Click for More Articles on SPIDER-MAN...

1:30 Update: Video of SPIDER-MAN Injury; Actor Identified; Equity to Halt Performances; Investigation Underway

UPDATE_FirstHand_Report_on_SPIDERMAN_Injury_20101220

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.

At 11:29 AM, Equity has released a statement that "Actors' Equity Association is working with management and the Department of Labor to ensure that performances will not resume until back-up safety measures are in place."

BroadwayWorld has learned from several sources that SPIDER-MAN stuntman Christopher Tierney has suffered several broken ribs and 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.

We've now confirmed with a production source that representatives from the Department of Labor and from Equity are now onsite at the Foxwoods Theatre meeting with members of the show's production team, stage hands and crew.

They will also be examining all of the equipment used during the show as they attempt to determine if last night's problems were caused by human error, technical problems or a combination thereof. It's expected that once their decision is reached, Equity and the production will make their determination as to what will be needed to deem the production safe, and then they can estimate how long that might take before they determine when performances will be resumed.

All of the equipment and stunts were examined before the show began performances. Stay tuned to BroadwayWorld.com, which was the first to report the goings on last night and will bring you more information as soon as it's available.

Earlier, Actors Equity released a short statement about last night's incident, stating that "We were informed shortly after the accident during the performance of Spiderman. We are working in cooperation with the state and city Department of Labor on this situation. We dont have a further statement at this time."

BroadwayWorld.com has also confirmed that the New York State Department of Labor will visit the Foxwoods Theater this morning for its own investigation into what occurred last night that will involve interviews with the production team, as well as a check of all equipment to determine if it was a human or technical error.

Many performers have contacted BroadwayWorld.com both last night and this morning, urging actors to contact the union individually to suggest that they 'step in' and get more involved with protecting the safety of the actors in this production.

Page 2 »