My view of Spiderman 2.0 versus 1.0 (spoilers)

[theater junkie]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 10:44am

Saw the first version in Jan and returned again last night for 2.0. Let me start off by saying both times I thought that this was the best theatrical experience i have ever seen including the cirque shows but as far as a broadway show, I don't think it compares well, which i think is very exciting and an edge that broadway can embrace.

In 1.0 I loved the character of arachne and the geek chorus. I thought that when there were mistakes in 1.0 they were huge, such as the song about the shoes and now in 2.0 there are few but I can't say the story or character developemnent is any better. For example in 1.0 Arachne is more of a villianous creature and I really liked how she fought to get Spidey back and I thought provided great background. Also in 1.0 I liked how she flew over the audience more. I think her voice is so unique and compliemtns U2's score so much that she is a wasted talent now, who provides introduction but never fully connects.

I did love the end to the second act this time around,with Reeve getting to fly. He is such a talent, he should get a tony nomination just for what he does in this show and win for how he does it.

The flying sequences are still breathtaking and am still impressed with this ambition.

One final note I have to give it to the entire cast. They seem to have grasped the potential of this show and pushed everyone not to give up hope, come on to be almost paralyzed to back on stage in the same production. The one thing you get at the stage door, by the way they have all come out both times I have seen it, not that it is required or anything, but a far change from the half-filled adams family where 2 lesser characters came out and that was it, is that they are dedicated to this show and believe in it. I think this is a show that can connect to the masses, maybe not the typical broadway crowd, but if i have to recommend a show to someone with limited or no broadway experience, i would not hesitate to recommend Spiderman 2.0.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 11:59am

I saw the show on Wednesday. My first time. Visually it is stunning and almost hits sensory overload. I disagree about Carney. I don't think his acting was anything to write home about but with everything going on in that theater, it doesn't matter. His voice is really great live though. Everything I heard about Arachne seemed to be negative in the first version. I like how she only appears a few times. I found myself looking forward to seeing and hearing Ms Carpio. Her voice is wonderful. As for the score, with the exception of about 3 or 4 songs, I was very disappointed. Not the greatest book and the choreography was nothing new. But with everything going on on that stage and in the theater, most people will overlook these things. It is a spectacle. I also don't think they should have added the song that "winks" at the problems the show has had.

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 2:12pm

I thought Reeve flew at the end of Spiderman 1.0 as well didn't he? Like around early Spring they added a flying sequence at the end after Mary Jane yells "Go Get 'Em Tiger!" and then Reeve flies around the theatre and lands at the top?

[willep]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 5:38pm

Yeah, they added that in January or February ^

[siny]

Posted: 2/4/12 at 1:44pm

I saw version 2 yesterday after seeing version 1 early in its run. Version 2 is definitely better - the story now makes sense and moves along without unnecessary detours. The sets are still the best thing about this show. This time aerial stunts went off without a hitch and were quite impressive. I loved "Rise above" and "If the World Should End", the rest of the songs - not so much. Christine Sajous as Arachne stands out vocally, head and shoulders above the rest. Patrick Page steals the show as Green Goblin.

But the story is still meh and it got very tedious at times. All in all, this is a great spectacle, but not very good theater. I would not want to see it again, that's for sure.

And a question that I am sure was answered already, but I could not find it - where are they hiding the orchestra ?

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 2/4/12 at 2:28pm

There are two rooms stage right for the orchestra, they're not under the stage, but almost under the wing space.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 2/4/12 at 2:30pm

I think making Arachne have a last moment, later after turn off the dark, would tremendously help with the complaints of the character, although, I am fine with the current structure of the play.

[siny]

Posted: 2/4/12 at 4:16pm

Thanks, LegallyBroadway.

Also, I forgot to mention that since the show is apparently set in the 50's or 60's, all the mentions of Internet and Facebook are very jarring and completely unnecessary.

[WorkerBee]

Posted: 2/5/12 at 8:18am

The original concept of the show (although completely lost in translation to the stage) was that the SPIDER-MAN story was a timeless piece, spanning the decades. That's why you had a mish-mosh of periods and styles. Many people were confused by the 1940's reporters along side references to Facebook and other shifts in time periods. Interesting idea that really never came to fruition.

[jetts7]

Posted: 2/5/12 at 10:22am

I didn't get a chance to see 1.0. Did Arachne twist around the stage flying? My friend saw it and said that she did that. Is that true?

[perfectliar]

Posted: 2/5/12 at 11:59am

jetts7 - Arachne had a lot of flying in the original version, most notably from the mezzanine to the stage during a now-cut song called "Think Again."

But I think the twisting and flying your friend refers to is probably about "Turn Off the Dark," in which Arachne twists above Peter Parker's bed and invades his dreams; I'm pretty sure the aerial choreography is the same now as it was in the first version, though.

[trentsketch]

Posted: 2/5/12 at 3:53pm

jetts7, in 1.0, Atachne's legs spun while she flew across the stage in Think Again. There's video somewhere, but not where I remember it being.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 2/5/12 at 5:17pm

http://media.prologuefilms.com/movies/SM_ThinkAgain.ogv

video from Kyle Cooper's website.

The song was great, this was an early version... later on she did more around the house. My favorite aerial moment of the show, the sudden drops were incredible.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 2/5/12 at 5:36pm

btw what the hell are the furies doing back there..?

[whatacharacter]

Posted: 1/9/14 at 8:05am

I apologize if this was covered elsewhere... I know there are audios of 1.0 floating around. Are there any video clips? I am so curious to see Arachne's cut material and the original ending.

[whatacharacter]

Posted: 6/19/15 at 8:20am

bump...

PM me if you have any 1.0 info

[grstp]

Posted: 6/19/15 at 1:13pm

Sorry for bumping this thread back up but does anyone have any video of 1.0's cut material?

[ARTc3]

Posted: 6/19/15 at 2:12pm

Interesting to find, Spider-man: Turn Off the Dark, back on this message board. I don't have video, but I did want to add some thoughts...

I saw, Spider-man, 4 times. This is extremely unique for me. I do try and see everything, very few things more than once. (Years ago, when I lived in the Theater District, I used to "second act" shows multiple times.)

I saw Spider-man v1 3 times and Spider-man v2 once. I was completely crushed and saddened to see what they did to v2. In my opinion, there was a lot to be worked out (which was slowly getting worked out) with Taymor's version, but it was fresh and exciting and over-the-top crazy fun.

Version 2 was just dull and made less sense than act 2 of version 1. The choices that were made to "reboot" the show were just wrong. (With the exception of the funeral scene which I found interesting.) The added dialogue was terrible and offered nothing to the show. The new choreography - if you could say "new" - was uninspired.

I get moving the "big" climax from the end of act 1 to the end of the show when the net effects were clearly not going to work and there was no spectacular battle to close act 2. 

The answer wasn't extend act 1 to two acts and cut most of act 2. Or, to get rid of the new villain, Arachne's, purpose for being included making her a useless appendage.

I know there is a lot of "hate" here for Ms. Taymor. I though her work brilliant and I only wish she was either more organized and could have completed her vision within budget (time and money), or that she was given the opportunity to finish her work.

Spider-man was a disaster on many accounts. I get that. I also think what Ms. Taymor was attempting to accomplish was awe inspiring.