Latest Update: SPIDER-MAN to Resume Performances Tonight
By: Robert Diamond Dec. 22, 2010
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While today's matinee of SPIDER-MAN has been cancelled, we're told that all appears to be on track for the show to resume performances this evening, with new safety measures in place. It's been reported that injured actor Christopher Tierney is in good spirits, albeit still in serious, but stable condition. CBS reported last night that he recorded a video message which was then played for the rest of the cast.
Late last evening, Director Julie Taymor released the following statement: "An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team and, of course, to me personally. I am so thankful that Chris is going to be alright and is in great spirits. Nothing is more important than the safety of our Spider-Man family and we'll continue to do everything in our power to protect the cast and crew."
An official statement was earlier issued from the production which says that "OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), Actors Equity and the New York State Department of Labor have met with the Spider-Man company today to discuss additional safety protocols. It was agreed that these measures would be enacted immediately. Tomorrow's matinee has been postponed and will be rescheduled. Tomorrow evening's, and all subsequent performances will proceed as scheduled."
Twitter was flooded last night shortly after 10:40 PM with messages from audience members at SPIDER-MAN, with word that an actor fell during the middle of Act 2 when a cable snapped. The show was first put on hold, and then cancelled as ambulances arrived on the scene. This morning, the actor has been identified as aerialist Christopher Tierney, who is reported to be in serious, but stable condition. The actor has suffered several broken ribs and internal bleeding after his nearly 30-foot free fall on the SPIDEY set last night. Fortunately, Tierney landed such that he avoided any crippling neck or spinal injury. He is still being held at the hospital in serious, but stable condition.
For more on Tierney's injuries, click here.
Video of the incident can be seen here.
BroadwayWorld was the first to report on the incident as we spoke to an audience member who was there, and told us that the incident occurred near the end of the show when the bridge comes down with MJ suspended in the air and Spider-Man goes after her. Basically, she went down and it seemed he went jumping after her. Then you saw the rope come down and then snap back up. Then all of a sudden, the stage manager's voice came on and said that there was going to be a pause. The theatre then stayed dark for a minute or two and then they called the show and brought the house lights back up.
Our source told us that for most of the audience, there was a moment of "did I really just see that?" foliowed by horror and concern. Coming from where the actor fell, a voice was heard screaming, as well, which was believed to be lead actress Jennifer Damiano's voice. As audience members left the theatre, at least one ambulance and fire truck were seen.
Another audience member contacted us to tell us that "The person taken away was the person playing Spider-Man at the time. He tried to get up and stagehands told him not to move. I was in the audience and I'm an NY EMT. Although I am not involved with the care of the patient they didn't use a back-board and collar as they brought him out. The ambulance stayed on site longer then expected, which would lead me to believe the injury isn't critical."
This is the show's fourth injury and there's no word on what affect this will have on future performances. Two shows are scheduled for Spider-Man on Wednesday, there is no word at this time if performances will be cancelled.
Last night, a representative for the show tells us that "An actor sustained an injury at tonight's performance of Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark. He fell several feet from a platform approximately seven minutes before the end of the performance, and the show was stopped. All signs were good as he was taken to the hospital for observation. We will have more news shortly."
We're told via a stagehand that this was NOT a flying sequence and that Spider-Man was NOT supposed to drop at all. He was supposed to run to top of the ramp as if to jump with the lights then set to go to black. The cable that snapped is what stops him from going over the edge, and that is what failed. He then fell approximately 30 feet.
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