One of the most expensive productions in Broadway history is also becoming one of the most outlandish legends. For the umpteenth time, the opening of the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark written by U2’s Bono and The Edge is delayed, this time until February 2011.
And yet, on paper, everything was in place to make this musical a huge success. Take one of America’s most popular superheroes, add music from the most popular band on the planet, and launch it on Broadway in New York, the largest avenue for musicals.
The first scheduled opening to the general public next January 11 was postponed because it was decided to completely rewrite the grand finale, according to the New York Times. More recently, two actors were injured during rehearsals just weeks before the premiere.
Neither U2 member has seen the show since it opened in previews on November 28. U2 has been traveling through Australia and New Zealand on a 10-date tour and the band’s schedule is not free until January, when it begins preparation for mid-February shows in South Africa.
"Dreaming up the show, the scale of it, the flying sequence, the pop-art opera that it is — that was all pure joy," Bono told Billboard in November. "What we didn’t realize was how difficult it is to stage this stuff, both technically and financially."
Delays have plagued the show since it was first announced; last year, cashflow issues suspended production. This year, the show has been pushed back four times.