Spider-Man Changes

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 6/1/11 at 11:58pm

Has there been any new changes added to the show since it returned May 12? I just watched the video interview with Phillip William McKinley and he said that they were staging a new opening for Act 2?

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 12:25am

I wonder what the new act 2 opening will be. I know there are changes that have gone in and will go in because Bono said on his interview thy the show is 80% there and will be 100% by opening night.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 2:47am

I got the impression that they were just restaging the opening of the second act. I would assume "Freak Like Me" being the only new song in this incarnation will probably stay in despite the criticism from some. I hated it at frist too, but I like it now.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 3:39am

It's really interesting how Freak Like Me was part of the chorus in Deeply Furious later in the preview period for 1.0, and now they took that chorus and made it a whole new song!

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 9:47am

I saw it last night for the first time. In my opinion it is hands down the most visually stunning show to hit Broadway. Most of the music is forgettable. That number that the green Goblin now does that "winks" at the problems the show has been having should be cut, although I guess they feel they can do it because people are still buying tickets to see it. I could see it if the show had to shut down for other reasons but it kind of didn't work for me.

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 9:21pm

@uncageg -- So "Freak Like Me" is still the opening for act 2?

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 9:54pm

I love this show. But I hope they change the end of the Goblin battle.

It is amazing, but lasts 2 mionutes.

Here is my idea-

The first battle, seen in current performances, occurs. Ends the same way (with Spidey dropping into the trap along with the Goblin)

Then the scene progresses to the Bugle people and Flash taking photos. Spidey appearing around the theatre, as in current production.

Then, the JJ sees goblin is beginning to beat spidey.

Spidey flies out of the pit, in a ripped spidey suit. The goblin attacks him, and he falls into the aisle. Goblin pulls him up by his strings, and again beats him. Spidey is weak, and it seems as if the he is going to give up as the Goblin pins him onto (or close to) the proscenium side, taunting him. Mary Jane's screams are heard- the rope is going to snap

The scene dramatically pauses as Arachne appears from the upstage trap. She moves forward- and sings the moment from version 1 at the end of Love me or Kill Me. "The thread that you two mortals share" and "I know the agony" and such. She gives the rest of her powers to peter.

The music swells (like the Love Me or Kill Me battle music), and Spidey attacks the goblin full force. He finishes the battle by "throwing him" or pushing him back to the upstage wall, where he entered (and SPLATS at the end of the current battle)

Spidey then takes the piano and throws it. It falls the SAME way goblin does (not complete opposite).

**when arachne enters from upstage and moves down, she secretly brings a wire to harness to the piano. As she exits via center trap, crew hooks paino up in time for it to enter the stage at the end of the battle**

We hear him squashed, WITHOUT THE SPLAT SIGN.

During that, Reeve is harnessed backstage. The city set flies out, as Spidey and Mary Jane fly in and around a bit. The Brooklyn Bride set is brought back. (One of the best scenic moments, so unused). The scene resumes on the bridge as it is in the current show: "Say it Now reprise" and "I know you are Peter" stuff.

As spidey makes his final flight around, the cast, in New Yorker clothes, join on the stage as the Bridge unit returns to stage deck level. At the final moment, we see Arachne, spiderleggless pointing into the sky at Spidey.

Blackout.

I think this will bring Aracnhe into a more important character. Even if she just appears once more the guide peter in this final challenge, it would make her really more fleshed out and purposeful.

Bringing back the Bridge to end on represents, to me, the end of a nightmare. But as the danger presented by the Goblin no longer exists, the bridge represents danger to come. I always saw this set piece as critical to the story, and an important metaphor to the relationship between Peter-Spidey-Mary Jane. Love is the most important factor- even if the instability of the situation will always be a presence in their life. I see that in the bridge. Updated On: 6/2/11 at 09:54 PM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 10:06pm

I'm pretty sure it's just a bridge, dude.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 10:09pm

why is the song Sinistereo so scary and dangerous, but the song Spider-Man! makes fun of it. The characters are all just running around New york in ridiculous clothes acting as if Carnage is something they can just bop on the nose and run away from.

They need to take that seriously.

Peter and MJ and all the other main characters have great costumes. Very ideal. Then it looks like the New Yorkers are from some extremely stupid childish cartoon about stereotypes.

At the beginning of the scene, Kraven the Hunter should lift up the entire stage deck, which represents the street, and "stomp" on it at the separations, sending parts of it to different levels. The new yorkers slide down, and at the bottom, the other "freaks" begin there attacks.

I loved how at the beginning of Boy Falls From The Sky, Peter ran up the stage deck, and it became extremely tilted. He slid back down. It was a great effect- and could be reused in Spider-Man! with the New Yorkers being attacked.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 10:11pm

Its just a bridge, but its used in such a way that it means more.

Sometimes set pieces mean more than just a wall. or a mountain. or a tree.

It was the first thing we saw in version one. It was suspenseful. We saw it in the second version in the nightmare. The same meaning was used in both- but the emotion was never resolved.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 10:28pm

It's like with any show that was a big special effect... The special effect is always very brief. Just like the helicopter in Miss Saigon, and the chandelier in Phantom.

[jagfkb]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 10:30pm

^For one last scene with Arachnae, how's aobut this:

Only Spider-Man falls into the pit, the Goblin instead lands and laughs maniacally as if he's finally won. The lights fade to blackout as we see Peter in a torn Spider-Man outfit on the floor of the now risen trap. From the trap over the audience (where Arachnae first appears), comes Arachnae again, this time in the white curtain call outfit with the spider-legs. She and Peter have a scene where she reveals the secret to defeating the Goblin and the connection is made between her, Goblin, and Spider-Man: all three were born with exceptional powers which rivaled those of the Gods. All three exploited their powers: Arachnae by weaving blasphemous images, Goblin by seeking revenge, even Peter for his selfishness. However, Arachnae over came her punishment and vowed to use her powers for others, waiting for the right human to possess both powers and humanity. Peter now has the choice, either he can rise above the Goblin and take responsibility for his powers, or, like Goblin, let his selfishness rule over his actions. For me, without a scene acknowledging the connection between the three, Arachnae has no purpose.

Also, the Goblin death scene is way too comic for me, personally.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 6/2/11 at 10:40pm

^^ That is a perfect way to complete the characters.

I love that idea. But the only technical issue is that Spidey's harness has to travel up to Arachne on the balcony edge, then back to spidey so he can again fly.

I miss Arachne descending over the audience. It was really cool.

And in this form, it would be fitting!

The death deffintly needs to be re staged.

And, yes, some special effects elements last for a second. but if you see in Phantom, the overture is long so the chandeiler gets more play time. The crash is horribly not effective- but in the Las Vegas version, the beefed it up.

Miss Saigon's helicopter was brief, but that was because it was supposed to happen fast. It was a quick situation, in the reality of the play. In spidey's world, who has a 2 minute battle? make it at least 4 minutes.

Or add the part with Arachne, in such a way that it won't drag but help the story and make a really good ending.

so beef up the battle. Its not impossible. They had two battles in version one. So they should make the one battle into something as impressive as two.

All they would need to do is add a climax and resolution to the battle.

As is, its insanely impressive. The death was crap. But I would love to see Spidey almost lose, then beat the goblin with the help of Arachne's inspiration. It would climax and resolve the entire scene.

[LegallyBroadway2]

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

Oops! Read that wrong. There would be no issue have Arachne enter from the proscenium trap. I read it as the balcony launch pad.

I only suggested she enter from the rear because of the fact that they obviously want the piano kill someone!! Hahaha!

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/3/11 at 1:07am

kyl, yes, A Freak Like Me opens the second act. He introduces the other villians. The fight between Spidey and the Green Goblin is now later in the second act. The song A Freak Like Me is kinda bad but the visuals are fun. I LOVE the costume for the silver villian with the blades.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/3/11 at 1:56am

Uncageg- is Peter onstage during behold and wonder? And when the curtain goes up now is it just the school set?

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 6/3/11 at 7:00pm

@bwayphreak234 --- When I saw the show after it returned from previews, Peter steps off the stage when the curtain goes up to reveal the weavers during Behold and Wonder.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 6/3/11 at 8:30pm

^ So is the school scene before behold and wonder in front of the show curtain?

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 2:26pm

There is a brief overture, and Peter appears via center elevator. The voices of teasing students are heard, as Peter contemplates why he wrote a project on spiders. The teacher asks him to begin. Peter begins singing, reading from his project. Behind him, the spider web screen begins to illuminate.

Peter walks to stage left, then out. The show curtain rises, and a diamond is formed as the spider-web screen splits. Behind, the weavers are pulled up.

The Behold and Wonder occurs. Peter comes back out from his exit point and finishes his report as the spider web screen travels back in, and arachne flies out. The web screen flies out and the high school folds open. The students then enter.

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 2:43pm

^couldn't have explained it better myself. LegallyBroadway2 you are a TRUE spiderman fan!

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 2:56pm

I feel it "SURGING THROUGH MY VEINS!"

thats from love me or kill me.

haha I am a fan.


Updated On: 6/5/11 at 02:56 PM

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 3:17pm

Saw yesterday's matinee. Although somewhat different (I saw version 1 in December), it remains, IMO, a stupid, overbloated show. The most entertaining thing about it was that a woman brought an infant to the theatre and proceeded to breast feed the child for everyone to see. Guess they had to do something to spice up the proceedings, but isn't this going a little but too far?

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 3:25pm

hahaha this show isn't for everyone.

I talked to the executive producer recently and he said that they were employing a set of nibblers to gnaw on nipples of matinee performances to grasp that missing demographic. I'm glad they connected to your taste of theatre!

You missed out- evening performances has full on child birth in the upper balcony.
Updated On: 6/5/11 at 03:25 PM

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 3:32pm

My God is Sinistereo an awful, awful song but it looks so damn cool. It's a shame that they make the Sinister Six into such a joke throughout the show.

[LegallyBroadway2]

Posted: 6/5/11 at 3:43pm

I cannot disagree with that- that they make the sinister six a joke. I'm not one for violence- but seriously- why can't they kill some people or make some blood?

Blood meaning not ribbons of red in a silly puppet.

Make it as graphically thrilling as the screens depict.