SPIDER-MAN Swings Off Broadway, Part Three: The Opening Night - Bows, Red Carpet & Taymor's Return
By: Tyler Peterson Jan. 02, 2014
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As BroadwayWorld previously reported, Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark, the Broadway spectacular that defied odds and expectations to conquer New York, will play its final performance at the Foxwoods Theatre on January 4, 2014. Since it began preview performances on November 28, 2010, and even before they bagan, the show's high and lows were in the news, making it one of the most talked about shows in Broadway history.
To tribute Spidey's three years on Broadway, BroadwayWorld will comemmorate it's run with a series of flashbacks to help you relive all of the excitement that is - and was - Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.
Today's edition of 'SPIDER-MAN Swings Off Broadway' showcases the show's highly anticipated and much-delayed opening night on the Great White Way. Spidey first 'officially' wove his web for an all-star audience on June 14, 2011 - over five months behind schedule - with an altered book, additions to the electric rock score, and a slew of new high-flying aerial feats, in hopes of puting an end to the criticism once and for all.
On June 14, 2011, actors, players within the theater industry, and the scrutinized creative team arrived at the Foxwoods Theatre for one of Broadway's most anticipated events in years: SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK's official opening night.
On the red carpet, Taymor, infamously ousted from the show prior to its April-May shutdown, was among those to walk the red carpet.
"I am very excited. It's opening night!" She told the Associated Press at the time. "I am delighted to be here."
The opening put an official end to SPIDER-MAN's record-breaking preview count at 183. Between the njuries, delays, and more, many early reviews of the show were published in February - much to the team's dismay.
"Everyone in this production has waited a very long time to get to this point, and it is incredibly disrespectful that certain members of the media won't wait a few more hours to post their reviews," a statement released on opening night read. "We trust that no other outlets will stoop so low."
Stars from Broadway's past and present - as well as a former president - were among those on the red carpet. Scroll down for a look back!
On the red carpet
President Bill Clinton
Glen Berger and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Bono and The Edge
Bono, Julie Taymor, The Edge
Bono, Julie Taymor, The Edge, Philip William McKinley
Bono, Julie Taymor, The Edge, Philip William McKinley
After Spidey swung through the Foxwoods on June 14, the original creative team - Bono, Taymor, The Edge, and Philip William McKinley - reunited on stage to join the show's cast members for the opening night curtain call. Check out photos below!
Reeve Carney, Jennifer Damiano
SPIDER-MAN Cast
Julie Taymor, Bono
The Edge, Bono, Julie Taymor, Philip William McKinley
BWW was on the scene for SPIDER-MAN's opening night action, check out video coverage below!
With the curtain down on opening night, SPIDER-MAN's cast and crew headed out to the much-deserved after party, seemingly stopping the rumors, injuries, and criticism that had plagued the production for years.
SPIDER-MAN Ensemble
Reeve Carney, Jennifer Damiano
Patrick Page, T.V. Carpio, Reeve Carney, Jennifer Damiano
Patrick Page, T.V. Carpio, Reeve Carney, Jennifer Damiano, Bono, The Edge
With first official performance behind them, the cast and crew would have a blockbuster three-year run ahead of them - and the requirement to sell out for years in order to recoup looming.
For part one of BroadwayWorld's 'SPIDER-MAN Swings Off Broadway' series, click here. For part two, click here.
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