Spider-Man to spin on Broadway to music by U2
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 | 11:09 AM ET
CBC News
Julie Taymor, shown in June 2008 in New York, is to direct Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark on Broadway. (Peter Kramer/Associated Press)Spider-Man, already featured in several hit movies, has a date with Broadway.
A musical based on the Marvel comic-book character will open in February 2010, featuring a score by U2's Bono and The Edge.
Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark will spin the story of the superhero's origins, as written by Julie Taymor and Glen Berger.
"The musical follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down — literally — when he's bitten by a genetically altered spider and wakes up the next morning clinging to his bedroom ceiling," producers said in an announcement Tuesday.
"This bullied science-geek — suddenly endowed with astonishing powers — soon learns, however, that with great power comes great responsibility as villains test not only his physical strength but also his strength of character."
Taymor, the creative force behind the long-running musical The Lion King and director of the film Across the Universe, will also helm the Broadway production. Berger is an American playwright.
No casting was announced by producers Tuesday, but Evan Rachel Wood has mentioned publicly that she has been cast as Mary Jane, Peter Parker's love interest.
The big-budget show also has engaged set designer George Tsypin, who did the sets for Broadway's The Little Mermaid, Academy Award-winning costume designer Eiko Ishioka, choreographer Daniel Ezralow and musical supervisor Teese Gohl, both of whom worked with Taymor in Across the Universe, and sound designer Jonathan Deans, who has worked for Cirque du Soleil.
Preview performances are set to begin Jan. 16 at the Hilton Theatre, with opening night Feb. 18, 2010.
With files from the Associated Press
