Besides the most well known “warlock,” it seems that the other entertainment story plaguing the news these days has been the disaster that is Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. The musical has original songs and lyrics by Bono and The Edge, from the band U2. It was being directed by Julie Taymor, who created the Broadway hit The Lion King, which has grossed over $175 million since opening in 1997. She was a key component as to how Spider-Man attained a $65 million dollar budget, but her golden touch from The Lion King has not carried over. She has recently been replaced as director of the show. You would think with all the star power behind the musical, combined with its insane budget, the show would be a smash hit. Instead, the show has yet to open despite it’s original February 2010 release date.
The only statements I have heard about the Spider-Man musical have been about injuries acquired on the set, actors dropping out, directors being fired, and the insane budget. It seems every week there is another horror story about the musical. Saturday Night Live has had a field day with the musical during “Weekend Update,” and some of their best material has been from the failed Broadway show. You can check out the "interviews" on Hulu. Type in Weekend Update: Spiderman, and Weekend Update: Julie Taymor. Hilarious.
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| Andy Samberg as Ryan Christopher, who plays Spider-Man |
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| Kristen Wiig as Julie Taymor |
Now, I can’t help but wonder if this “failure” of a musical could be the best thing that has happened to Broadway in a long time. Typically Broadway musicals don’t make the Nightly News, but Spider-Man has changed that. It seems like everyone knows about the failures on the Spider-Man set. Much like people can bond over their brackets for March Madness, the Spider-Man musical has turned into a lunch break conversation. Do you think something like this has ever happened to Broadway before? Have men and women, young and old, ever talked about Broadway musicals with such knowledge and opinions? I would venture a guess that this curiosity has had a positive impact on musical sales. Despite it’s many failures and negative press, I believe it is one of the best PR campaigns for Broadway. No press is bad press, and this musical is certainly proving that point. The Spider-Man musical has been the best thing that has happened to Broadway in a long time, and it is not even open yet!
How do you think the musical will do when it finally opens?
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