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Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark Musical Reviews
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| 31 |
So much promise, such shockingly bad story telling Review by: CharlotteCat, Jan 31, 2011 |
| I kind of thought I would like this show; I was guessing it would be like a summer movie blockbuster, easy for snooty critics to pan but lots of fun nonetheless. I was wrong, and completely agree with the negative reaction. I'm just repeating what many have said, but I'll emphasize the point again: The plot of this show is shockingly, enormously, unbelievably idiotic. It's amazing to me that a show with a great, comic book premise, ... read more enormous funding, great talent, and extremely complex and technical staging and aerobatics, could fail so spectacularly at the most fundamental level of all: telling a story. I simply couldn't list all of the failures and stupid ideas: The disruptive teenage narrators, unnecessary Arachne story line, dull Mary Jane character, lack of climax or ending (and yes, we did see the "new" ending), and clunky dialogue are just a few. I do understand why lots of people will want and need to go, just to see what all the fuss is about and enjoy the special effects. I just think a lot of people who go away like I did, feeling like this could and should have been much, much more. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Tourists
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| 32 |
Desperately needs a better storyline Review by: JJ, Jan 30, 2011 |
| In the end, a mishmash. If you want acrobatics, I would suggest going to the circus. It's clear, those involved in this production are keeping their mouths shut in hopes of keeping their jobs cuz' the story line is lame...but hey it worked for Wicked. (sadly). Has this show changed since we saw it? I doubt it. It is astonishing to me how much money has been literally dumped into this black hole of a production. Producers got in line to ... read more pour money into it while other 'deserving' projects are ignored because there's little or no hype. Hype is what this show is about, we're sorry to say. They're trying but it's an impossible feat at this stage of the game. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 33 |
This show sets the bar REAL high for future technical shows! Review by: Iris, Jan 24, 2011 |
Great Show!
Fan of the comics or cartoons? SEE IT!
Music and set and stunts are wonderful! Highly recommend this show. It is Both Beauty & Art! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 34 |
Underwhelming. 65 million on sets, 10 cents on story. Review by: Rob from TORONTO, Jan 23, 2011 |
Saw Spider-Man with the new ending on Jan 21, 2011. It reminded me of seeing Lord of the Rings (the musical) in London and Toronto. The show was technically impressive, but that was all there is. Nice video screens, nice aerial stunts and numbers, but ACT 1 was so weak.. and so boring. There was a beautiful song in the show, the rest of the pieces were pretty forgettable.
It just was interesting to see, but not a great musical, or show. I ... read more left thinking.. wow that was technical, but meh.. unfulfilling. If you like a spectacle, go see it, but as a cohesive show, it needs a lot of work. It's a bit dull at times, and cheesy. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Tourists, Anyone
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| 35 |
Review by: Heimdal, Jan 23, 2011 |
My god this show was amazing and it will only get better!
The aerial are PHENOMENAL. The set is out of this world. The music is absolutely incredible.
I saw this with the Mrs. And we both loved it. I'm a huge fan of Spider-Man, her not as much. We both absolutely loved it.
New villainess arachne has incredible songs and vocals and the show is just great. The ending fight comes out of nowhere, but this is apparently being changed.... read more.
If you want to see a good show that is serious, but also has some good humour, it is highly recommended.
The stunts in this show are like nothing you have ever seen on Broadway.
My only complaints as of now are some lyrics in songs were hard to hear, a certain car accident and death wasn't timed perfectly, and a strange blow up doll was a bit too goofy.
I was smiling almost all the time! The Green Goblin is incredible. Sadistic, funny, great stunts, great everything.
You will not be disappointed if you see this show. It is beautiful. The directors are geniuses.
GO SEE THIS SHOW! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, The Entire Family, Business Assoc.
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| 36 |
The result is greater than the sum of its parts! Don't fight, just enjoy. Review by: LDee, Jan 10, 2011 |
The plot is nothing special, the acting is ok, the music is not great, the aerial acts are like a circus, but, yet somehow, you add it all to together and you get magic on Broadway. Don't fight with it, just enjoy it. I predict the reviews will be poor but the audience will love it. On Jan 9 at the preview we saw, it was sold out and the excitement was everywhere.
No matter what, there is nothing else like it. I have no come so close to an ... read more actor while sitting in the balcony! (or should I say "flying circle" as its now called. |
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family, Seniors, Tourists
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| 37 |
for 65 million couldn't we get a new Sondheim, ALW ,and a private island instead? Review by: jayball, Jan 9, 2011 |
| Well I expected this to be bad from reading other reviews, I went out of curiosity. It was bad but not in the way I expected. It seemed like no one had thought through the big picture. the story is not well thought out and not very good. I don't have a hatred for this show, but someone at some point should have noticed that there were not enough elements present to make a complete show. I am not talking about quality, there were the highest ... read more of the highs(flying scenery) and the lowest of the lows(acting, music, story. choreography)I don't get it. It just doesn't work. I am sorry for for the actors and everyone who put their hearts and souls in to this. they were let down, my guess is by time and money problems. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 38 |
Wanted to like it but couldn't Review by: Miss Disappointed, Jan 8, 2011 |
| OK, I read/heard all the quips/news about Spidey-man and had my reservations but being a theater junkie had to check it out...I am sad to say this show is a complete disjoined/mess of a show. I wanted everything to be proven wrong but the for the 3 hours I sat there, I was watch checking and couldn't wait for it to end. The opening scenes were like a bad high school play, some of the sets were interesting and visually striking but that ... read more didn't make up for the terrible score (Bono so disappointing)of which I couldn't remember a single tune or the flow of the storyline which didn't quite work. The show had 3 incidents one of which stopped the show for 5 minutes. It was interesting that before the show began, one of the exec producers came out and made an announcement telling the audience of the safety precautions being taken and that OSHA, NY Dept of Labor and Equity were monitoring the show. Best parts are truly the flying scenes but that doesn't make up for $65million or 3 hours of a messy show. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 39 |
flawed, but definitely worth seeing Review by: mike, Jan 6, 2011 |
I am taking a second bite of the apple so to speak, after thinking about the show last night.
Again Taymor and the design team need to be congratulated for a stunning show/production. Toward the end of the 1st act, the battle between the Green Goblin and Spiderman takes place. This is brilliantly conceived. However there is a moment when a small version of Spiderman makes his way down the Chrysler Building to save Mary Jane, I assume. This ... read more little guy kept on spinning on the line as he was slowly moved from the top of the stage to the bottom. Now maybe Spiderman would be spinning like a top as he made his way down the Chrysler Building, but I doubt it. This show has such clever mechanical devices, spiders etc, that something needs to be done about this. At a minimum he needs to be kept in the same position, as he makes his way down the building. If the body could be seen to subtly move that would be even better.
Arachne will either be the shows greatest strength or weakness. For me too much Arachne, even though the show has some wonderful moments for the character, ie
the beginning of the show when the tapestry is being woven, great music, wonderful visuals.
Having said that, this is a love story about Mary Jane and Spiderman and his conflict with loving her and fighting crime. Arachne just confuses the whole arc of this primary story line and it takes away from the story line of their lives. When the uncle is killed, this should be a powerful moment for Spiderman. It get lost in this production. It is almost as if the creators of this musical thought they could improve on the story of Spiderman, but recognized that they needed to keep some of the elements in to appease Spiderman followers. This was not successful. More emotion needs to be brought to the relationship of Mary Jane and Peter Parker. It is difficult to see how this can be accomplished with Arachne taking up so much of the story line.
We'll see what the critics think. For me I do not hold out much hope. I remember seeing
Wicked prior to its opening. This was a wonderful show especially the 1st act, not unlike this current product of Spiderman, and many of the critics slammed it. Why? Who know?
Like this show, it was never meant to be anything other than a little escapism. Not everything has to be Shakespeare and Williams or even Sondheim, for that matter.
Great job overall. For what it is worth they received a standing ovation at the show I saw Wednesday afternoon.
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| 40 |
Definite wow factor Review by: NYC fanatic, Jan 6, 2011 |
| It's become apparent that some people want to see this show fail. The production has had endless free media and internet publicity because of its tumultuous history, including the very unfortunate accidents that have occurred. Hopefully all this has been ironed out. The performance that we recently saw went without a hitch and previews have continued to sellout. Yes, there are script and score fixes that need to happen. Upon ... read more entering the theatre, the feeling of anticipation and excitement is palpable. The physical production....sets, costumes, choreography, lighting, projections, flying stunts are all remarkable and the primary reason to see this show. When the other fixes are put in place this will become an even more exciting experience. I agree with those who have stated the the ending needs to be reworked. Broadway musical audiences want to leave the theatre feeling exhilarated. So much of the show is exhilarating that it makes no sense that the creators haven't thought this out......even if it's an exciting, choreographed curtain call (as in Billy Elliot) with some flying over the audience. |
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must see!
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| 41 |
Review by: mike, Jan 5, 2011 |
My wife and I just returned from seeing "Spiderman" and I wanted to write a review
while the performance was still fresh in my mind.
Where to begin. The production is unlike anything you have ever seen on broadway.
Taymor has gone a fantastic job. It is without question the most inventive show currently on broadway. If you decide to see it, make sure you are not under the overhang in the orchestra. I believe that you would miss some ... read more of the arial flying numbers and they should not be missed. (It was these numbers that got the biggest applause today.) Also try to get your tickets as close to the center as possible. There's lots of video and moving panels and they should be seen as close to the center of the orchestra as possible. Honestly,this is a triumph for Taymor. I am at a complete loss how anyone can give the production less than a 4 or 5.
Having said that I can understand how others could have issues with the acting,
story, and music.
The music was the thing I had the most concern about. My wife and I are opera lovers
and this is music far removed for Verdi or Wagner. I am very pleasantly surprised.
While the music is not hummable, let it get played on the radio for a while
and you will be humming the songs. I remember seeing "Dreamgirls" when it first
opened in the late 70's early '80's and I remember telling my wife there is not a decent
tune in the whole show. How wrong I was. Not only are the songs good they create the
necessary moods required as the show progresses. I will buy the cd.
Acting what can you say. I loved the Green Goblin who has a wonderful number. The whole scene at the Chrysler Building when he was playing the piano was absolutely wonderful. But there were many times when the emotions of the moment were glossed over.
Biggest problems for me. Arachne having such a prominent role and not having a
really big ending. spiderman should have done one last flight around the theater.
Overall, this show should not be missed.
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My recommendation:
Make an effort to see
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Tourists, Anyone
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| 42 |
Great for kids Review by: Mike, Jan 3, 2011 |
| The sets were very nice. The production was nice. The acting was pretty darn good.The songs were pretty good. The aerials were fine. The story was clumsy and if you dont have a serious working knowledge of Spider-Man, you will be lost. But all said, my 5 year old and wife thought it was fabulous. It was entertaining but not a hit.I really cant get overly excited one way or another. |
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My recommendation:
Go see if you get a chance
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| Acting: |
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family
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| 43 |
Attended the 12/27 show - They have a lot of work to do before this opens. Review by: CBinCT, Jan 3, 2011 |
| I paid full price(8 people) for a date after the12/21 published opening. They pushed back the opening date but not the price so I believe to comment on the preview is fair. The 4 kids are annoying. The guitar players on the side serve no purpose and just seem out of place. The music is forgettable. I hope they don't play any of this stuff at the meadowlands when I see U2 this summer. Lead actor'ss voice died during "boy fell". There was one ... read more scene with ribbons flowing down and weaving that my wife liked. I asked if she knew what they were singing about or what was happening - "eh, no". They do a military number which I would think would have steps in sync but not even close. The second half storyline is horrible. I liked the sets. I could see they haven't worked out the scene where they had the accident. Spiderman was supposed to save Mary Jane. He just looked at her fall and backed up to the back of the platform. I'm not really sure what happened at the end. I will say that everyone working in the theater was really nice. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
The Entire Family
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| 44 |
SO DISAPPOINTED!! Review by: chall28, Jan 3, 2011 |
So Disappointed! We were so excited to take our 8yr. old for Christmas what a let down! Our son is a huge broadway fan and a huge spiderman fan - what could have been better?!?! We bought our tickets when they went on sale with hopes of attending opening night but of course what was suppose to be opening night was only a bad preview that cost a lot of money. We did change our tickets to Jan 2, hoping so kinks would be worked out (wrong). All ... read more the hype of the aerial stunts and cost are completely blown up. cirque du soleil should have been consulted on this horribly scripted aerial lacking bad story line show. I can not even say enough bad things about this show. The potential for so many great things to happen is there but the story is boring and depressing, the music is ok (guitars on stage best part), the leads need a lot of work on stronger voices, the aerial stunts not existent and the ending - what ending ?!!? The 1st act leaves you thinking it is going to get good but the 2nd act is just boring - no aerial stunts, no exciting songs, no thrill no finale. My son fell asleep 15 min. into the 2nd act out of boredom. Please rework lackluster story line. Not for kids and barely able to follow as an adult. We left so deflated and upset that the show just did not deliver. We will NEVER pay to go see a preview again! Way to much money for a bad, over hyped production that could have been/should have been great!
Sorry to the cast I know you have tried and I so wanted this to be an amazing broadway experience but it just did not deliver on any level. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 45 |
Review by: pmc230675, Jan 2, 2011 |
could it be any worse?
three stops for technical glitches, a dreadful production, awful set, terrible costumes, awful music, lacklustre performances and only mildly entertaining aerial stunts - i have never sat in a theatre for three hours and not clapped!
the appluase was polite at the most, and there was a significant number of the audience not applauding at all! |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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I saw this show with:
Alone
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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