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Arts & Entertainment

Injured Spider-Man Actor Returns To See Show


By

Jen Chung

Published Jan 8, 2011

Modified Jan 9, 2011


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Christopher Tierney talks to reporters

 

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By

Jen Chung

Published Jan 8, 2011

Modified Jan 9, 2011


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Earlier this week, the actor who fell 30 feet during a performance of Spider-Man: There Will Be Blood Turn Off The Dark last month was released from rehab. And, last night, Christopher Tierney headed back to the $65 million musical—but as a spectator. Tierney told the AP, "It's what I've been waiting for for the past two weeks — to see my friends and finally watch the show." And, as you can see on this video, he was amazed to see the set he fell from:

During the December 20, 2010 performance, Tierney, who is one of many performers who play Spider-Man (a physically demanding role that involves flying around the theater in harness), was not properly connected to his harness and fell into the orchestra pit. He suffered fractured skull, a fractured shoulder blade, four broken ribs and three broken vertebrae—he's also the fourth performer to be injured— but Tierney has now emerged as perhaps the show's greatest champion. He told Arts Beat earlier this week (after an appearance on "Good Morning America"), "I’ve been in shows with people whose legs pop out of their hips. An ex-girlfriend of mine has four concussions. People tearing their A.C.L. And for a show that’s this technically complex, four injured performers is just not strange."

But what's strange, at least to Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, is that some ticket buyers don't realize the show is still in previews.

Tagged

broadway

christopher tierney

injuries

musical

spider-man

spider man turn off the dark


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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