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[UPDATE] Tonight's Spider-Man Canceled, Actor Needs Back Surgery, Assemblyman Wants Hearing
By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 22, 2010
Modified Dec 22, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Dec 22, 2010
Modified Dec 22, 2010
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[UPDATE BELOW] Although the producers of the epic $65 million Spider-Man musical insisted that tonight's performance would proceed as planned, the Foxwoods Theater box office tells us it's been canceled. (Earlier today a reporter asked director Julie Taymor if the Labor Department had given the show a green light after Monday night's accident, she replied, "I think so.") The Foxwoods Theater had no comment about whether tomorrow night's show would still go on, but safety inspectors from OSHA and the Labor Department have been at the theater for the past two days. According to Arts Beat, there was a "heated" meeting today between Taymor and the actors, during which several cast members questioned the production's safety.
The brother of the actor hurt on Monday night, Christopher W. Tierney, tells the AP, "He's a dancer. He landed on his feet. If he didn't land on his feet, he wouldn't be with us. He has a strong body and an amazing attitude." Tierney's brother also tells the Post that he underwent back surgery today, and adds, "I don't know when he'll be back on stage if at all." And an increasing number of Broadway actors are speaking out about what they see as the production's lack of safety. "Perhaps they should have thought twice about what some of these stunts were," Marc Kudisch, whose most recent Broadway credit was in the musical 9 to 5, tells the AP. "It's not like doing a stunt in a movie." Which reminds us—why the hell is this even being adapted for the stage anyway?!
Oh, who cares, the accidents are good for business! Richie Wood, a 33-year-old administrative assistant who tried to buy a ticket today, says, "I don't want to see people get hurt but it piques my interest. I like train wrecks. I would actually love to go in and have them have to close the show." They definitely taste blood in the water!
Update: Artsbeat reports that Assemblyman Rory I. Lancman, a Democrat of Queens and the chairman of the New York State Assembly’s subcommittee on workplace safety, wrote a letter to the show's lead producer urging them not to perform the show for now. "We are contemplating a hearing to explore these issues," Lancman wrote, "and would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss safety on the ‘Spider-Man’ production as soon as possible. In the meantime we urge you not to proceed with any further performances." Arts Beat also has details on the new safety plan that's been implemented.
Tagged
broadway
julie taymor
spider man musical
spider man turn off the dark
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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