‘Spider-Man’ cancels another preview performance
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The producers of ‘Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark’ have canceled another performance in the wake of an accident that left one of the musical’s most important stunt performers hospitalized in serious condition.
After canceling Wednesday’s matinee performance after the Monday night accident that injured Christopher Tierney, ‘Spider-Man’s’ producers said they also would cancel Wednesday’s evening show.
The musical’s public relations department issued a statement saying that the show’s creative team met with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the New York State Department of Labor. They “have agreed on the implementation of additional protocols which will be rehearsed today and this evening,” the statement said. ‘As such, tonight’s performance ... has been cancelled. Performances will resume tomorrow evening [Thursday].’
The injured actor’s brother, Patrick, told the New Hampshire newspaper website Seacoastonline.com that Christopher was scheduled to have back surgery on Wednesday. ‘I don’t know when he’ll be back on stage if at all,’ he told the newspaper.
Directed by Julie Taymor and featuring music from U2’s Bono and the Edge, ‘Spider-Man’ has been beset by an array of financial and safety problems. Tierney was the fourth performer injured during rehearsals and previews for the show, which features several dozen aerial scenes, some including actors flying above the audience.
The show’s official opening has been delayed several times, and most recently was pushed back from January to early February. Despite (or perhaps because of) the accidents, ticket sales have been strong, and Wednesday night’s show was sold out.
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-- John Horn
Above: The Wednesday evening performance of ‘Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark’ has since been cancelled. Credit: Seth Wenig/ Associated Press
