"Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark" Delayed Again as Julie Taymor Leaves

"Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark" is already a famous name even though the show is still in previews. This mega Broadway production has been fraught with trouble since the idea for it first took shape a decade ago. The most recent opening night was slated for this week, but has been postponed again as difficulties continue.

The latest debacles surrounding the show include its being cited for three violations of safety regulations. And it just mounts from there.

Director Julie Taymor has recently left the show. The spokesman for "Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark" has been unclear as to whether she quit or was fired. The supposition leans toward fired, because days before the decision was made official Taymor expressed a desire to work out the bugs, so to speak. Rumors abound as to the reason. Some say the producers were concerned about the money that has gone into it, the almost universally bad reviews, and the mounting pressure to get something out there. Others say that it came almost immediately after she revealed the bizarre visual aesthetic of the show. Some say Taymor's leaving is due to a rift with U2's Bono when Taymor wanted to bring in someone else to "tune up the music". Bono has declined to comment. Although it is general knowledge that both he and The Edge are the reason she was iinvolved in the first place- they brought her on by insisting that she direct it as part of their original contracts.

In any case, Taymor's exit has created an atmosphere of uncertainty around the show. It also sparked a parody of Taymor on "Saturday Night Live". Opening night may now be delayed until June to provide time for the producers to find a new director and for significant changes to be made to the show. Further preview performances have been cancelled for now. There are fears that more cast members may quit now that the decision is official. Bono and The Edge gave the cast members a pep talk on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 to reassure them that the show will go on.

Patrick Page, who plays the Green Goblin, told the Associated Press, "Bono is a very inspirational figure - to people all over the world. So is The Edge. They very much believe in the show. They just don't want to finish until they are completely satisfied with the product - just like with an album. They don't want to freeze the show until it's something they'd want to see again and again."

Some are claiming that all the bad press around the show may actually prove positive for it in the end. Many are likely to see it out of curiosity more than because they are fans of Spidey or U2 or even Broadway. It is interesting to note that even with all the bad reviews and trouble, "Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark" has been one of Broadway's top grossing shows ever, earning over 1.2 million dollars in one week alone, and this through preview performances. That little fact offers a spectacular promise regarding future earnings when it finally goes into an official run.

Resources:

Bono and The Edge Rally "Spiderman" Cast, March 11, 2011, MSN.com (with video from the "Today" show).

Joe Dziemianowicz, Simone Weichselbaum, and Corky Siemaszko, "Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark" Director Julie Taymor Lost Bono's Support Leading To Exit: Sources, March 9, 2011, NYDailyNews.com.

Joe Dziemianowicz, Simone Weichselbaum, and Corky Siemaszko, "Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark" Goes On Despite Reports of Julie Taymor's Exit from Broadway Show, March 9, 2011, NYDailyNews.com.

Soraya Roberts, "Spiderman" Musical Director Julie Taymor Mocked by "Saturday Night Live" Over "Firing", March 14, 2011, NYDailyNews.com.

Ben Kendrick, "Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark" Producers Forcing July Taymor Out? [Updated], March 8, 2011, ScreenRant.com.