SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK to Close in January 2014?

The Wall Street Journal reports that SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK will be switching off the lights in January 2014. "People familiar with the matter" told the WSJ that the announcement will be made this week. Variety has also independently confirmed the show's January closing.

"I won't speculate about any closing date," said Rick Miramontez, the show's spokesman, who refused further comment to the WSJ. But according to the WSJ's sources, the show has been struggling to break even for weeks. Even with top attendance on Broadway, SPIDER-MAN's weekly costs of more than $1 million are difficult to recoup. It is rumored that Australia's KING KONG musical could move into the Foxwoods after SPIDER-MAN leaves but nothing is set in stone. To house the special-effects-heavy SPIDER-MAN, the theater had to undergo many modifications, so reversing that infrastructure for a new show would take months and a large budget. SPIDER-MAN opened in June 2011 after an extended preview period and quite a bit of controversy surrounding on-set injuries, as well as director Julie Taymor, who was subsequently fired from the creative team. The show was then revamped into the version currently playing at the Foxwoods on Broadway. SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark features music and lyrics by 22-time Grammy Award-winners Bono and The Edgeand a book co-written by Taymor, Glen Berger and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, with direction by Taymor and additional direction by Philip William McKinley. Scenic Designer George Tsypin and Costume Designer Eiko Ishiokaare winners of Outer Critics Circle Awards and were nominated for Tony Awards for their work on Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark. Photo Credit: Jacob Cohl

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