Department of Consumer Affairs OKs SPIDER-MAN's Preview Advertising

The New York Times reports that SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark's new advertising has been considered by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, and has been found to be satisfactory to warn potential ticket buyers that they will may not be attending a fully completed performance to date through March 15th.

BroadwayWorld previously reported that Bill de Blasio, public advocate of New York City, was campaigning for the Department of Consumer Affairs to make audience members aware that the very delayed show is still not a finished product. De Blasio claimed that the musical "may be in violation of consumer protection laws," because the show makes no mention that it is still in previews.

On the website, there is now large text that reads: "NOW IN PREVIEWS ON BROADWAY. OPENS MARCH 15TH". This text is displayed before the user enters the site or has the option to buy tickets.

Kay Sarlin, in a statement on behalf of the Department of Consumer Affairs, says that "Current advertisements now more clearly indicate preview status, and our talks with the Broadway League, the industry's association, reassures us that the League has been and will continue to be proactive in notifying its members that previews for all productions must be so advertised."

SPIDER-MAN was not the only show being warned to more clearly differentiate preview performances from performances following an official opening night; Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the Broadway League, tells the New York Times that the Broadway League has notified all incoming spring shows to be clear in their advertising, including on their websites. "I don't think anyone was intentionally not doing it," she says.

Featuring direction by Tony® Award-winner Julie Taymor (The Tempest, Across The Universe, The Lion King), music and lyrics by 22-time Grammy® Award-winners Bono and The Edge, a book co-written by Taymor and Glen Berger (Underneath The Lintel) and one of the most iconic title characters of all time, SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark is the most ambitious production ever undertaken on Broadway. Opening night is currently set for March 15.

Read the full New York Times article here.