U2’s comic book musical ‘Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark’ has broken box office records on Broadway.
Announced amid widespread derision, the controversy over U2’s Spiderman musical has raged for some time. Opening earlier this year, ‘Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark’ has endured countless difficulties.
Yet it seems that Bono and The Edge could well have the last laugh. According to figures from The Broadway League, the musical rakes in more than $2.9 million from nine performances last week – the highest single week takings in Broadway history. (via BBC)
Quick to respond, The Edge said it was a “proud day” for everyone involved with the mammoth production.
Costing some $48 million to make, ‘Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark’ is the most expensive Broadway production of all time. Probed about the enormous success of their first week, Bono replied that “there was magic on the stage”.
“For all the problems, there was magic on the stage,” Bono said. “Things did get chaotic and messy after our producer Tony Adams died. But this week’s news has us all giddy again and we are raising our glasses to Tony, to our indefatigable cast, crew, creative – and production team.”
According to figures collated by the team behind ‘Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark’ half of all those who attended last week’s performances had never been to a Broadway performance before.
However it’s not all good news for U2. Axed director Julie Taymor is continuing legal action against the production, following her dismissal last year.
Speaking to Esquire, Taymor said: “There’s no doubt by the end of February, when I felt all of this stuff happening, that I was exhausted by that, but not by the show and not by the inspiration I was getting from the actors.”
Continuing, Taymor accused the musical’s benefactors of being absent from the majority of the production. “What was exhausting was the fact that the producers were absent… Those people weren’t there, so how does Bono know? I’m sorry.”
Julie Taymor is currently suing ‘Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark’ for $1 million in damages.
