www.backstage.com: Broadway’s “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” has finally disentangled itself from the 17-month legal dispute between former director Julie Taymor and the show’s current producers. With the settlement, 8 Legged Productions—the entity behind the Broadway tuner—can now focus on boosting profitability, potentially through additional productions of the show outside New York.
But can a show that gained early notoriety for injuries dealt to its actors in the Foxwoods Theatre’s made-to-order space safely launch in a touring version, or will traveling turn out to be Spider-Man’s kryptonite? (Sorry, wrong superhero.)
9 comments:
Although I understand that the SPider Man, after long lasted lawsuit; tries to increase its profitability by performing outside the US, it is hard to understand why they are planning this right now. Ithink the most important thing for now is to focus on successful and stable performance in New York. Looking at precedant accidents, I am doubtful that any kind of accident is possible for the actors next time because spider man deals with such aggressive and dangerous actions like flying. However, if the team has to move to another city to perform with completely new theatre that has different system, it can cause another disaster and it should be seriously considered because such accident can be very hazardous for actor's career. Moreover, as the article says, it will be extra charge for them to move around with extra charge for advanced techniques too. I am really glad that they made a settlement for the lawsuit, but I want the producers to take a safer and more precise step before they decide to change things because they will not want to be on news with another negative incidents again, which will only decrease audiences' credibiltiy or support.
I agree with Elaine. I understand that after this long drawn-out lawsuit, the people behind Spiderman are attempting to make more money by thinking of extending this production beyond the walls of NYC, BUT, I do not think this is the right time to do this. You just settled a lawsuit. Its like settling a divorce and marrying another person...but not exactly. I think, like Elaine, that they need to stabilize their reputation in NYC before sending this production around the country. It will definitely cost them to do everything safely and to figure out how to create their scenery and fly systems for different venues around the country.
What Nathan and Elaine dont realize is that in they article they even mention that if they do chose to move out of New York and start touring they would have to redesign the show. With a portable rig that they can insall in potentially smaller venues. If they were to tour it would most likely not be the same show. There is still the concern that it took them so long to make this resident show safe for the actors now if they are going to redesign the show then how long will it take for the performers get used to a new show. Hopefully the fight captains and choreographers will be able to take all the mistakes that have happened with the show already and be able to learn from them.
To me, the idea that this show morphs into an arena tour seems much more feasible than doing a tour to the traditional proscenium venues. It would make much more sense for a show to travel with all its rigging to arenas than it would to deal with individual rigging challenges and changes from proscenium venue to venue, which there would be many of. Safety would obviously need to be of utmost importance in the development of a new version of the show, especially given the plethora of injuries that were been sustained toward the beginning of its run. However, just because the show can be made into a touring version, doesn't mean it should be. Yes, the producers want to recoup their investment, but it will be important to look and see if the market really can sustain such a large show with a not so great track record of success.
I think the best way to make this work is to take a Cirque approach to it. I think that you can't truly see if a theatre is going to work until you go there. I think that a fair amount of improvising will occur if the theatre is not ideal. This is when safety becomes a chief concern... I think like the author mentioned it would be much safer and possibly more profitable if it was a stationary show that was centered around an entertainment hub. I think this would be better for actors as well as producers. I don't know how much it costs to charter a 747 or even seven 747s but that is certainly going to cut into profit margins...
This really does not sound like a good idea. I understand that they have improved the saftey features and everything but touring is a whole different ball game. This show has already caused so many injuries both to bodies and careers I would hate to see it cause even more damage. I feel like this show going on tour is just an invitation for disaster. This seems like a case of people not knowing when to quit.
I do think the idea of having the show travel with its own rigging like circ sounds like a really good idea. at least it does on paper. There is however the issues of that having more room for human error and even room for injury and also the cost alone could make this impossible. I am not sure, but spiderman cant be doing too amazingly as far as profit is concerned.
I guess we will just have to wait and here how these tours turn out.
I don't understand why they would consider redesigning the show and bringing it on tour. It's good that they sorted out their issues and that no one has been injured recently but I still don't think that bringing it on tour is a good idea. There is still a profit to be made on the broadway stage, which is great. but revamping the entire show could change what mad it so appealing. Also people who buy tickets because of the show reviews the read about the broadway show might be let down by the performance they are coming to see. That's not to say that it will go terribly awry. it could turn out great. but I think with it's past track record, they should just take their profits where they can get them and then close up shop.
It seems like, either way, Spider-Man would be spending a whole lot of money if they were to take the show on tour. Either they would have to spend the money redesigning and building the show, or they would have to rent out arena spaces and transport all of their rigging equipment in addition to their set pieces. I'm confused as to why the creative team behind this show thinks that bringing the show on tour would be a solution to the show's financial struggles. First off, the production in New York has not proved to be very successful. Scandal has run rampant in the news following the spidey accidents and the lawsuit with Taymor. So why would bringing the show on tour solve these issues? I think it would be best for the producers to focus on their marketing and publicity on Broadway, and then go from there.
It seems like, either way, Spider-Man would be spending a whole lot of money if they were to take the show on tour. Either they would have to spend the money redesigning and building the show, or they would have to rent out arena spaces and transport all of their rigging equipment in addition to their set pieces. I'm confused as to why the creative team behind this show thinks that bringing the show on tour would be a solution to the show's financial struggles. First off, the production in New York has not proved to be very successful. Scandal has run rampant in the news following the spidey accidents and the lawsuit with Taymor. So why would bringing the show on tour solve these issues? I think it would be best for the producers to focus on their marketing and publicity on Broadway, and then go from there.
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