12:45pm Update: Producers Say Taymor to 'Step Down' from SPIDER-MAN

Earlier today others added to the trickle of information leaking out of the production, with Michael Riedel in the New York Post reporting that Christopher Ashley (Memphis, Xanadu, All Shook Up, The Rocky Horror Show) is likely to take over direction duties from Julie Taymor. Riedel reports that it's unknown if she will continue with the production in some capacity, take a break and return or what as negotiations are still ongoing. He pegs the hiatus as 4-6 weeks, to begin at the end of April, but also notes that the sheer technical complexity of the production will make large scale changes difficult. 

Additionally, the Daily News reported (in a story oddly attributed to its theatre critic, Joe Dziemianowicz and two reporters) that "Taymor, 58, has walked away from the show she co-wrote and worked relentlessly to bring to Broadway, a source close to the production said Tuesday night. "Taymor is out. She's left the building," the source told The News."

Sources tell BroadwayWorld.com that behind the scenes talks have been 'making progess' and that the cast, which has not been made aware yet of the specifics, has been told to expect that announcement to come tomorrow (Wednesday) as was promised on Friday. All the involved players have been involved in complex, and closed door sessions.

We're told that with now under 7 days remaining until the show's currently scheduled opening on March 15th, that everyone involved is feeling 'intense pressure' to reveal to the cast, crew, family members and out of town guests who have booked trips (and rescheduled multiple times each time the opening has been delayed) what the next steps will be for the musical sooner rather than later. It's expected by those involved that the announcement will at minimum include the widely speculated delay of any sort of official opening until June. The production would then make March 15th a celebration and thank you to the company and crew for the massive amounts of rehearsal and work on the show since it began previews on November 28, 2010. 

BroadwayWorld.com exclusively reported details on Friday from an email from the show's producers, Michael Cohl and Jere Harris, that went out to the cast and crew. That email thanked the cast for their patience, support and dedication during 'trying times' and noted that they are aware they're at a pivotal moment in the show's history and will be 'making some very difficult choices,' the results of which will be 'revealed by the middle of next week'.