Lead Actress Quitting Spider-Man Musical

Natalie Mendoza, seen here in a scene from Spider-Man: Turn On the Dudes

The Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark star who suffered a concussion during the show's first preview performance is quitting the production, Arts Beat reports. Producers have not issued an official statement yet, but Natalie Mendoza, who plays Arachne, is presumably leaving the show while she can walk away without a cane. The actress had been struck in the head by a rope holding a piece of equipment during the November 28th performance, and despite a doctor's recommendation that she take time off, she appeared in the next performance three days later, but later complained of headaches and nausea.

Mendoza was out for two weeks, but returned briefly to the production on December 20th, the same night that lead aerialist Christopher Tierney fell nearly 30 feet and broke his ribs. Mendoza did not return after that night; she's been "on vocal rest" ever since. On Sunday, she wrote on Facebook that she was down to two nausea tablets and four painkillers per day to cope with her concussion, adding, "Thank goodness I had such a brilliant neurologist who made sure I recovered properly. Nice to be almost back to normal…. almost anyway haha!"

For further insight, we turn to the All That Chat message board, were one wag reliably quips, "My speculation is that she just didn't want to perform that horrible and embarrassing 'shoe' number, which was one of the most incomprehensible numbers I have seen on a broadway stage in long time." As for Tierney, following back surgery he was able to walk for the first time since the accident on Friday, and his father tells CNN he wants to return to the show! That would be a miracle, because by the time Tierney's recuperated, there probably won't be a show to return to.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in Arts & Entertainment on December 28, 2010 12:33 PM

Comments [rss]

yahoo-NNLDAGM3JVAXSOAPDFVZ4Z7AEE

Actors can be very superstitious. That's why the expression "break a leg" caught on -- it's based on the belief if you say it, the actor won't literally break a leg and everything will be fine. If the cast really starts to believe otherwise about "Spider-Man," the production is lost and Broadway will post its version of "Waterworld."

FU Boy

MacBeth!

Just Me

I'll web her up...nah..I'll..be her spiderman...I mean...eh..fuck it, she's hot!

robingee

I think she's dodging a bullet here; getting out while the getting is good.

Oh, also MAN SHE SEXY I WANNA DO THINGS TO HER SEXUALLY ETC ETC.

Peanut_Butter

Ha! A brilliant use of caps.

drew_o

Bring in Robbie to edit this mess!

Guest

that's it -- now the show's really over.

langleycollyer

She's taking a safer job as a chainsaw-tester.

hashedz

Saw the matinee on Sunday, and boy did it blow. MAD mag should do a parody called Spider Man: Churn Out The Dreck!
I was hoping to sell the tickets, but the storm scared most folks from coming into the city. The theater was packed, and only witnessed one stoppage. It took about 7 minutes to get Spidey and The Goblin down after their midair fight caused cables to tangle and trip the auto-shutoff. At least that is what we were told via PA announcement. I was hoping it would be better than what I had read from previous reviews, but alas, it wasn't.
Hey, at least I got a Playbill with Spidey on the cover for the price of admission.

robingee

>> Spider Man: Churn Out The Dreck! >>

That is 1000x better than any parody title Mad Magazine has thought of.

(New Kids on the BLECH)

Mordicai

Sounds like she's making the right decision, leaving a haunted & doomed show. I figure-- somebody must have said the name of the Scottish play, right? Or, you know, trouble with the Latvarian embassy.

PS, holy crap do people love to say inappropriate stuff about women in an anonymous context. Stay classy you pack of misogynists!

Rocknrope

I think you need to look up the word "misogyny." You also need to loosen the hell up.

robingee

I wanna lube you up and play Slip n' Slide.

valeriob

I'm gonna miss Tits McGee. That's her name IRL right?

FU Boy

Yeah! I love hearing about the drama with this show.

Now that that's said, excuse me while I wipe up my drool. You need anything while recovering, just let me know, Natalie.

S.D.

As soon as I saw "Spider-Man: Turn On the Dudes" I knew JDS wrote this...
;)

Back on topic: Maybe she's just not recovered yet or just tired of being an actress and a trapeze artist.

In any case, unless this show is the best thing since the wheel, it's doomed.
Hey! I know! A Dr. Doom tie in!

verbal

I'd give her headaches and nausea all night long!

JimboGold853OKG

Brave lady...I know she'll gets lots of other offers, but she's welcome to spin a web around me any time. Also, check out those two interesting "spider dots" in chest area.