Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark: faces further problems, but producers say show will still preview in Feb

Hello Entertainment, one of the producers of the upcoming Broadway production of Spider-Man, Turn Off The Dark, are continuing their announcements that the musical will still begin previews from 25 Feb 2010 at the Hilton Theatre as originally announced. However, despite their optimism, rumours continue to grow that the show is in trouble.

It was already known that the production of the musical is suspended, "due to cash flow problems," but now Michael Riedel of the New York Post also reports that Evan Rachel Wood, who has been cast as Spidey's girl friend (Mary Jane Watson), is looking for other work. Apparently the film actress turned down contracts for movie roles to star in the musical, and her agent is busy working to see if the film offers are still on the table.

It is also being rumoured that Alan Cumming, who is cast to play the 'Green Goblin,' has also been released from his contract and is looking for other work. Though none of this has so far been confirmed.

Reidel reports that problems in the creative team are growing, and that though other producers are being approached to help put the show back on track - so far none seem willing to get involved.

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.

Tickets for Spider-Man are to go on sale to the general public on 31 Oct 2009.