Producers of the $65 million production are also planning a "significant overhaul" of the Julie Taymor musical, which began previews in November 2010. The changes will require the show to close for a two-to-three week period in order to allow the cast a chance to rest and to rehearse the new material. The New York paper says the shutdown will likely occur in April and early May.
Who will oversee the changes to the new musical remains unanswered. The New York Times reported March 7 that producers are in talks with Tony Award winner Taymor to work with an expanded creative team or to possibly have Taymor make her exit from the troubled production.
The Times says that producers have reached out to at least two directors to help with the production, Christopher Ashley (Memphis) and Philip William McKinley (The Boy From Oz).
Rick Miramontez, a spokesperson for the musical, told the Times March 8, "Opening night remains scheduled for March 15." However, with opening night only seven days away, the press has yet to be invited to a press performance or be notified of any opening-night coverage. The musical is now the record holder for the longest preview period of any Broadway production.
In a previous statement, producer Michael Cohl announced that the third delay (to March 15) would be the final postponement in the production schedule, and would allow Taymor time to fine-tune the work and create a new ending. Cohl's assurance was not enough to keep away New York theatre critics, who published their reviews of the production Feb. 7, in accordance with a previously announced opening night. Spider-Man was not well received among the press, but has consistently been a strong seller at the box office, grossing over $1 million weekly.
Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark features a book by Taymor and Glen Berger, and new music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge. The musical had originally been announced to arrive during the 2009 season, but was postponed due to financing.
Producers also include Jeremiah J. Harris, Steve Lillywhite, Hello Entertainment/David Garfinkle, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Land Line Productions, by association with Marvel Entertainment.
The cast features Reeve Carney as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Next to Normal Tony nominee Jennifer Damiano as Mary Jane Watson , T.V. Carpio as Arachne and Broadway veteran Patrick Page as Norman Osborn/The Green Goblin.
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