Peter Parker, The Amazing Spider-Man,' and also feature Evan Rachel Wood (Mary Jane Watson) and Alan Cumming (Norman Osborn - aka Green Goblin).
Reeve is the lead singer of 'Carney,' the rock band whose newest single "Love Me Chase Me" was just released. The band's first full length album, entitled 'Mr. Green,' will be 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 ('Across the Universe,' 'The Green Bird'); George Tsypin, Sets ('The Magic Flute,' 'The Little Mermaid'); Eiko Ishioka, Costumes (Academy Award for Bram Stoker's 'Dracula,' Tony Award nomination for 'M. Butterfly,' the opening ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics); Donald Holder, Lighting (Tony Awards for 'The Lion King,' 'South Pacific'); Jonathan Deans, Sound ('Fosse,' 'The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil,' 'Young Frankenstein'); and Teese Gohl, Musical Supervisor ('Across the Universe,' 'Frida'). Additional members of the Spider-Man creative team will be announced at a later date.
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