STAGE TUBE: GMA on Mendoza's SPIDER-MAN Exit

BroadwayWorld.com was the first to report back on December 2 when Natalie Mendoza, who plays the lead role of Arachne in SPIDER-MAN: Turn Off the Dark had received a concussion and the role was to be played in her absence by understudy America Olivo. Now the New York Times is reporting that the actress is leaving the production, "as an artistic loss and embarrassing blow to the production" and that lawyers are fine-tuning the language to explain her departure. The paper reports that she last performed in the show on Monday, December 20th, the same performance which had the injury to her fellow performer and friend Christopher Tierney. Check out this clip from 'Good Morining America' on Mendoza's departure from the show.

The production's opening night, (previously set for January 11, 2011) is still set to open on 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).