In a sign that Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is still very much a work in progress even after this week’s pre-opening reviews, EW has confirmed that the Broadway show’s producers have been soliciting audiences to participate in focus groups to help the creators hone in on trouble spots in the weeks leading up to the official March 15 opening. In an e-mail sent on Feb. 8 and obtained by EW, people were invited to see either the first or second act separately and then fill out a survey and take part in a 15-minute discussion. In exchange, participants were promised a “Spider-Man goodie bag worth over $60.” A source close to the production verified the email but declined to elaborate on specific issues being addressed by the groups. The show’s official spokesperson, Rick Miramontez, provided the following statement on the matter: “In an effort to gather as much audience feedback as possible the production is continuing to hold focus groups and surveys, just as it has throughout most of its preview period.”
The news adds credence to the claim, made repeatedly by producer Michael Cohl, that director Julie Taymor and her team are still making significant tweaks to the long-delayed show. Several major publications, including the New York Times and the L.A. Times, ran reviews of the musical earlier this week, often citing impatience over its extended preview period. (The original opening was scheduled for late 2010.)
Read more:
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Glenn Beck passionately reviews Broadway’s ‘Spider-Man’: ‘This is better than Wicked!’
‘Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark’: The first (unofficial) reviews are in
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‘Spider-Man’ the musical on ’60 Minutes’: A first look at a big hit or a big turkey?
Tell them to read the feedback on this blog.
A goodie bag worth $60…is that a bribe.
It might be hazard pay!
Feedback on the first half: Fun, enjoyable.
Feedback on the second half: Deadly boring. Scrap the whole thing. Get rid of Arachne. Extend the Green Goblin storyline.
Where’s my $60 goodie bag?
Right Here! (points to crotch.)
bahahahahahahaha
Agree 100% with you assessment. That character is awful but becomes the main focus of the show
I’m still confused by the awful poster for this show. Why does it say “Directed by Julie Taymor” twice??
BIG EGO
“significant tweaks” still being made. Sounds like the kiss of death. What a mess.
“Turn Off the Dark” is just so dumb.
1. Get rid of the title
2. Stick to one villian- Green Goblin
3. Do more test stunts to make sure that all is well.
Still seriously, they do not need a focus group. It is not “Wicked”! If the critics say it is a flop, it is.
I think critics were pretty negative to “Wicked” too, coincidentally.
Fantastic post, thanks. You made some thought provoking comments.