SPIDER-MAN Swings Off Broadway, Part One: The Beginning - Inception, Rumors & Rehearsals

As BroadwayWorld previously reported,Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark, the Broadway spectacular that defied odds and expectations to conquer New York, will play its final performance at the Foxwoods Theatre on January 4, 2014. Since it began preview performances on November 28, 2010, and even before they bagan, the show's high and lows were in the news, making it one of the most talked about shows in Broadway history.To tribute Spidey's three years on Broadway, BroadwayWorld will comemmorate it's run with a series of flashbacks to help you relive all of the excitement that iias and was Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.

Today's edition of 'SPIDER-MAN Swings Off Broadway' focuses on the show's beginnings, recalling Spidey's journey from inception in April 2007, until previews began at the Foxwoods Theater on November 28, 2010. For over three years, rumors circulated about the comic book hero's trip to Broadway, and after a major cast shuffle and a few initial production delays, the first version of the musical at last performed for Broadway audiences.

April 26, 2007: First Plans Announced

Rumors begin to circulate that a new musical based on Spider-Man will soon weave a web over Broadway audiences. A casting notice reveals that the musical, soon to be presented in an Equity 29-hour rehearsed reading, will be directed by Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor, with music and lyrics byU2's Bono and The Edge and a book by Taymor and Glen Berger.

April 20, 2007: Marvel Confirms

Marvel Studios confirms that plans are underway to create the musical, produced by HELLO Entertainment/David Garfinkle, Martin McCallum, Marvel Entertainment, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

September 23, 2008: Show Planned for 2009

Marvel Studios Chairman David Maisel tells an audience at the Thomas Weisel Consumer Conference in New York that the Spider-Man musical might at last hit Broadway in 2009. The show has been in the works for three and a half years, with casting calls throughout the summer heating up talk about the show.

February 19, 2009: Plans Delayed

Bloomberg News reports that production delays have forced the musical to push back plans for a workshop until late summer and begin rehearsals in the late fall for a Broadway opening at the Hilton Theater likely in early 2010.

February 22, 2009: Evan Rachel Wood Announcences Attachment

After months of speculation, Evan Rachel Wood confirms on the Oscars red carpet that she has been cast as "Mary Jane" in the Broadway-bound musical.

June 26, 2009: Alan Cumming Officially Joins Cast

An announcement is made that offcially verifies that Alan Cumming will star as Spidey's nemisis- The Green Goblin. SPIDER-MAN will now begin preview performances Thursday, February 25, 2010 at the Hilton Theatre.

August 12, 2009: Production Stops to Make More Technical Preparations

Spider-Man becomes caught up in the web of it's massive budget. Variety reveals 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."

August 13, 2009: Marquee Goes Up at Hilton Theatre

Despite rumors that production has haulted, the marquee for the new musical is unveiled on 42nd Street. No date for resuming any production work has been announced at this time.

October 22, 2009: Delays Set Opening Back Until Spring 2009

The New York Times confirms that the financially malnourished show is now expected to begin previews and open in the Spring of 2010 due to the weeks of production delays and financial difficulties that have plagued the multi-million dollar mega project for months.

November 6, 2009: Reeve Carney is Spider-Man

After an exhaustive search that included a casting call tour spanning six cities and thousands of candidates, the producers and creative team select Reeve Carney to play the role of Peter Parker, The Amazing Spider-Man. Carney joins previously announced cast members Evan Rachel Wood as Mary Jane Watson, Peter Parker's girlfriend and Alan Cumming as Norman Osborn (aka Green Goblin).

January 12, 2010: Show Delayed Again; Evan Rachel Wood Departs

The producers of Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark announce another schedule change.The production will not begin preview performances on February 25, 2010. Evan Rachel Wood Departs the show because of a 'scheduling conflict.'

April 19, 2010: Alan Cumming Leaves the Cast

Alan Cumming cuts ties with SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off The Dark. Says a rep for Cumming: "He's disappointed...He's been attached to Spider-Man for a year and he was hopeful that it would make it to the stage and he'd be a part of it."

July 21, 2010: Rehearsals Officially Begin

Though the full, new cast has not yet been announced, it is revealed that rehearsals for the much-delayed and much anticipated SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark will officially begin on August 16, 2010.

August 10, 2010: New Castmembers Announced

New lead producer Michael Cohl announces that Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark will begin preview performances on Broadway on Sunday, November 14, 2010, at 3 p.m., with Opening Night set for Tuesday evening, December 21. Joining the previously announced Reeve Carney as 'Peter Parker/Spider-Man,' are Tony® Award nominee Jennifer Damiano as 'Mary Jane Watson' and Patrick Page as 'Norman Osborn/The Green Goblin.'

September 10, 2010- SPIDER-MAN Is Introduced to the World

Reeve Carney introduces the first song on Good Morning America. Carney performed the song, composed by Bono and The Edge at the Hudson Theatre in the Millennium Hotel, with the performance broadcast live during the 8am-9am hour.

October 29, 2010: Aubin Injured During Rehearsals

Michael Riedel reports that SPIDER-MAN's Kevin Aubin, one of several performs said to be appearing in a SPIDER-MAN outfit had broken both of his wrists during a small presentation for ticket brokers and group sales agents. Producer Michael Cohl tells the NYP: "With a show as complex as this, safety is the top priority for everyone at 'Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark" Soon after, The New York Times reports that a second SPIDER-MAN performer has come forward to report an injury as a result of the show's complicated stunts. This second performer - who remains anonymous - claims to have broken both feet during the same catapult stunt from which Kevin Aubin broke both wrists.

November 5, 2010: Opening Pushed to 2011

Lead producer Michael Cohl announces that Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark has delayed its first performance and that they will now begin preview performances on Broadway on Sunday, November 28, 2010. Opening Night is now set for Tuesday evening, January 11, 2011.

November 28, 2010: Safety Inspectors Approve Flying Sequences

Safety inspectors from the New York State Department of Labor see and sign off on all 27 flying sequences in SPIDER MAN to promote safety, and the show begins previews on this night at 6:30 pm.