Spider-Man Musical Hanging By a Thread!

Producers have confirmed what the Post's Michael Riedel revealed on Friday: Julie Taymor's big budget Broadway musical adaptation of "Spider-Man"—believed to be the most expensive production in the history of Broadway—has big problems. (Besides being a musical about Spider-Man.) Insiders say Taymor's burning through money at an alarming rate, and the budget for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark could easily hit $50 million. Now work on the production has been suspended because of "an unexpected cash flow problem," and rumor has it that Sony and Marvel are ousting the show's lead producer, David Garfinkle, a showbiz lawyer with virtually no producing experience. With music and lyrics by U2's Bono and the Edge, and direction from the woman who brought you The Lion King, it seems inevitable that the spectacle will debut someday, and a publicist insists it will begin previews as scheduled in February, 2010. But Riedel declares, "If that happens, I'll eat my young."

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By John Del Signore in Arts and Events on August 10, 2009 3:01 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

Spiderman just needs a good case of A.I.D.S and a ridiculously high rent payment and he's off to the races.

AvenueHebrew

So let's see - you have a creative property that's already been exploited to the breaking point in comic books, movies, cartoons, cereals, video games, and so on. But more specifically, one that relies quite heavily on cinematic flair and trickery that, when framed on a single stage space only brings to mind the flat image of silly and clumsy wire-rig acrobatics.

Then you hire the world's most overrated, overinflated ego to direct it, ensuring a bloated budget and obnoxious staging that will probably use bizarre puppets and paper mache for some fucking reason.

Then you put the music in the hands of the two boringest fucking hacks in rock and roll, this side of Nickelback.

Then you give it an awkward, meaningless name that opens the whole thing up for a myriad of snarky puns from critics and confused shrugs from audiences.

Shit, how is this not an investor's dream? Put me down for a million!

drewo

Spidey sense says: some things should just remain as comic books.

RevWaldo

- Max, let's call it a night. It's two in the morning. I don't know what I'm reading anymore.

- Read, read! We've got to find the worst play ever written. (Picks up a manuscript) Hmmm..."After being bitten by a radioactive spider, Peter Parker awakes the next morning to find he has superhuman abilities." Nah, it's too good.

CityFace

That's the funniest thing I've read in ages. If I had any money, I'd send you some. Unfortunately, all I have is a hearty laugh. Ha!

RevWaldo

Cheers!

nomnomnom

I suppose they have a problem so large that only a super hero could help get it back on track?

longacre

Solution: Change the title and the main character to a Spider-Pig.

matty

Spiderman, Spiderman,

Does whatever a spider can

Spins a web, any size,

Catches thieves just like flies

Look Out!

Here comes the Spiderman.

Is he strong?

Listen bud,

He's got radioactive blood.

Can he swing from a thread

Take a look overhead

Hey, there

There goes the Spiderman.

In the chill of night

At the scene of a crime

Like a streak of light

He arrives just in time.

Spiderman, Spiderman

Friendly neighborhood Spiderman

Wealth and fame

He's ingnored

Action is his reward.

To him, life is a great big bang up

Whenever there's a hang up

You'll find the Spider man.