Thursday, December 23, 2010

'Spider-Man' Musical Director Speaks Out On Injuries

'An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team,' Julie Taymor says in statement.
By Terri Schwartz


Julie Taymor
Photo: Jeff Kravitz/ WireImage

There's been a lot of negative press about Julie Taymor's Broadway musical "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark," after a fourth castmember, aerialist and stunt double Christopher Tierney, was injured during a preview performance on Monday. A spokesperson for the show made a statement on Tuesday and the Actors' Equity Association spoke to MTV News about the show's streak of injuries. And now Taymor has commented about the show's continued bad luck.

"An accident like this is obviously heartbreaking for our entire team and, of course, to me personally," Taymor said in her statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "I am so thankful that Chris is going to be alright and is in great spirits. Nothing is more important than the safety of our 'Spider-Man' family and we'll continue to do everything in our power to protect the cast and crew."

Tierney's injury spurred the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Actors' Equity Association and New York State Department of Labor to meet with the "Spider-man" company on Tuesday and institute additional safety measures to prevent further injuries. But some other Broadway stars took to their social networking accounts to demand Taymor stop production on the $65 million musical.

"SPIDERMAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND EMBARRASSING TO WORKING ACTORS EVERYWHERE," Tony Award-winning actress Alice Ripley tweeted on Tuesday. "DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE? WHERE IS THE LINE FOR THE DECISION MAKERS, I AM CURIOUS."

"Rent" star Adam Pascal took to his Facebook page Tuesday and said, "I have to weigh in on Spiderman. They should put Julie Taymor in jail for assault! I know what it's like to fall and get hurt in front of 2,000 people. It's no fun, but at least it was the one time it happened. I hope whoever was hurt is ok and sues the sh-- out of Julie, Bono, Edge and every other a--hole who invested in that steaming pile of actor crippling sh--!"

Pascal toned down his anger and clarified his comments on Wednesday (December 22): "I think some of you missed the intended humor in my post, although my anger is real, I don't think anyone should sue Bono and the Edge you dummy! Or put Julie Taymor in jail you double dummy. I was making a point."

As of now, "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark" preview performances are proceeding as planned, and the official Broadway opening date has been pushed back from January 11 to February 7. Wednesday's matinee was the only performance canceled due to Tierney's injury.

Do you think "Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark" should be canceled due to the danger involved? Tell us in the comments.

Arielle Kebbel Katharine Towne Garcelle Beauvais Salma Hayek Ali Larter

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