Variety & The Hollywood Reporter Tackle SPIDER-MAN
by Robert Diamond - February 7, 2011
In the Hollywood Reporter David Rooney writes that 'But mostly, Spider-Man is chaotic, dull and a little silly. And there's nothing here half as catchy as the 1967 ABC cartoon theme tune.
The absence of the word 'musical' from Taymor's definition of the show seems key. The songs by Bono and The Edge display minimal grasp of music's function in goosing narrative or illuminating character. And despite all the wailing-guitar attitude, they only squeak by as atmospheric enhancement. Aside from one or two stirring anthems in familiar messianic U2 mode, this is strictly album filler, with echoes of everyone from T. Rex to Alice Cooper, plus an occasional nod to The Who's Tommy. The lyrics - when you can decipher them - are either too vague or too literal.
But an underwhelming score is the least of the show's worries. What really sinks it is the borderline incoherence of its storytelling. ' Click Here for His Full Report.
LA Times on SPIDER-MAN 'Incoherence'
by Robert Diamond - February 7, 2011
Here's what Charles McNulty had to say for the LA Times: But the time has come to assess the work, not the hullabaloo surrounding it. So much emphasis has been placed on the technological hurdles, the notion that 'Spider-Man' is trying things that have never been attempted before in a Broadway house. What sinks the show, however, has nothing to do with glitches in the special effects. To revise a handy little political catch phrase, 'It's the storytelling, stupid.' And on that front, the failure rests squarely on Taymor's run-amok direction.
This is, after all, her vision, and it's a vision that has been indulged with too many resources, artistic and financial. The production, lacking the clarity that's born out of tough choices, adds when it should subtract, accelerates when it should slow down. Taymor's inventive staging of 'The Lion King' was a victory for the craft and commerce of theater alike. But the investors of 'Spider-Man' have inadvertently bankrolled an artistic form of megalomania.
Chicago Tribune Reviews SPIDER-MAN 'tangled web'
by Robert Diamond - February 7, 2011
Here's what Chris Jones had to say for the Chicago Tribune:'After the $65 million spent, the endless delays, the injuries, the cast changes, the incessant spinning of stories on the Web, Julie Taymor's 'Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark' now has to be willing to stand in the light. Deck chairs can be rearranged forever.
Bloomberg on SPIDER-MAN 'Remains Inert After 65 Previews'
by Robert Diamond - February 7, 2011
Here's what Jeremy Gerard had to say for Bloomberg:'Preview number 65 was no improvement over number 30. In fact, it was worse. After all this expenditure of talent and money, 'Spider- Man' is probably unfixable because too much has gone into making humans fly, which is not what they are good at. It imitates poorly what the 'Spider-Man' movies do brilliantly with computer graphics -- and without putting live actors in jeopardy.
Washington Post on SPIDER-MAN '170 spirit-snuffing minutes'
by Robert Diamond - February 7, 2011
Here's what the Washington Post had to say:If you're going to spend $65 million and not end up with the best musical of all time, I suppose there's a perverse distinction in being one of the worst.
What's apparent after 170 spirit-snuffing minutes in the Foxwoods Theatre - interrupted by the occasional burst of aerial distraction - is that director Julie Taymor, of 'The Lion King' fame, left a few essential items off her lavish shopping list:
Review Roundup: SPIDER-MAN on Broadway - All the Reviews!
by Robert Diamond - February 7, 2011
BroadwayWorld.com was the first to report that multiple critics from major newspapers have indeed purchased tickets in recent days to SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark, and they have come out in force. All but a few papers have filed reviews timed to tonight's performance which was, until the most recent delay, scheduled to be the show's opening night. Here are all the reviews for SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark to date and we'll keep updating as new ones come in.
RIALTO CHATTER: Major SPIDER-MAN Reviews Coming Tomorrow!
by Robert Diamond - February 7, 2011
BroadwayWorld.com has learned that multiple critics from major newspapers have indeed purchased tickets in recent days to SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark, and amongst those expected to publish reviews in tomorrow's newspapers will be The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times and The New York Post. Early word is that the reviews are expected to be negative.
These reviews will be timed to hit after tonight's performance which was, until the most recent delay, scheduled to be the show's opening night.
UK Telegraph Reviews SPIDER-MAN: 'Please, Lord, make it stop'
by Robert Diamond - February 7, 2011
Well, the major Broadway critics haven't gone in (yet) but now the UK Telegraph is the latest paper to break the gentleman's agreement of holding reviews until after the official opening, an agreement which generally assumes a typical amount of previews.
Well-known UK Critic Charles Spencer writes that 'Never mind turning off the dark. I spent much of this dreadful new musical muttering Please, Lord, make it stop.'
Photo Coverage: SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark Actor's Fund Benefit
by Walter McBride - February 4, 2011
Proceeds from tickets purchased for SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK's February 3 performance were donated to The Actor's Fund. Before the show, the cast, along with director Julie Taymor and the show's producers were feted as a Sardi's reception.
SyFy Treats Upfront Conference-Goers to SPIDER-MAN Performance, 3/22
by Jessica Lewis - February 3, 2011
The New York Times reports that the Syfy network will be treating the participants of its Upfront Presentation ('what ratings statistics it touts or who drinks the most cocktails at the bar') to a performance of SPIDER-MAN at the Foxwoods Theatre on March 22. Syfy is SPIDEY's main media partner for commercials, promotions etc.
Drama Critics' Circle Fails to Reach Consensus on SPIDER-MAN Reviews
by Robert Diamond - February 1, 2011
Adam Feldman, head of the New York Drama Critics' Circle, an organization comprised of many, but not all New York critics has just blogged about the result of their meeting tonight. On the agenda was whether they'd be able to reach a consensus about whether to wait for SPIDER-MAN's opening night to review the show. The end result? No consensus.
STAGE TUBE: Patrick Page Defends SPIDER-MAN
by Lauren Wolman - January 29, 2011
In a recent AP video, Patrick Page talks about playing the Green Goblin in Broadway's SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark as well as the controversy that has been surrounding the show.
Toronto Star Reviews SPIDER-MAN: '$65 million disaster'
by Robert Diamond - January 29, 2011
Well, the major critics haven't gone in (yet) but now the Toronto Star is the latest paper to break the gentleman's agreement of holding reviews until after the official opening, an agreement which generally assumes a typical amount of previews.
Critic Richard Ouzounian writes that 'The only truly amazing thing about Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, is how unequivocally awful it is...'
SPIDER-MAN Update: New Aerial Sequences, Scene Changes, Musical Tweeks and More
by Lauren Wolman - January 29, 2011
A recent article from Variety asks the question: When will SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark rehearse the changes to the show that have been promised? By the time she show is set to open on March 15, the musical will have set the record for most preview performances. And after returning to a full eight-preview weekly schedule, there isn't much time to do more than perform the show as it is.
Alan Cumming: 'I Dodged a Bullet with SPIDER-MAN'
by Jessica Lewis - January 26, 2011
In an interview with the UK Guardian out this morning, former Green Goblin Alan Cumming (who departed the production before rehearsals began last year due to the numerous delays), speaks openly about his decision to depart the production, and what it was like to continue to work with Julie Taymor on The Tempest film thereafter.
SPIDER-MAN Opens Feb. 7 Show to Public; Tix On Sale Thru May
by Jessica Lewis - January 25, 2011
Lead producers Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris announced today that tickets have gone on sale for the 8:00 p.m. preview performance on Monday, February 7th. The performance was previously reserved for the show's opening night. In addition, as of today, tickets are now on sale for performances of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark through Sunday, May 8th. Directed by Julie Taymor and featuring a book by Julie Taymor and Glen Berger, and new music and lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge, SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark is now in previews at Broadway's Foxwoods Theatre (213 West 42nd Street).
Carpio Dishes on More SPIDER-MAN Changes
by Nicole Rosky - January 21, 2011
According to Ew.com, T.V. Carpio has revealed that SPIDER-MAN director Julie Taymor is making 'major changes in the second act, which will make things more clear and better.' One of those 'major changes' includes the fight between her character, Arachne and Peter Parker.
SPIDER-MAN Donates to The Actors Fund
by Nicole Rosky - January 21, 2011
SPIDER-MAN is now offering a unique opportunity for theatregoers to see a Broadway performance without feeling guilty about spending too much on tickets. Proceeds from tickets purchased for SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK's February 3 performance will be donated to The Actor's Fund. Tickets for the event range from $145 to $250.