RIALTO CHATTER: Bono Now 'Hands-On' in SPIDER-MAN Rehearsals and More

While some have criticized Bono for not being around for SPIDER-MAN's early previews, due to previous touring commitments in New Zealand, he is now back in town and fully involved with the production that features his music and lyrics. 

BroadwayWorld.com has confirmed that he is working with the cast and creative team on the show (as would be expected) and is getting 'hands-on' this week along with The Edge at all vocal rehearsals, orchestra work and other details of the production as he's made his commitment to the show well known to those at the Foxwoods Theatre. 

There's no word yet on specific changes that might now be coming to the production now that it's composer and lyricist are on site, but we're told that work continues primarily this week on the show's new finale, work on the geek's bedroom scene and on tightening parts of the show's second act, with other work to come next. The show is in heavy rehearsal today throughout the Foxwoods Theatre and Studios. 

It was announced last week that Bono and The Edge will be attending all future previews of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark, according to production spokesman Rick Miramontez. "[They] will be in the theater next week and for all of the preview performances leading up to the opening night working on the show," added Miramontez.

Miramontez spoke to Entertainment Weekly against the early critiques of the show. "I think it's disrespectful, especially to Julie Taymor," he says. "And that's what makes all of us crazy." Miramontez added that both cast and crew remain enthusiastic. "They're very upbeat. I think they were extremely proud to have given the performance they did when they came back last Thursday. If anything, this has created a [sense of] solidarity."

On December 17, Lead producer Michael Cohl announced that SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark has (again) delayed its opening night (previously set for January 11, 2011) to Monday, February 7. Directed by Julie Taymor and featuring a book by Julie Taymor and Glen Berger, and new music and lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge, SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark is now in previews at Broadway's Foxwoods Theatre (213 West 42nd Street).

All performances prior to the new opening night will go on as planned.

In a statement, Cohl said, "The creative team is implementing truly exciting changes throughout the preview process. Due to some unforeseeable setbacks, most notably the injury of a principal cast member, it has become clear that we need to give the team more time to fully execute their vision. SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark is an extremely ambitious undertaking, as everyone knows, and I have no intention of cutting a single corner in getting to the finish line."

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 and finds astonishingly fresh ways to tell a story inspired by over 40 years of Marvel comic books. The show follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down when he's bitten by a genetically altered spider and wakes up the next morning clinging to his bedroom ceiling. This bullied science-geek suddenly endowed with incredible powers soon learns, however, that with great power comes great responsibility as villains put both his physical strength and strength of character to the test. SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark will thrill audiences through a unique entertainment experience in ways never-before-dreamed-possible in live theater.