New York Observer Reviews SPIDER-MAN

Back at Christmas, Newsday and Bloomberg were the first publications to release reviews of Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, despite the fact that the show is not set to open until next month. But, in the words of Newsday critic Linda Winer: "After four premiere push-backs (now to Feb. 7), four high-profile injuries, 19 previews at full price ($75-$150, almost double through brokers), and public investigations by state and federal safety agencies, it seems that critics are now the only interested parties who can't see the bride before the wedding." Both the Newsday and Bloomberg reviews were lukewarm, with Bloomberg critic Jeremy Gerard noting: On the evidence of what I saw, the second act still has yet to be completed. We might expect more of a show that has been in the works for almost nine years." 

Today, The New York Observer has followed in the steps of the aforementioned publications and has released their own review of the 65M mega musical. Jesse Oxfeld's verdict?  High marks for performances, visual effects and stunts, but barely a passing grade for the book and music. 

Overall, Oxfeld advises: "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is, right now, a pleasant evening of entertainment. But this epic story of Peter Parker's transformation is not yet a similarly transporting experience. Everyone-even Bill de Blasio!-keeps reminding us that it's a work still in progress. Perhaps it will yet come to terms with its own destiny.

I'm looking forward to seeing whether it does. If they'll still have me."

To read the full report in the New York Observer, click here.

Spider-Man is currently in previews at the Foxwoods Theatre on Broadway.  After three opening delays since previews began, the production is scheduled to officially open February 7, 2011.