Michael Cohl News

Producers Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris announced today that Katrina Lenk will be joining the cast of Broadway’s SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, in the role of “Arachne”. Christina Sajous, who currently plays the role of “Arachne”, will play her final performance on Sunday, May 27thwith Lenk assuming the role on Tuesday, May 29th. Reeve Carney, Patrick Page, and Rebecca Faulkenberry will continue on in their roles as “Peter Parker/Spider-Man”, “Norman Osborn/Green Goblin”, and “Mary Jane Watson” respectively. (more...)

This summer, audiences across North America will experience the magic of fire-breathing dragons that soar through arena skies in DREAMWORKS' HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR. DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA), Global Creatures and S2BN Entertainment today announced HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR will embark on a worldwide tour following its critically-acclaimed debut in Australia and New Zealand. The tour will be produced by RZO Dragon Productions to deliver 23 dragons, some with wingspans of up to 46 feet, Viking warriors and world-class circus artists and acrobats, to perform against a state-of-the-art, wall-to-floor immersive projection measuring more than 20,000 square feet. (more...)

Not since David Merrick has a 'stunt' like this ever been pulled on Broadway... Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris, producers of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, today made a special, unprecedented Tony-related announcement in response to the show's receipt of only two Tony nominations. The high flying production will hold a special Tony Sunday performance at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, for which anyone with the first name Anthony, Tony, Antonio, Antoinette, Toni, or Antonia will be eligible to receive a free ticket. (more...)

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical ROCK OF AGES have announced that Ashley Spencer (Grease, Priscilla..) will star in the leading role of Sherrie – the “small town girl” who “took the midnight train goin’ anywhere” – beginning Thursday, May 10 at Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theatre (220 W 44th Street). Emily Padgett, who has performed the role since November 2011, will play her final performance on Tuesday, May 1. During the interim week, the role will be covered alternately by Katie Webber and Tessa Alves. (more...)

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical ROCK OF AGES have announced that Justin Matthew Sargent will star as “Drew” beginning Monday, March 26, and Genson Blimline will officially take over as “Lonny”, at Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theatre (220 W 44th Street). (more...)

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical ROCK OF AGES have announced that Justin Matthew Sargent will star as “Drew” beginning Monday, March 26, and Genson Blimline will officially take over as “Lonny”, at Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theatre (220 W 44th Street). (more...)

Mitchell Jarvis, who has starred in ROCK OF AGES since it opened on Broadway in 2009 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, Texas, returns from his leave of absence to the show tonight, on February 20, 2012. (more...)

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (“SDC”) and 8 Legged Productions LLC, the Producer of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, have reached a settlement of all pending litigation between them. (more...)

At the request of the office of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, ROCK OF AGES performed their classic anthems “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Here I Go Again” at The New York Giants Super Bowl Victory Ceremony at New York City Hall on Tuesday, November 7, 2012. Following the performance, members of the New York Giants football team were welcomed on stage to receive Keys to the City, presented by Mayor Bloomberg. (more...)

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, Broadway’s record breaking new show, today announced that it is launching a brand new app for both Apple and Android devices. The app, which is available for free, gives users earliest access to exclusive video content and special offers, music and photos from the show, and easy ticket purchase. Those with the app can integrate their social media accounts and engage with a ‘fan wall’ where users can post comments and photos in real time for all to see. Additionally, people can compete to be among the top users of the app in order to unlock special rewards. (more...)

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark rang in the New Year as the highest grossing show on Broadway, shattering the record for the highest single-week gross of any show in Broadway history. The total gross for the record-breaking week ending Sunday, January 1 was $2,941,790.20, besting the previous record of $2,228,235 set by Wicked in 2011. Playing to 17,375 audience members (100.02% capacity of The Foxwoods Theatre), SPIDER-MAN also enjoyed the highest single-week attendance by any show in Broadway history (playing a standard 9-show holiday schedule). (more...)

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical ROCK OF AGES have announced that Genson Blimline will take over the role of “Lonny” role beginning today, Monday, December 19. Mitchell Jarvis, who has starred in ROCK OF AGES since it opened on Broadway in 2009 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, is taking a leave of absence from the show to take part in the Alley Theatre production of The Toxic Avenger in Houston, Texas. Jarvis is scheduled to return to Rock of Ages on February 20, 2012. (more...)

The music that ignited a generation is heating up Broadway in ROCK OF AGES. The classic rock love story of the decade erupts into Broadway's Best Party, all to the sounds of such feel-good, sing-out-loud songs as "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", "I Wanna Know What Love Is", "Here I Go Again", "Don't Stop Believin'" and more. In the video below, the cast spoofs 'THe shawshank Redemtion' in a short film directed by Mitchell Jarvis and written by Tony LePage and Mitchell Jarvis. Click below to check it out! (more...)

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark will begin its second year with tomorrow eveningÂ’s (Tuesday) performance at The Foxwoods Theatre. The occasion was celebrated at yesterdayÂ’s matinee performance with the on-stage presentation of a giant (seven foot) cake in the shape of the iconic Chrysler Building. SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark began preview performances on November 28, 2010, and has become one of the most famous theatrical events in Broadway history. (more...)

Emily Padgett - who rocked out as "Sherrie" in during ROCK OF AGES run at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre - will return to take over the lead role on Monday, November 7, 2011. (more...)

According to the Hollywood Reporter, a SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK investor is suing the show for money that was used to license the Foxwoods Theatre. Patricia Lambrecht put $2.5 million into the show as collateral; so that 'even if the show never opened, the theater would be paid for restoration costs.' (more...)

Producers of the five-time Tony Award nominated hit musical, ROCK OF AGES announced today that Emily Padgett - who rocked out as "Sherrie" in during the show's run at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre - will return to take over the lead role on Monday, November 7, 2011. Rebecca Faulkenberry, who has performed the role of "Sherrie" since ROCK OF AGES moved to the Helen Hayes Theatre on March 24, 2011, will play her final performance on Sunday, November 6. (more...)

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark announced the second honoree of the newly developed "Everyday Heroes" initiative: Horace Greeley High School English teacher, Jacqueline Morelli of Putnam Valley, New York. The "Everyday Heroes" program seeks to shine the spotlight on people who embody heroism in their daily lives. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the honorary evening. (more...)

In last night's Halloween episode of 'The Simpsons,' the cartoon featured a jibe at Broadway's SPIDER-MAN, when Homer was paralyzed from a spider bite. SPIDER-MAN spokesperson Rick Miramonez commented on the episode: "Everyone at SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark was extremely flattered by last night's tribute on ‘The Simpsons.' ‘The Simpsons' is an iconic American institution, and being part of last night's episode was an honor and dream come true. As a token of their appreciation, the SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark producers, Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris, have invited the entire Simpsons family (including, and especially Bart) on an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to sit front row at a performance of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, and then come backstage for a meet-and-greet with the cast and for a champagne toast (the French stuff)." (more...)

SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark (Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris, Producers) hosted a special ticket giveaway in celebration of Halloween on Wednesday, October 26th. All children in costume at the matinee performance were invited to meet Spider-Man and take a photo with him immediately following the performance! Check out photos of the mini Spideys below! (more...)