A Revolution in Modern Theater "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark"

Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Introduction
With the longest preview performances in history, "Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark" finally started playing in June 2011. With Bono and The Edge associated with the show's musical, and several high-tech stunts being performed in both acts, the web slinging crime fighter took the stage by storm.
Similar to the superhero story of Spiderman, where he faces one adversity after another and overcomes them, the show faced criticism in its early showings. However, after a few adjustments, the show gained massive popularity and is set to revolutionize Broadway musicals.
The Story
Although Spiderman's story needs no introduction, we would quickly go through it just for the sake of the very few who may be new to the world of superheroes. Peter Parker is a regular teenage kid, who is orphaned at a young age and gets super powers after being bitten by a radioactive spider. Mary Jane is Peter's next door neighbor, classmate and love interest.
The early years of Spiderman are arguably the most interesting. He gains superpowers, loses his uncle, learns that with great power comes great responsibility and tries to balance his two lives. No superhero story is complete without a super-villain, and that's where the Green Goblin comes in. The fight against the Green Goblin is one of the most important fights in Spiderman's life. It can be said that this fight defines Spiderman and what he stands for.

Production
As mentioned earlier, Bono and The Edge are associated with this show making it a unique rock musical. Philip William McKinley has joined the show after Julie Taymor left the team. Cast members include Reeve Carney, Matthew James Thomas, Jennifer Damiano, and Patrick Page.
The stunts during the show are based on some of the most advanced and expensive techniques being used on stage. As a result, when the initial showings did not do so well, the story was rewritten and several changes were made to the cast, crew and music.
The effort was worth it as the final show is a spectacle to marvel at, with in flight fighting scenes and actors hanging from spider webs. The music and visuals of the show have received unanimous critical acclaim, however the story remains a matter of debate.
The Julie Taymor version of the story incorporated the Myth of Arachne in the early years of Spiderman. The revised version is a little different and answers the questions raised during the first act. However, some of the critics are not happy with the story, calling it childish, while others have called it a revolution in musicals. The show has garnered both proponents and critics, as is the case when something new is tried in and a change is introduced in an age old system.
Tickets
The show is being played in major arenas and theatres. Given time, the crew plans to visit several major arenas of the world. Spiderman fans are looking for Broadway Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark tickets but they are not the only ones. The show has attracted superhero fans as well as regular theatergoers who are looking for a refreshing change. After a long time, two different kinds of crowds have gathered to watch a single show.

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