Michael Cohl News

In last night's Halloween episode of 'The Simpsons,' the cartoon featured a jibe at Broadway's SPIDER-MAN, when Homer was paralyzed from a spider bite. SPIDER-MAN spokesperson Rick Miramonez commented on the episode: 'Everyone at SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark was extremely flattered by last night's tribute on ‘The Simpsons.' ‘The Simpsons' is an iconic American institution, and being part of last night's episode was an honor and dream come true. As a token of their appreciation, the SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark producers, Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris, have invited the entire Simpsons family (including, and especially Bart) on an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to sit front row at a performance of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, and then come backstage for a meet-and-greet with the cast and for a champagne toast (the French stuff).'

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark (Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris, Producers) hosted a special ticket giveaway in celebration of Halloween on Wednesday, October 26th. All children in costume at the matinee performance were invited to meet Spider-Man and take a photo with him immediately following the performance! Check out photos of the mini Spideys below!

Producers Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris announced today that Rebecca Faulkenberry (Rock of Ages) and Christina Sajous (Baby It's You, American Idiot) will be joining the cast of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, in the roles of 'Mary Jane Watson' and 'Arachne,' respectively. Jennifer Damiano, who currently plays the role of Mary Jane, will play her final performance on November 6, while T.V. Carpio, the show's current Arachne, will play her final show on. November 13. Reeve Carney and Patrick Page will continue on in their roles as 'Peter Parker/Spider-Man' and 'Norman Osborn/Green Goblin,' respectively.

This week THEATER TALK welcomes actors Patrick Page, Isabel Keating and Michael Mulheren, members of the cast of the musical SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK. These uber-talented troopers, all in the show from the beginning, reveal what was really going on behind the scenes during the longest preview period for a production in Broadway history.

This week THEATER TALK welcomes actors Patrick Page, Isabel Keating and Michael Mulheren, members of the cast of the musical SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK. These uber-talented troopers, all in the show from the beginning, reveal what was really going on behind the scenes during the longest preview period for a production in Broadway history.

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark (Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris, Producers) has announced an exciting ticket giveaway in celebration of Halloween! At both the 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performance on Wednesday, October 26th, the first 100 people at the box office one hour prior to curtain can get one child's ticket free with the purchase of one full price adult ticket when the child (age 4-15) is wearing a full Spider-Man costume. All children in costume at the matinee performance will also be invited to meet Spider-Man and take a photo with him immediately following the performance!

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark (Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris, Producers) announced the second honoree of the newly developed 'Everyday Heroes' initiative: Horace Greeley High School English teacher, Jacqueline Morelli of Putnam Valley, New York. The 'Everyday Heroes' program seeks to shine the spotlight on people who embody heroism in their daily lives.

'SING YOUR SONG,' CHRONICLING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF EXTRAORDINARY ENTERTAINER AND SOCIAL ACTIVIST HARRY BELAFONTE, DEBUTS OCT. 17, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark (Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris, Producers) features direction by Philip William McKinley (The Boy From Oz), original direction by Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor (The Lion King, Across The Universe, Frida), music and lyrics by 22-time Grammy Award-winners Bono and The Edge, and book co-written by Taymor, Glen Berger (Underneath The Lintel) and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Fantastic Four and Spider-Man comics, 'Big Love'). The cast is led by Reeve Carney as ‘Peter Parker/Spider-Man,' Tony Award nominee Jennifer Damiano as ‘Mary Jane Watson,' T.V. Carpio as ‘Arachne,' Patrick Page as ‘Norman Osborn/Green Goblin.' In the video below, Broadway veteran SEbastian Bach chats about why he thinks he would have made the perfect Green Goblin. Bach has previously starred on stage in Jekyll & Hyde, Jesus Christ Superstar, and The Rocky Horrow Show.

'SING YOUR SONG,' CHRONICLING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF EXTRAORDINARY ENTERTAINER AND SOCIAL ACTIVIST HARRY BELAFONTE, DEBUTS OCT. 17, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES announced today that Jeremy Woodard will officially take over the role of 'Stacee Jaxx' on Monday, October 3, 2011. Woodard has understudied the role since performances began on Broadway on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. In addition to ROCK OF AGES, Woodard's theatre credits include Glory Days, Hairspray, and Miss Saigon. MiG Ayesa, who has performed the role of 'Stacee Jaxx' since ROCK OF AGES moved to the Helen Hayes Theatre on March 24, 2011, will play his final performance on Sunday, September 25. During the interim week, the role will be covered by an understudy.

According to the NY Times, former SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK director Julie Taymor and the producers of the show will enter arbitration next week over the $500,000 in royalties that Taymor claims is owed to her.

At a press conference today at the Foxwoods Theatre, Reeve Carney, star of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, Broadway's most popular new show, announced a new initiative to honor 'Everyday Heroes.' Flanked by the show's Spider-Men, Carney explained the details of the 'Everyday Heroes' program (outlined below), before introducing the program's first honoree: Nurse Practitioner Diane Pagan. Check out Reeve Carney making the announcement below!

At a press conference today at the Foxwoods Theatre, Reeve Carney, star of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, Broadway's most popular new show, announced a new initiative to honor 'Everyday Heroes.' Flanked by the show's Spider-Men, Carney explained the details of the 'Everyday Heroes' program (outlined below), before introducing the program's first honoree: Nurse Practitioner Diane Pagan.

If you're looking for a quick roundup of this week's events in the theatre world, look no further - here are some of the best articles the week had to offer!

Producers Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris announced today that SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark star Reeve Carney has extended his contract with the production to May 2012, and will continue to play the role of 'Peter Parker/Spider-Man' through that time. For several weeks this winter, while Carney takes a brief leave to film the starring role in Jake Scott's upcoming untitled Jeff Buckley biopic, it is intended that 'Peter Parker/Spider-Man' alternate Matthew James Thomas and cast member Matt Caplan will assume the role.

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES announced today that Jeremy Woodard will officially take over the role of 'Stacee Jaxx' on Monday, October 3, 2011. Woodard has understudied the role since performances began on Broadway on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. In addition to ROCK OF AGES, Woodard's theatre credits include Glory Days, Hairspray, and Miss Saigon. MiG Ayesa, who has performed the role of 'Stacee Jaxx' since ROCK OF AGES moved to the Helen Hayes Theatre on March 24, 2011, will play his final performance on Sunday, September 25. During the interim week, the role will be covered by an understudy.

Watch a behind-the-scenes look at Broadway's ROCK OF AGES. PIX 11 (WPIX-TV, Channel 11)'s Laurie Dhue recently went backstage for their 'Curtain Up' Broadway Week series to talk with Mitchell Jarvis who stars as Lonny. Click below to check it out!

ROCK OF AGES cast members performed during the 7th inning of the New York Mets baseball game on Wednesday 20 July, 2011 at Citi Field, Queens, NY.