Spider-Man: The Musical, music by U2

Hulk: Turn Off Dark

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41m-zerzJUL._SS500_.jpg
Howie B: Turn the Dark Off

spidey project still going strong, second show about to sell out
http://thespideyproject.blogspot.com/2011/03/normal-0-0-1-366-2091-17-4-2567-11.html

So long farewell etc.:

A lead producer of “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” has told at least two investors and one other person involved with the Broadway musical that its director, Julie Taymor, will step aside once negotiations about complex contractual matters like her creative legal rights and her considerable financial stake in any profits are concluded, according to the investors and a person in a senior position within the show’s management.

All three people, who spoke anonymously because the producer, Michael Cohl, has asked that information remain private, said that he had told Ms. Taymor that she had to step aside so the producers could bring in a new team to overhaul the $65 million production. Yet Ms. Taymor’s departure from the musical would be an enormously complicated matter given that she is its creator, director, mask designer and one of its two script-writers.

On a personal level both sides want to find a way for Ms. Taymor — who has worked on the show for nine years — to leave while also saving face.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/03/10/theater/10taymor/10taymor-articleLarge.jpg

"Yes, that is a door, and you are leaving through it."

the most fitting exit would be for her to fling herself off the platform that that body double fell off of

Man, what a fail upwards, lose is a win for Taymor. She's going to get a truck of cash for walking away from the production she screwed up. I bet Bono is watching with envy, wishing his songs were even worse so that he could open his own golden parachute and tandem jump.

Not according to Richard Johnson

http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/03/09/030911-gossip-spider-man/

Bono and U2 guitarist, The Edge, precipitated Taymor's exit when they finished their tour of South Africa, came back to New York and saw the show. Bono suggested some improvements, but Taymor wasn't receptive..."Bono will do some more work on the show. He really feels it can be a masterpice, as opposed to a survivability test for young actors. Bono and Edge will make it more of a Broadway musical...Taymor didn't want to make changes. Her attitude was 'take it or leave it'...when she lost the trust of Bono, that was it for her."

when she lost the trust of Bono, that was it for her.

oh my GOD

I'm not even going to bother c/p-ing that multiple times because you can never reach infinity

The irony of Bono assuming to know how to make "more of a Broadway musical" more than a highly successful Broadway director does is not acknowledged.

Also, judging from the "survivability test" crack, it sounds like he'd just take down a bunch the ropes and have people stand on stage singing his awful songs that nobody's liked.

I think the only thing better than the trainwreck of death that the show has become would be to remove all of the life-threatening bits from it and just turn it into ppl singing some really stupid shit

Bono's shooting more for:
http://www.littlestuffedbull.com/images/comics/adff288-capbway.jpg

oh wow I totally remember that ad

Marvel's got a great track record w/ Broadway Musicals so far.

'Captain America' boasts a hero-sized $4 million budget. IT'S going to be a big one, if everything works out as befits a musical named ''Captain America.'' Big, in this case, means a budget of $4 million - a lot of money, even for a superhero fighting for the American dream, the flag and the woman he loves. The superhero will not, in fact, be particularly super when the curtain goes up. The book by Mel Mandel and Norman Sachs (who are also responsible for music and lyrics) has Captain A. going through a mid-life crisis. Fortunately, the action speeds up - his girlfriend, a candidate for President, is captured by terrorists and held hostage at the Lincoln Memorial. That's enough of the plot - when you invest millions, as are Shari Upbin, James Galton and Marvel Comics and some as yet untapped sources, you're entitled to a few secrets.

never premiered, apparently

Clearly the solution is that Bono plays Spider-Man.

He's probably been angling for that the whole time.

Meanwhile in the 'shut up, you' department:

BONO FINALLY returned to the scene of his crime last week - shockingly, his first visit to the victim in two months.

The next afternoon, the two of me - tech lover and music critic - also went to inspect this long-suffering creature...

I don't think anyone could believe in Bono as Spiderman. Fans of music and superheroes identify him too strongly with the man who defeated MacPhisto in the "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" video.

Oh my gosh: For the film Batman Forever, Joel Schumacher attempted to create a role for Bono as MacPhisto, but both later agreed it was not suitable.

I read that as 'not subtle' and was wondering how either of them would think that was a bad thing.

Formal NYT report up:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/10/theater/julie-taymor-spider-man.html

And in honor of that, tonight:

A preview performance of "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" came to a halt Wednesday night during one of the Broadway musical's aerial stunts, a fight between Spider-Man and Green Goblin.
After soaring over the audience, Green Goblin's flight came to a stop when his steering mechanism failed. While the Goblin dangled over the stage and Spider-Man stood on a balcony ledge waiting to fly, the actors mugged for the laughing crowd.
A stage manager finally told the audience that the stunt would have to be canceled for safety reasons and Spidey and GG were returned to earth.
"I think they handled it well," said Avi Schwartz, 23, of Brooklyn, who was seeing the show with his wife Ariella, 19. "It didn't bother me whatsoever — the show is great."
"It's kind of easy for things to go wrong when people are flying over the audience," Ariella Schwartz said.

Admit it Ned, you're enjoying this!

Of course I am!

Bono and the Edge, for their part, are expected to play a greater role; one of their songs is expected to be a new Act II opener that reflects Peter Parker’s struggle between being a young man and being Spider-man.

I'm sure these 2 new songs will save the show!

"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Spinning For"

"The Fly"?

"Stuck in a Moment," to be performed whenever an actor gets hung up during a wire stunt.

"Unforgettable Wire"

Peter Parker’s struggle between being a young man and being Spider-man.

"I Will Wallow"

i'd love it if they add menial songs for just about every possible Parker daily activity, like "Putting On My Jeans", "Aced the Chem Test", "OMG That Girl's Boobs", etc....

That sounds like a musical of the Spiderman syndicated comic strip.

"It's a puzzle
This daily grind
My head's a mess!
No sleep to find!

*pause*

But though I am dreaming
Of Mary Jane (or Sue? or Deb?)
All I want to know is...

How?
How do I?

SHOT WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEB!"

^newest director

sPIderman: Squaring The Circle

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2011/03/spidey-bites.html

"I don’t know if I should put this on the record, but I’m surprised and a little hurt that they haven’t asked me to do a cameo yet."

More Jack Kirby.

Hahah the weaselly language here:

The revamping of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark represents an unprecedented and historic moment on Broadway. The new version takes the best aspects of the original, adds great new songs by Bono and The Edge, tells the story from a different angle, and will offer an even more thrilling audience experience.

Lead producers Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris said, in a joint statement, "We salute the artists and performers who have made this show an exciting reality, and we look forward to getting to the finish line with the wonderful new version of SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark that is now in the works, with Phil McKinley at the helm."

What if "rampant performer injuries" are considered some of the "best aspects of the original"?

hahahaha

oh they'll be keeping those

Be funny (inevitable?) if the show emerges from this much better and stronger, but ticket sales drop off.

New random details or something.

Funniest detail -- the "Failure is Impossible" award.

Reports!

http://gawker.com/5801702/made+over-spider+man-musical-manages-to-not-kill-anyone-on-its-first-night-back

"opens" next Tuesday! maybe!

"Re-Imagined!"

"Now only slightly worse than seeing Paula Poundstone naked!"