After a number of delays and technical problems, the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark will have its first preview today. The show, with score by U2’s Bono and The Edge, and book and direction by Julie Taymor, has yet to have a complete, start-to-finish run-through with no interruptions (no one currently involved in the production knows exactly how long it is) and reportedly has cost in excess of $65 million to produce.
All that being said, for theatergoers with enough money, the sight of actors flying around on wires over the audience will probably be pretty cool, and the sets, lighting, and costumes all look absolutely fantastic. The composers have also had some minor popular successes in the past. And hey, come on, it’s Spider-Man. For all wiseguys like me would like to see a bunch of long-legged chorus girls singing “Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does what no other spider can!” this show certainly looks like a viable alternative. Now to decide which arm and which leg to sacrifice to get a ticket . . .
Edited to add: Some additional footage from the show from 60 Minutes below:
Danny Bowes is a playwright, filmmaker and blogger. He is also a contributor to nytheatre.com and Premiere.com.
