RIALTO CHATTER: 'SPIDER-MAN' Officially Acknowledges Production Work Stoppage, 'Cash Flow Obstacles' Cited

As we reported earlier this week, the upcoming Broadway musical "SPIDER-MAN, Turn Off the Dark" looks to be caught up in the web of it's massive budget. On August 6th, Variety revealed that "the extensive work being done to prepare for the technically demanding show, both in the shop constructing the physical production and in the theater where "SPIDER-MAN" is due to open, is said to have stopped this week."

A statement was given to today's Sunday The New York Times from the publicists for HELLO Entertainment, one of the producers of "SPIDER-MAN, Turn Off the Dark," saying work had been suspended on the musical because of "an unexpected cash flow problem."

The statement went on to remark that, "The plans necessary for this correction are in hand now, and it is expected that activities, including work in the theater, will resume within the immediate future and with no material impact upon the planned production schedule." To read the Times article click here.

No date for resuming production work has been announced.

A 'SPIDER' rep would only comment to Variety that the production remains on track to begin previews at the Hilton Theater Feb. 25th, with an opening to follow some time in March. To read the full article on the Webslinger's budget battle in Variety click here.

American Express pre-sales began on June 24th. Tickets range from $67.50 to $135, with $275 premium seating available. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For more information click here. Individual tickets for the general public go on sale September 12th.

"SPIDER-MAN, Turn Off the Dark" will play at Broadway's Hilton Theatre, 213 West 42nd Street.

Directed by Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor with 22-time Grammy® Award-winning Bono and The Edge creating new music and lyrics, SPIDER-MAN will be written by Julie Taymor and Glen Berger. You can learn more about the musical by visiting the official "SPIDER-MAN, Turn Off the Dark" website, spidermanonbroadway.marvel.com. 

Evan Rachel Wood will star as Mary Jane Watson, Peter Parker's girlfriend in the upcoming SPIDER-MAN, while Tony Winner Alan Cumming is set to star as the dreaded 'Spidey' foe The Green Goblin.

Drawing from over forty years of Marvel comic books for inspiration, SPIDER-MAN spins a new take on the mythic tale of a young man propelled from a modest rowhouse in Queens to the sky-scraping spire of the Chrysler Building, the bustling offices of the Daily Bugle, through the dizzying canyons of Manhattan, to new vistas never before seen. The musical follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down-literally-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 astonishing powers-soon learns, however, that with great power comes great responsibility as villains test not only his physical strength but also his strength of character. Spider-Man's battles will hurtle the audience through an origin story both recognizable and unexpected--yielding new characters as well as familiar faces--until a final surprising confrontation casts a startling new light on this hero's journey.

The principal creative and design team for SPIDER-MAN includes Daniel Ezralow, Choreographer (Across the Universe, The Green Bird); George Tsypin, Sets (The Magic Flute, The Little Mermaid); Eiko Ishioka, Costumes (Academy Award® for Bram Stoker's Dracula, Tony Award® nomination for M. Butterfly, the opening ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics); Donald Holder, Lighting (Tony® Awards for The Lion King, South Pacific); Jonathan Deans, Sound (Fosse, The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil, Young Frankenstein, Ragtime); and Teese Gohl, Musical Supervisor (Across the Universe, Frida). Additional members of the SPIDER-MAN creative team will be announced at a later date.