Spideyflop on Broadway

Let me cut to the chase...if this play, Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark  is not on your 1001 places to see before you die list, don’t waste your money. 

In my teen years, I was a avid comic book collector – Spiderman being one of them.  So I was familiar with most of the villains, the storyline and the characters.  However, Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark attempts to take decades worth of story and jam them into a scrappy incohesive three hour show. 


Bono (no, not Sonny Bono...I'm talking about the guy from U2) attempts to “Rock Out” this Broadway fiasco.  Two guitar players, one looking like Jeff Spicolli from "Fast Times..." and another, a Keith Richards look a like, stand and play stage left throughout.   I couldn't figure out how they fit into the story - and I don't think they did either. They looked bored stiff.


It doesn't look quite like this

 However, there was one character who saved the day -it was the villain Green Goblin who's part in the play garnished the most laughs.

Ironically, I thought after the first Act, the play was over, wondering “why didn’t they do a curtain call.” However, I would be disappointed to find that I had to sit through another hour and a half of storyline.

It’s most unfortunate though.  An assembly of very good actors, an amazing set, great stunts and flying characters but all was ruined by a story that didn’t connect with the audience.  Did Bono actually see the play? 


But if you are one of many curious, who want to go with the hopes that Spidey falls from the balcony again.…

P.S. - Sunday, Bloody Sunday...I heard today that Bono threw the writer Julie Taymor of the Lion King fame "under the bus" and the story is heading for a re-write and new previews mid-May. 

Just a last note - why would a beautiful theater like this one not stock enough paper towels in the bathrooms?  With so many staff people floating around, you would think someone would periodically go in to check the stock...some things I'll never understand...

Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark

Foxwood's Theatre

213 West 42nd Street

NYC

Ratings
The Experience 1 out of 5
Bathroom 3 flushes out of 5
Money - 3 out of 4 dollars
Value 1 out of 5