It's as busy as ever behind the scenes at SPIDER-MAN this week as work on the revisions ramp up and as the show approaches the start of it's hiatus period from April 19th thru Wednesday May 12th.
We've gotten word that on Sunday cast members were given a chance to give their thoughts on the new script, with work by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Glen Berger. Rehearsals began yesterday (Tuesday) with all of the principles working on Act 1 of the new script with the first read thrus and staging taking place with Philip William McKinley. While that was going on, Chase Brock simultaneously began working on his new choreography with the ensemble.
Multiple sources in the cast have also told us that they were 'very excited by the script changes' in the first read through, describing it as 'great' and that they couldn't wait to start delving fully into the material. They've told us that the new material has 'greatly improved the flow of the show, including the arc and characters' and that they feel that it has 'definitely and finally addressed all of the major earlier critical complaints.'
While it's expected that the script will continue to evolve as is typical during rehearsals, the full working template for the next month is now said to be in place. We're also told that certain cast members have been asked to 'swing' out of certain performances over the next few works for additional rehearsal time.
We're also told that while deals have not yet been completed for Julie Taymor, and now for Daniel Ezralow, both sides are hopeful that they'll be able to avoid any official legal arbitration.
The company was introduced to Brock last Thursday evening at a pre-show meeting. Also at that meeting, they were informed that amongst the many changes that would be coming to the show in the weeks ahead, that the 'Geek Chorus' who narrate much of the show now would be cut entirely from the new version of the production. The Geek Chorus is currently being played by Gideon Glick, Jonathan Schwartz, Mat Devine, Alice Lee.
Along with the Julie Taymor focus on the character of 'Arachne', the Greek/Geek Chorus was amongst the most criticized portions of the show by critics. We've previously reported that much of Arachne will be cut as the focus is tightened onto Spider-Man's origin story and then his battling chief villain, The Green Goblin whose part is being expanded. Other reports have suggested that the show will be trimmed to an intermissionless 90 minutes, but we're told that decision has not yet been made and won't until they begin runthroughs of the new version. Currently, Robert Aguirre-Sacasa is at work with Glen Berger on the show's new book and cast members began working on new songs by Bono and The Edge before they left New York to star the next leg of U2's world tour.
As previously announced, Philip William McKinley and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa have joined the creative team to help implement new staging and book rewrites, respectively. The expanded team also includes musical consultant Paul Bogaev and sound designer Peter Hylenski. To allow rehearsal time for the new changes being implemented in the show, performances from Tuesday, April 19th to Wednesday, May 11th have been cancelled with preview performances resuming on Thursday, May 12th. SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark has rescheduled its opening night for Tuesday, June 14, 2011.
SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark is now in previews at Broadway's Foxwoods Theatre (213 West 42nd Street).
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