CMU School of Drama


Friday, April 22, 2011

Injured Performer Heading Back to 'Spider-Man' Early

NYTimes.com: "At first Christopher Tierney’s doctors said that he wouldn’t be able to rejoin the cast of Broadway’s “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” until midsummer at the earliest, only after he had pins removed from his lower back and finished physical therapy to recover from a 30-foot fall off a platform during the musical’s Dec. 20 performance. Yet Mr. Tierney, who managed to be up and walking two weeks after sustaining four broken ribs and three fractured vertebrae, had the pins taken out two weeks ago and is healthy enough to return to rehearsals for “Spider-Man” on Monday, his father, Tim, said in an interview on Thursday.

2 comments:

Nicole Addis said...

I understand he had an extraordinary speedy recovery but this actor did sustain a massive injury and should rest. The article states that he has the most physically strenuous role in the cast. Why would doctors or even the producers allow him to rush back into that even if he has recovered quicker than expected? It could easily throw him back into a fit or other injuries. At least let him take a month more to allow his body to settle and calm down, maybe even slowly get back into the routine of his job to see how it feels after doing it 8 shows a week.

Charles said...

Well I mean yes it sounds like he may be returning a little prematurely, but if he's ready... he's ready, right? I think we can trust that the doctors here are not caving to patient pressure and are really taking the performer's health into consideration above his career.

Though speaking of career, I can understand why he's anxious to get back into the rehearsal hall: new creative team, substantial changes, etc. If he wants to make his mark on this show, then he needs to head back into the room. So maybe he is making some sacrifices, so hopefully he stays safe and uninjured while his body fully recovers.