Dr. Blackwell's BLOG

The high-flying spectacular Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark is closing. The $75 million production, which began previews at the Foxwoods Theater over three years ago, will perform its last show in January. An exact date is yet to be set. Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark is a fantastic and fun musical featuring music and lyrics by U2’s Bono and The Edge. Unfortunately, the show was plagued by technical mishaps and some truly horrific accidents involving its actors and stuntmen. The show rebounded and was a major hit for most of its run, earning at its peak a record-breaking $3 million weekly take! Unfortunately, its woes caught up; and when actor Daniel Curry had his leg penned under an elevation platform (at a performance I was present at) back in August, the show’s grosses took a major tumble. The show was averaging a weekly take of $750,000-$850,000 over the past several months. And with an operating cost of $1 million per week, it was only a matter of time before the news of the closing would be forthcoming. Curry has had multiple surgeries and unfortunately underwent amputations to his injured foot. But rather than being remembered for the bad news, Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark should be remembered for its incredible accomplishments and contributions to musical theater. The show broke ground in set and costume design; and Julie Taymor’s original direction continued to shine through multiple aspects of the show. And the special effects, that proved to be quite breathtaking, were unlike anything ever seen on the stage. The score in the show is truly fantastic and is one to be cherished by just about any rock music fan. Producers have announced that the show will move to Las Vegas, where it will mount its next staging. Details of that show will be forthcoming.

BLOGBOARD Entry by Guest Contributor: Elva Fisher
Saw Big Fish tonight. After the reviews & the recent, surprising news it’s closing 12/29, was expecting a mixed bag & some hefty disappointment. To my surprise & pleasure, much of it was beautiful, wonderful and even astonishing. Of course some was thin, wan & more than a bit static, but my pretty strong reaction is to ask why they’re closing. The reviews have strongly criticized the music, but I found most of it more than acceptable. Not unexpected, Susan Strohman has directed and choreographed an exceptional show. Much of the production is breathtakingly beautiful, lush and astonishing. The large orchestra adds its own strength & color. Andrew Lippa’s music & lyrics aren’t as objectionable as reviewers said. Many of the concepts & scenes are worderful. They and Norbert Butz’s exceptional performance lift this show well above all expectations. Butz is in a class by himself — one of the best actors, dancers and phenomenally wonderful at creating characters. Everything I’ve seen him in — Thou Shalt Not, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Catch Me if you Can & Wicked have all been incredibly wonderful portrayals of remarkable characters. He’s one of a very few actors to win 2 Tonys for Best Actor, as well as a slew of other awards — remarkable talent. Kate Baldwin plays his wife — luminously beautiful, good dancer, fine singer & actor. Bobby Steggert shot to fame & fortune w/ his Tony in Ragtime. I’ve never thought he was as good as many & tonight he did a good performance, but for me, often missed the mark a bit. His wife, Krystal Joy Brown did well, but I wondered why a black woman was chosen for the part. There are 3 young boys that trade off the part of Butz’s son as a child, a necessary part, but nothing very special. Zachary Unger tonight — his diction was poor & he needs to support better. Tonight included a little Pippin, a little Into the Woods & a little Music Man/Oklahoma & Barnum. Having seen a great many productions that have far less to offer than this one, I am at quite a loss to understand why it’s closing. The house was full and the audience frequently & loudly showed enormous approval throughout the performance. Strohman’s huge production numbers & special effects are fabulous & Butz is incredibly wonderful. Those 2 alone make this an amazingly special show. Check out highlights from BIG FISH: The Musical below: