"Spiderman" to Become a Broadway Musical

We have seen numerous movies turned into Broadway plays, and many Broadway shows have taken the leap to big screen productions. Now, one of the most popular comic book characters of all time, Spiderman, will be swinging gracefully into Broadway, with a new Broadway show based on the Marvel comics character expected to open sometime in the future. No dates have yet been determined as the Spiderman Broadway show is still in the development stages.

Although the prospect of a Spiderman Broadway show has my own spider-sense tingling, warning me of impending doom, I have to admit I am a bit curious as to how the comic book story line will be adapted to a Broadway musical. Will the cast be able to portray the same emotion as the movie-based characters, and will Spiderman be as effective at fighting villains while serenading the audience?

Julie Taymor is slated to direct the Spiderman Broadway show, and as far as the score goes, it is said that Bono and the Edge of U2 fame will collaborate, so there is some hope that the Spiderman Broadway musical will lean toward the more serious side of things rather than campy shenanigans.

If the Spiderman Broadway musical is to be a success, it must appeal to a broad audience, capturing the interest of those who frequent Broadway shows, as well as comic book and Spiderman fans. In fact, the forecasted success of a Spiderman Broadway musical might usher in a whole new type of show and audience, changing Broadway as we know it. Comic book fans may come to appreciate what many consider high-brow art, and Broadway enthusiasts may find themselves frequenting the local comic book shop for new issues of Spiderman and other super-hero favorites.

Currently, fans of Spiderman are torn between interest and disgust. Many feel that a singing, dancing Spiderman is an outrage, while others are curious to see what elements of the story-line will make it into the musical, and how Peter Parker will fare when singing tunes penned by U2.

One cannot help but wonder, with so many comic book stories and super-heros being translated into big screen blockbuster movies, if the Spiderman Broadway musical is a success, will more comic book-based musicals also follow? Will audiences be enraptured with Wolverine's beautiful rendition of "If I can claw you up here, I can claw you up anywhere, New York New York!" Will the public swoon for Batman and Robin alternating between utility belt action and jazz hands choreography? Will Superman regale Lois Lane and Lex Luthor in alto or soprano? I suppose it all depends on how tight his costume is.