Sometimes you read something on the internet and even though it’s posted on several “reputable” sites, by several different writers, you still don’t believe it’s true.
A month ago I experienced this phenomenon when I read that Sean Penn was cast in the new Three Stooges movie. I experienced it again in regards to the new Spider man musical that’s heading to Broadway.
Surprisingly, I completely believe Spider man would provide fodder for the musical stage. Like Hollywood, Broadway’s profit margins are so thin they can’t take many chances on new material. They have to use well known source material in order to secure the financial backing necessary to produce a Broadway show.
Of course, I might have chosen a Disney movie or gone the route of a cheesy jukebox musical instead of having everyone’s favorite web slinger croon and prance around on stage.
Spider man is probably the most sarcastic superhero around and musical theater is the one medium that eschews sarcasm. After all, it’s hard to be acerbic when you’re expressing your feelings in song.
What shocked me about “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark,” a musical directed by Julie Taymor, is the show’s composer. It’s none other than Messrs. Bono and Edge.
Taymor and Bono worked together on her Beatles musical, “Across the Universe.” For the project Bono covered two Beatles’ classics, “I Am the Walrus” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”
Still, Taymor must have some incriminating pictures of the U2 duo, or maybe she’s has pull with the Malibu city council and can help the Edge build those houses. Either way, this project seems an odd undertaking for the coolest half of the coolest rock band in the world.
Nationwide casting calls are currently underway although rumors had Rachel Evan Wood slated to play Mary Jane. However, Taymor dismissed the speculation stating she wants to go with unknown actors.
The casting process began April 9th in Orlando and ends May 27th in Austin, Texas. When it’s all said and done, casting directors will have visited six U.S. cities.
What are they looking for besides someone that tingles their Spidey senses? Well they’re looking for “performers with dynamic rock/pop voices including those with experience in bands and as solo performers.” Fortunately, that leaves out Tobey Maguire.
The musical, which begins previews in 2010 (but of course Spiderman tickets go on sale this June), caused a bit of stir on the internet over the announcement that it included a “lead female villain.”
It makes sense, Doctor Octopus, the Green Goblin, Venom, Carnage, Electro, the Sandman, the Vulture, the Hobgoblin and Sam Raimi would be too hard to recreate for the stage.
The casting call described the show’s villain as “Sinead O’Connor with a Middle Eastern/Bulgarian/Greek twist.” You have to love the way entertainment types mix and match characteristics; I have no idea what they are talking about.
Some speculated that the unnamed villainess is Dr. Victoria Von Doom while others claimed it’s Black Cat. Another thinks it’s Hillary Clinton. According to several sources the new bad girl, created specifically for the show, is Swiss Miss (the name doesn’t fit the description though).
The nerds at Aint It Cool News had an interesting post claiming the villainess is a new character called Arachne. She’s your typical time traveling beauty that turned herself into a “spider for her hubris.”
Who knows, you can’t believe everything you read on the internet.
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