Saturday, March 26, 2011
‘Spider-Man’ Overhaul Includes Loss of a Major Element
NYTimes.com: "The geeks are gone. In the first major change confirmed for Broadway’s “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” the critically panned Geek Chorus of narrators — a strategic device in the musical — will be cut altogether during the show’s hiatus this spring, three members of the production said on Thursday night.
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11 comments:
Okay, two things. First of all, I find the cutting of four characters who were meant to represent the four creators of this flawed production to be deliciously symbolic (the irony here is also thick enough to cut with a beam saw). This is actually the first I've heard of the Geek Chorus and it sounds to me like it was one of those late night session solutions that never dies. "We've got this problem. Rather than FIX the problem, let's just cover it up. Plus, the name's really clever; and I want everyone to see how cleaver I, uh, we are..."
Oh and secondly, HIATUS? The show's going on a HIATUS? The damn thing's not even officially OPEN yet and they're putting it on a three-week HIATUS???
THANK GOD!!!! When I saw the show I hated this aspect of the show. They were absolutely meaningless. I think this is a sign that the show could actually be good after the hiatus. I think a lot of things need to happen to fix this show but they are on the right track. I also hate Taymor's Arachnae character and apparently her role is being scaled back so this could be signs that the production may be good.
It indeed seems like this came about as a result of reasoning from the converse: some things don't fit together, so let's create something that ties them together. We often have to resort to this; however, I think that the preferred method is initially creating things that fit together, and certainly that's how plot elements of such magnitude should be made.
It's fantastic that the new creative team is not afraid to make changes necessary for a successful show.
While I am all for working on things until we get them right, it's a shame 4 actors had to be let go for that to happen. This relates back to what everyone else has been saying because had creative team 1.0 not used this Geek Chorus coverup in the first place, they might have produced a better plot structure from the start, not be going through massive overhaul, and not gotten 4 young hopefuls too excited. It sounds like a cheesy reaction, yes, but imagine making your broadway debut (it was the debut for two members of the group) then having your part cut? that's gotta suck
This is very interesting that they are making this change in the show. When I saw the show I figured out quickly that the geaks where there to add time for large set changes that need to be done. There was a thing that did not quite mesh with the rest of the show, now that they are gone I wonder what they are going to do to fill that time that they need for the set changes. This is definitely showing that this show will have major changes coming in the next few months. I just hope that the things that make you say wow will not be dropped from the show. I hope them the best in coming months changing the show.
It's great that they are cutting this pointless and bizarre part of the show, not only for the show but for the actors as well. Get out! Get out while you can! Before you know it actors might be sacrificing themselves for the "good" of the production. I worry that all this cutting and reworking will only plunge the show into more a mess. I can't imagine being the Spiderman producers, they must be so incredibly stressed. I hope that the hiatus revives the show a bit, but doesn't make it lose the enjoyable thrill of the downfall that makes it a show everyone wants to see.
I agree with Jackson, thank God!!! I found the Geek Chorus to be pointless. Most of the time they just sat on stage watching. Hopefully letting the story reveal itself more without the Geek Chorus after the "hiatus" will be better. The story does need a major overhaul and cutting down on Arachnae would be a great choice! It sucks that 4 characters have to be cut, but in the end its much better for the show.
The whole "Geek Chorus" thing was bizarre and guessing that it was largely Julie Taymor's idea to include this pretentious symbolism/homage to the Greek culture. The Geek Chorus essentially alienated me as an audience member and as a result, I honestly did not care for any of the actual characters. Although the book definitely needs major help even with this cut, it's definitely a start. I just find it ridiculous that these weekly/daily headlines are overshadowing some of the other shows on Broadway that deserves some spotlight, like the Book of Mormon which got mostly rave reviews.
This aspect of the show also was the most troubling aspect for the comic book community, so I am glad to see it removed as well. I didn't see the show, so I could be wrong, but from my understanding the "geeks" didn't really shed a very positive light on comic book fans in general. I think bringing in a comic book writer may have been a big reason for this change to occur; there is a very obvious audience for this show in the comic book community, and finding a way to alienate them would really not be in the show's best interest.
Wow do I agree with EVERYONE. I think Jake nailed it and he did not even see the show. I did see and and the geek chorus should have been called the "Hey-let's-stop-the-show so-we-can-all-talk-about-what-is-going-on-for-5-minutes-and-suck- everyone-out-of-the-thinly-veiled-world-that--the-plot-has-created." The show I saw had to spot for a mechanical failure and THAT did not ruin the pace of the show as much as the geek chorus.
Im completely different news, I am now compelled to see the show a second time to see if all these changes worked.
I must admit that when I saw the show the Geek Chorus did seem unnecessary. I feel like this was one of those late night ideas that was brought in to the daylight where it doesn't belong. The original creators obviously got attached to the idea and no matter how many people told them it was wrong they wouldn't let it go. It shows that a designer needs to be flexible and not attach themselves to and idea. Things thought of at 3a.m. should never see the light of day they are never as good or as funny as you thought they were when you were sleep deprived. On a more serious note thought I think it is good they new team is jumping right into changes. It shows that they are not afraid to make the major changes the show needs, and they are not letting they bad press discourage their efforts.
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