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Spider-Man Adds A Fourth Accident To His Utility Belt
By
Garth Johnston
Published Dec 21, 2010
Modified Dec 21, 2010
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Dec 21, 2010
Modified Dec 21, 2010
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[UPDATE BELOW] The already troubled Broadway production of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark took another hit last night when an actor took a fall off stage during the second act ranging between eight and thirty feet, depending on who you ask. It appears the actor was one of the two playing the titular character, but it might also have been one of his stunt doubles. As of last night the tight-lipped production was only saying of the actor that "All signs were good as he was taken to the hospital for observation." So what happened? We'll turn to Twitter:
Brian Lynch's feed seems to sum up the action most succinctly:
- Spider-Man on Broadway. Stopped short near end. Someone took nasty fall. Screaming. 911 called. No idea what happened, kicked audience out.
- No joke. No explanation. MJ and Spidey took what seemed to be a planned fall into the stage pit. Then we heard MJ screaming.
- Crew rushed out. Someone called for 911. Ended the show early with no explanation. Ambulances came immediately.
BroadwayWorld.com is reporting that the actor was the websligner himself and that
this was NOT a flying sequence and that Spider-Man was NOT supposed to drop at all. He was supposed to run to top of the ramp as if to jump with the lights then set to go to black. The cable that snapped is what stops him from going over the edge, and that is what failed.
For what it is worth the show, normally dark on Monday nights, is scheduled to be off today with two performances on tap for Wednesday. As of early this morning, neither production of the show—whose opening was recently delayed until until February 7—was canceled.
This is the fourth time that the Julie Taymor/Bono/Edge production, the most expensive musical in history, has had a brush with danger. Previously the female lead who plays new villainess Arachne suffered a concussion after being hit by a rope and two actors have broken bones performing stunts. Wonder how long until they postpone the opening until March?
UPDATE: The Post is reporting that the actor is Spider-man's stunt double Christopher Tierney and that he is in stable condition at Bellevue. Also, a Times reader sent in iPhone footage of the accident—since when did it become ok to use a recording device at a Broadway show?
Tagged
accidents
bono
broadway
julie taymor
spider man musical
spider man turn off the dark
the edge
Garth Johnston
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