Equity Update: SPIDER-MAN Performances to Be Halted- Page 2

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 1:58pm

I agree with the points made in that Gawker article. Especially the comments about it being the preview period. I said this from the first preview: they've literally had over a YEAR to work out the kinks. Saying the preview period is going to be extended to iron out the problems is ridiculous. They've had more than plenty of time. And, on top of that, the preview period isn't the time to rework the entire show, which from what I hear from mostly everyone, is what SPIDER-MAN needs. A makeover from top to bottom; at least in terms of score, book, direction, and much of the casting. I'm sorry, but there really is no excuse why the score and book are horrendous, if they are as bad as everyone is saying. They have had SO much time to make this show work.

The producers have to know they're in deep sh*t now. There's just no way this show is going to get good reviews and all of the press has been bad press. Sure, it'll attract people to see it at first for the spectacle of it all, but word of mouth has been absolutely horrible. Spectacle can only go so far in the theater. I don't buy that crap about spectacle and extravagance being enough to make a show a sell-out phenomenon. If that were true, SHREK and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN would have been the biggest hits Broadway had ever seen. ...not so much.

They need to sell out for 4+ years to break even. They could barely make it four weeks without something going horribly wrong. Good freaking luck to this production team. I hope they do the right thing, whatever that may be. Clearly there is more at risk right now than finances.
Updated On: 12/21/10 at 01:58 PM

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 2:02pm

Perhaps a better word is "could." Her entire career could be denouced... et cetera et cetera.

Yes, I like that much better, actually. Thank you.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 2:02pm

here's my beef:
This is Theatre, not a football scrimage, it should not be that dangerous to act!
Equity, as weak as it can be sometimes, could easily shut down the show by not allowing the actors to work in an unsafe environment. Then The producers of STOTD, could sue them.

And, why was Reeve twittering for the last year what a blast is was to be learning swinging and stuff when he doesn't seem to do one stunt?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 2:06pm

And, why was Reeve twittering for the last year what a blast is was to be learning swinging and stuff when he doesn't seem to do one stunt?

True story.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 2:11pm

Reports now saying the matinee is canceled, but the evening is on.

Someone buy those box office workers a bottle of scotch... or a case of it.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 2:15pm

Actually, Actors' Equity has a lot more authority here than you might think.

Rule 62-H-1 of the most recent contract between Actors' Equity and the League of American Theatres and Producers establishes Equity's right to "protect the Actor from injury which may jeopardize or terminate a professional career."

The contract acknowledges that it is not Equity's intention to "interfere with proper artistic judgments," but it says very clearly: "nor shall any Actor be required to perform in a costume or upon a set which is inherently dangerous."

If the producer does not agree, the question must be submitted promptly to a two-person committee consisting of the Executive Director of Equity and the Executive Director of the League. If they cannot come to an agreement, they must submit the matter promptly to binding arbitration.

Additionally, the union has a moral obligation to protect its members. These four injuries are more than enough to lend that moral obligation an even greater power in the court of public opinion. Given the kind of negative publicity the production has already received, any kind of organized protest or rally would attract the kind of publicity that could end the show.

So, I wouldn't say that Equity is acting like a "little conquering army."

This is precisely why unions exist.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 2:30pm

Orangeskittles....there is a fine line between "artistic vision" and just plain stupidity and ego.

Her "vision" has harmed 4 people already...and they are not just "a dance injury" or some freak accident...they are serious safety concerns. How anyone can still be defending this now $70 million show is beyond me.

...Which has nothing to do with my post at all. I was responding to the quoted comment that Julie Taymor's career consists of nothing more than spending money and hurting people.

And the posts following mine pretty much prove my other claim- cries to shut it down have been coming from the same posters since long before it opened, and the one actress had a concussion, and they didn't have an ending, etc. etc. etc. It's more than evident the outrage is about Julie Taymor and the show's mere existence, and not out of sincere concern for the actors.

[bundy5000]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 2:32pm

orangeskittles I was just being sarcastic, take a xanax

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 2:33pm

lulz

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 3:00pm

Katurian - where did you hear that the wed mat is cancelled? I have tix for tomorrow mat. Is anything officially posted anywhere yet? Certainly nothing on the SPIDERMAN Website?? as far as I can see. Can someone let me know or put a link up? Thanks.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 3:56pm

Yeah, and your sarcastic punchline still accuses Julie Taymor of spending and hurting the innocent. It's not my fault you don't understand how sarcasm works.

[bundy5000]

Posted: 12/21/10 at 9:40pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yl3UMO-TkE

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 12/22/10 at 12:33am

>> It's more than evident the outrage is about Julie Taymor and the show's mere existence

Taymor is a lousy director, period, end of story. Great designer (well, usually), but lousy, lousy director. She got 65 mil and almost an damn decade to put this together, and it's a mess.

Any more questions?