With buzz about the troubled Broadway production Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark reaching a fever pitch online, a few news outlets have decided to publish unofficial early reviews of the show more than a month before its current slated opening on Feb. 7. Breaking a longstanding tradition of withholding judgment until opening night, the critics for Bloomberg news service and Newsday have both posted quasi-critiques of the show — and neither paints a flattering picture.
Jeremy Gerard of Bloomsberg (who paid $292.50 for an orchestra seat) calls the musical “an unfocused hodge-podge of story-telling, myth-making and spectacle that comes up short in every department.” He also blasts the “incoherently executed” character Arachne, a new villain invented by director Julie Taymor. (Arachne had been played by actress Natalie Mendoza, who is reportedly leaving the production for unspecified reasons after suffering a concussion in a backstage accident during a performance on Nov. 28.) As for the score by U2′s Bono and The Edge, Gerard says it is “sorely lacking” in good songs. Meanwhile, Newsday‘s Linda Winer praises Taymor’s dramatic staging and scenery, calling the aerial stunts “exciting and scary, in a circus way.” But she critiques the show’s “weak” second act and quotes a theatergoer who says the show’s score was its weakest element.
Traditionally, Broadway shows hold a few weeks of preview performances before allowing critics in just before an official opening night, giving show creators a brief window to make last-minute tweaks. But Spider-Man‘s high media profile, accident-plagued production, and repeated delays (its first preview was Nov. 28) have made critics antsy to weigh in on the spectacle. Still, not everyone is jumping in just yet: Most major news outlets — including Entertainment Weekly — are still withholding reviews until the show finishes making major adjustments. “It’s clear that the producers really are making significant changes and a review that’s out of date when the show opens isn’t all that useful,” explained New York Times Culture editor Jonathan Landman in an interview on the Times‘ Arts Beat blog. “So we’ll wait, but not forever.”
More Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark:
‘Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark’ loses a lead actress: report
Exclusive: ‘Spider-Man’ musical’s new opening date set for Feb. 7
‘Spider-Man’ accident blamed on ‘human error’
‘Spider-Man’ stunt double injured after crashing to stage
‘Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark’ sells $1 million in tickets
Consider these reviews a blessing -its about time someone stood up to the big egos of Taymor and Bono and told them like it is. These Producers have millions to lose and one does not have to be a genious to see how bad both the story (book), dialogue and music/lyrics are. Terrible does not even come close to describing how awful they are. Conceptually the sets and flying sequences are great and the concept of a SpiderMan musical is fine however this needs a complete rewrite in both story and score. I dont see this happening. Just for the record, I saw the preview last Sunday night, spen $150 for two tickets ($300 total)and was really hoping it would be good if not great with some technical issues. Not the case – “Train Wreck” in the making. Sorry guys but it needs to be said.
This show has been plagued with problems from the beginning. It’s been pushed back numerous times and I haven’t really heard anything good about. Sounds like a failure to me.
From the moment this show was announced, the most hard-core Spider-man fans knew it would suck, and lo and behold, it is – and is going to continue to – suck. It was a dumb idea, sold out to high-profile pop stars and pop-culture crap. No interest AT ALL.
I find it curious that a show directed by a woman who has such an amazingly creative mind and such visual flair has such a pedestrian-looking, dull poster.
I agree. That poster is terrible. And why does it say “Directed by Julie Taymor & Glen Berger” at the top and then “Directed by Julie Taymor” again at the bottom?
Good point there.
I’m not sure that Spider-Man could ever have been successfully realized as a Broadway musical, but clearly, Taymor was not the person to do it.
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha.
Yikes, almost $300…for a PREVIEW? Can we say ripoff?
i paid $160 a while before the show came out. i agree with everything the reviews are saying so far. the score is plainly awful. the aerial stunts are exciting but nowhere to be seen in the second act- the second act being a complete mess. the ending was anti-climatic and pathetic. and the character of Arachne, while very cool looking was absolute annoying and stupid. this show needs a major overhaul
This show was TERRIBLE … I saw it last night and it was one of the worst productions I’ve ever seen on Broadway.
No Continuity whatsoever .. needless characters, weak score and singing, inconsistent design and effects. I was so so disappointed!
And for the record, Spidey doesn’t shoot webs, stick to wall or use Spidey sense in this show.
???
If the musical’s weak point is the score, how can they fix that by February 7th? I think these early reviews have merit.
There isn’t one memorable song in the show.
If they’re charging $200 a seat for the previews then the audience deserves a review.
Such a giant waste of money.
Giving it “a few weeks” for previews is one thing. But three months? Considering they’re still selling tickets at such a huge price, I’d say it’s officially opened whether they like it or not.
“Spider-Man, Spider-Man, Taymor’s musical is in the can! Shoot a web, hit the floor! Watch the audience walk out the door! Bad news! The Sh-it has hit the fan! Go see it while you can! Goodbye to Spider-Man!!!”
I saw this show last night at the 8pm showing. It was literally the worst thing I have ever seen in my entire life and we had 2 of the best seats in the house. No plot, bad songs, 3 different stories going on and failed stunts. Huge waste of money on a ton of crap. COMPLETELY self-indulgent on the Director’s part. Wake up, open your eyes and realize that it’s garbage. Re-write the whole thing. It will not be on Broadway by Summer.