Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Injured Spider-Man Actor Returns To See Show
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 8, 2011
Modified Jan 9, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gothamist
View all 4
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 8, 2011
Modified Jan 9, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
Before they attempt to fend off LeBron James and the 76ers on Tuesday, the Knicks will have a chance to show off their winning mentality through their tunnel fits.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 19, 2026
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .