Variety: "Marvel Comics characters never stay dead -- and neither will tuner 'Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark.'
Word among legiters has it that production on the troubled musical will start up again Wednesday with a call to resume work on the show, which has been halted since early August due to what producers call a cash-flow problem.
The industry had recently been hearing that 'Spider-Man' could possibly pick up sometime this week or next, although no official confirmation has been issued by producers or the show's reps."
5 comments:
i never would have thought that a animated comic like spiderman would have been made into a theatrical production but it sounds like a really innovative idea to have a marvel comic go theatrical because the comics are so completely different from theatre in terms of what is valued in aesthetics and even though production costs are expected to be so high, i couldnt imagine spiderman any other way and can't wait for it to come out.
I've been following this story ever since I heard a friend of mine from summer camp auditioned and was about to be offered the part of Mary Jane's little sister before production halted. I, like Grace, was wondering a lot about how Spider-Man could be made into a MUSICAL of all things without sacrificing the intensity and integrity of the characters on the page. It seems like the design and music will be fine (Bono and Julie Taymor leading the charge), but I'm still wondering about the minutae, like web-slinging and swinging... Wait, minutae? That's a MAJOR rigging issue... I have major reserves about the quality of this show and how it can maintain the integrity of the comic-book franchise.
I agree with Brian... I have major doubts on whether or not the show is going to maintain the image of the marvel comics. I can't imagine that making something as well known as Spiderman into a musical is going to pan out very well. I think it would be very interesting to see, especially with the technical aspects that are being planned, but I'm not sure how well the plot is going to work out.
While the news that this production might have a "swinging" chance, I think that along the lines of what Brian said, the idea that the original artistic intent could be maintained is of concern. When making theatre that is based on a previous piece of art, the question "why represent this in this media" must be asked. I believe that unless there is a distinct reason to produce something onstage, it is better left in the media it was created in.
Rigging should not be an issue...it worked for Tarzan pretty well, (as I have heard, I haven't actually seen the show). Being a Batman fan myself, I am not too familiar with the Spiderman comics, I have only seen the movies. I can honestly see no way Spiderman can be made into a musical. With all judgements stretching from the movie adaptation...it is a pretty depressing story. I know depressing musicals can sell, (Sweeney, Jekyll and Hyde, even though I detest Jekyll and Hyde the musical) but really, there are some stories you should not make into musicals. Superheroes and supervillains should stick to the page. I wish I had some concrete reason for thinking this but I really don't. I think it is going to come across as too cheesy, predictable, and unoriginal. But then again, what do I know?
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