The producers of Broadway’s Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, the most expensive Broadway production in history, are considering a delay of the musical’s opening night for a sixth time, in order to allow for additional improvements to the show. Producers are hopeful the delay will improve the commercial prospects after theater critics blasted the production this month.
The opening, which had been scheduled for March 15, now may be pushed to as late as June.
The management team for the show is mulling over plans for an invitation-only performance at 4:30p.m. on March 15 , with an A-list gala at the Grand Hyatt New York to follow, but a final decision by Producers has yet to be confirmed. A delay in opening could prevent “Spider-Man” from competing in this year’s Tony Awards: shows must open by April 28 to be eligible for a nomination. But with numerous negative reviews from critics, including one by The New York Times Ben Brantley stating “Spider-Man” may “rank among the worst” musicals in Broadway history,” a delay may be in order.
With a price tag topping out at $65 million, and costing $1 million a week to run, “Spider-Man” has been plagued by injuries (4) and financial troubles. Sunday’s matinee will be the 90th preview performance, which will be a record for a Broadway musical.
