The road leading up to a Broadway run for the U2-scored “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” has been paved with uncertainty. But the long-delayed production now appears to be taking a step forward with the start of rehearsals in New York City.
Full-cast rehearsals with director Julie Taymor are slated to begin August 16, as The New York Times reported earlier this week. But choreography rehearsals are already underway for some cast and crew, including actor-musician Reeve Carney, who will play action hero Spider-Man and his alter ego Peter Parker.
An enthusiastic Carney disclosed his involvement in rehearsals via Twitter at the start of the week. “It’s finally happening!!” he exclaimed in one tweet, adding later, “I honestly can’t believe I’m getting paid to do things my mom would have killed me for when I was a kid!”
An updated performance schedule and new ticketing details are still forthcoming on the musical’s official Web site. However, the Times reported that preview performances are expected to begin at the Hilton Theatre in November.
The late-year curtain-raising comes well after the originally planned February 25 start of previews was called off indefinitely at the start of the year. That delay ultimately led to the withdrawal of two actors connected with the production.
Acclaimed thespian Alan Cumming was initially cast as the Green Goblin, while Hollywood starlet Evan Rachel Wood was set to play Mary Jane Watson. However, both actors backed out of their commitments due to scheduling conflicts related to financially rooted production delays. Wood departed in early March and Cumming bowed out in mid-April.
Replacement cast members have not been announced. However, industry publication Playbill reported that Jennifer Damiano (“Next to Normal”) and Patrick Page (“Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”) have both been named as contenders for the open roles.
