Spider-Man The Musical: Turning Broadway Upside Down
With the economys detrimental pull in most industries today, Broadway ticket sales are definitely getting hit hard. In the next six weeks BWay will be stripped of 15 shows ranging from Mel Brooks, Young Frankenstein to Equus staring the ever-so-popular Daniel Radcliffe. Yet, despite Brooks comic genus and Radcliffes endless success from the Harry Potter films, a lucrative solution has not been found for theater business.
Now with these tough times upon us who better to theorize a solution than the man whose success and ideas are endless, that man being Bono. The U2 singer has written and invested in a Broadway production about the amazing
Spider-Man. This isnt a typical theatrical production by any means; with a budget of (EU)25 million, this is by far the largest most expensive show ever to hit the New York streets. Along with its price tag comes the vast risk of the Broadway slump pulling Spider-Man down too. But, with an economic rebound in the process, some believe that this show will be in perfect time to turn Broadway upside down and with this show being part punk rock/part opera, a hit may very well be in the midst.
I am not sure if this is art or pandering. Spiderman the musical? Well, they made Shrek, Grease, The Lion King (which is supposed to be awesome!), and a ton of other hit movies into musicals, hey, why not Spiderman. Get Toby McGuire to sign up and you’re sure to get a hit.
I wonder what the attendance at some of these movies into musicals is. Is there even a market for this genre or are producers building them with their fingers crossed? Cirque de’ Sole created a breakthrough with combining circus with art — maybe this movie-into-musical effort will create new audiences and revive a lagging industry.
– David Kinard, PCM
Oh there is a big market for this sort of show.. There are so many kids that love Spiderman which is evidenced by the Spider Wear and Spider Toys I see day in day out! With Bono at the helm it will be a spectacle.. Goodbye Young Frankenstein.. hello Spiderman! Next up Batman and then Catwoman.