SPIDER-MAN Update: New Aerial Sequences, Scene Changes, Musical Tweeks and More

A recent article from Variety asks the question: When will SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark rehearse the changes to the show that have been promised? By the time she show is set to open on March 15, the musical will have set the record for most preview performances. And after returning to a full eight-preview weekly schedule, there isn't much time to do more than perform the show as it is.

"It's more challenging, because it's like working on a car that's still moving," says Glen Berger, who co-wrote the book with director Julie Taymor.

While the extended preview means pumping more money into the show, producer Michael Cohl points out that it's a small amount in comparison to the $65 million already spent on the musical.

"We're not taking apart any of the big sequences, but there's plans in the works for two or three more major changes," says C. Randall White, head of the show's stage managers.

According to White, some of the major changes include updated and new aerial sequences, restaging of some scenes, the reinsertion of some scenes, the cutting of some scenes as well as musical changes.

"Even if it's a 10-second change in a scene, it can eat up an hour or two of tech time," Berger says.

One aerial sequence was added which includes Peter Parker swinging around the theater and over the heads of audience members. At the end, Peter comes down to the stage dangling upside down.
To implement the new sequence, new lighting, music, scenery and hook-ups were required.

White says a lot of time is spent on programming the computer system that operates aerial movement.

Changes have been made to the aerial sequence depicting a battle in Arachne's web.

Additional safety precautions have also been implemented after the onstage injury in December. White says they haven't added much of a burden to the running of the show.

The remaining work is spread over both acts, with an emphasis on the show's final 10 minutes.

Producer Cohl says he is confident that the opening date will not be pushed back any further. "We've got a New York opening on March 15, and we'll open," he says.

"Maintaining the show is going to be as difficult as mounting it," White says. "We won't have to deal with changes, but we will have to deal with teaching. It'll never get a whole lot simpler."

For the original article, Glen Berger, who co-wrote the book with director Julie Taymor. While the extended preview means pumping more money into the show, producer Michael Cohl points out that it's a small amount in comparison to the $65 million already spent on the musical. "We're not taking apart any of the big sequences, but there's plans in the works for two or three more major changes," says C. Randall White head of the show's team of seven production stage managers. According to White, some of the major changes include updated and new aerial sequences, restaging of some scenes, the reinsertion of some scenes, the cutting of some scenes as well as musical changes. "Even if it's a 10-second change in a scene, it can eat up an hour or two of tech time," Berger says. One aerial sequence was added which includes Peter Parker swinging around the theater and over the heads of audience members. At the end, Peter comes down to the stage dangling upside down. To implement the new sequence, new lighting, music, scenery and hook-ups were required. White says a lot of time is spent on programming the computer system that operates aerial movement. Changes have been made to the aerial sequence depicting a battle in Arachne’s web. Additional safety precautions have also been implemented after the onstage injury in December. White says they haven't added much of a burden to the running of the show. Work that remains to be done is spread over both acts, with an emphasis on the show's final 10 minutes. Producer Cohl says he is confident that the opening date will not be pushed back any further. "We've got a New York opening on March 15, and we'll open," he says. "Maintaining the show is going to be as difficult as mounting it," White says. "We won't have to deal with changes, but we will have to deal with teaching. It'll never get a whole lot simpler." For the original article, click here. " target="_blank">click here.

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.

Tickets are priced from $67.50 - $135 for weekday performances and $67.50 - $140 for weekend performances and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or by calling (877) 250-2929. Tickets are also available at the Foxwoods Theatre box office Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.