Spider-Man musical cast to include Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood
Last Updated: Monday, June 29, 2009 | 11:08 AM ET
CBC News
Actor Alan Cumming, above, and Evan Rachel Wood have been confirmed for the cast of the musical Spider-Man, Turn off the Dark. (Eric Thayer/Fred Prouser/Reuters)Producers for Broadway's upcoming Spider-Man musical have their Green Goblin as well as their Mary Jane, but have yet to announce the actor who will portray the comic book webslinger.
Producers announced late last week that Scottish actor Alan Cumming has joined the cast of Spider-Man, Turn off the Dark as industrial magnate Norman Osborne, who becomes the villain Green Goblin.
American actress Evan Rachel Wood has previously revealed she will portray Mary Jane Watson, the comic book hero's love interest, which producers of the Broadway production confirmed on Friday as well.
Theatre and film director Julie Taymor, whose credits include Disney's Lion King musical adaptation and the Beatles music-inspired film Across the Universe, praised both actors.
She hailed Wood, who co-starred in Across the Universe, as "a young actress with incredible depth for both serious and comic drama."
Cumming has appeared in two of Taymor's Shakespearean film adaptations, Titus (2000) and the forthcoming version of The Tempest.
"He has such range and such charisma as a performer," she said.
Casting of the wisecracking Peter Parker/Spider-Man remains unknown, but is expected to be announced soon.
The musical will also be debuting a bit later than originally planned. Though previously slated to premiere on Feb. 18, 2010, at the Hilton Theatre, the musical will now begin previews on Feb. 25. A new opening date has yet to be announced.
In the works for about two years, the big budget musical Spider-Man, Turn off the Dark will feature a score by U2's Bono and The Edge. It will tell the story of the superhero's origin and include new material.
With files from The Associated Press
