Donmar Announces Spider-Man Revival

[Telegram Spam]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 7:18pm

The Donmar Warehouse announced today that its long awaited revival of "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" will begin previews on October 5th with opening night set for October 6th.

The cast of five, headed by Daniel Radcliffe will each play an instrument, in a Donmar tradition that never feels old or stale. Cutting edge trampoline techniques are being utilized for all flying sequences.

Barry and Fran Weissler are already in discussions to bring the Donmar production to Broadway in 2012. (Though likely not until after the recently announced Encores! staging.)

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 7:21pm

Hooray!

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 7:22pm

Hm...is it still a revival if it opens before the original production technically opens?

[wonkit]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 7:36pm

I think that technically it is considered a resurrection. I am sure the Tony committee will make a ruling.

[Edna Turnblad]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 7:52pm

I've heard that Daniel will actually be playing all the roles. He will also be playing all the instruments, except when Julie Taymor comes in for a special kazoo solo. Or is it harmonica?

[chewy5000]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 9:21pm

What time do I have to get there for rush?

[Telegram Spam]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 9:35pm

An excellent question #1Elphie!!!

I think that Aristotle would say that a revival can technically open ahead of the original production. On the other hand, Plato and Actors Equity might not agree.

By the way, within the last hour, rumors have started to circulate that Radcliffe may bow out of the production, to be replaced by Charlie Sheen. The sticking point is whether Sheen would be allowed to provide his own flying effects.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 9:41pm

Love.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 9:51pm

Isn't the actors playing instruments device associated more with Watermill Theatre in Newbury?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 9:56pm

I thought it was playing the Hollywood Bowl first this summer with Toby McGuire playing Spiderman, then being re-staged in London with the instruments.

Summer 2011 - Hollywood Bowl
October 2011 - London/West End
Spring 2012 - Encores! "out of town tryout"
Falll 2012 - revival opens on B'way at the Lyceum(just rumored for now).

[rorschach37]

Posted: 2/8/11 at 11:58pm

This thread made me chuckle.

[mallardo]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 1:11pm

Yeah, as far as I know the Donmar has never done a show featuring actors playing instruments. A little accuracy would make your post funnier.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 1:25pm

It's accurate, he just forgot to mention that John Doyle is scheduled to direct

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 2:28pm

Mendes had actors playing instruments in his revival of Cabaret which began at the Donmar. True it wasn't as extensive, or intrusive, as Doyle's productions were, but casting notices for ensemble roles did require that actors have knowledge of several instruments.

[TheatreDork3]

Posted: 2/9/11 at 2:40pm

I just heard that Daniel Radcliffe will be wearing a specially designed costume created my Issac Mizrahi that is half Spiderman and half Arachne. July Taymor and her kazoo solo will also portray all of the Geek Chorus using puppets she will birth especially for this production.

TD