Caffeinated Clint
Oh this is not good… More proof that this Poltergeist “Spider-Man” stage show should probably be swept away with a broom before it does any more damage.
The troubled production- which recently announced it’ll be delaying it’s official opening (it’s still in previews) until next year because, quite simply, the show isn’t ready to open – tonight encountered it’s biggest drama yet – one of the “Spider-Man : Turn off the Dark” actors fell!
Says Broadway World, “Twitter was flooded earlier tonight with messages from audience members at SPIDER-MAN, with word that an actor fell during the middle of Act 2 when a cable snapped. The show was first put on hold, and then cancelled as ambulances arrived on the scene.
We’ve reached out to the production for official word, you can follow what’s being said on Twitter here and here in the meantime.
BroadwayWorld spoke to an audience member who was there and told us that it right was near the end of the show when the bridge comes down and MJ falls and Spider-Man goes after her. Basically, she went down and he went jumping after her, and you saw the rope come down and then snap back up and then all of a sudden, the stage manager’s voice came on and said that there was going to be a pause. The theatre then stayed dark for a minute or two and then they called the show and brought the house lights back up.
Our source tells us that for most of the audience, there was a moment of “did I really just see that?” foliowed by horror and concern. Coming from where the actor fell, a voice was heard screaming as well which was believed to be lead actress Jennifer Damiano’s voice. As audience members left the theatre, at least one ambulance and fire truck were seen. ”
The site later heard from a stagehand who said, “that this was NOT a flying sequence and that Spider-Man was NOT supposed to drop at all. He was supposed to run to top of the ramp as if to jump with the lights then set to go to black. The cable that snapped is what stops him from going over the edge, and that is what failed. He then fell approximately 30 feet.”
Directed by Julie Taymor and with music by U2′s Bono and The Edge, “Spider-Man : Turn Off The Dark” is, to say the least, an ambitious production. It’s cost millions… and counting.
The official synopsis says the story “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 the audience through a unique entertainment experience in ways never- before-dreamed-possible in live theater.”
