Costumes of Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark – Rise and Fall

 

I had originally planned on posting a review of the Broadway show.  I am a big fan of U2’s music and Julie Taymor’s theatrical productions. 

Most of the show did not disappoint.  The sets, the staging were visually brilliant in many scenes…The rotating NYC skyscrapers that allowed you to view the city from different angles.  The impressively simple weaving scene of the Arachne character was striking.  There was a surprisingly effective, witty/burlesque scene of multi-legged, corseted Arachne chorus with a shoe fetish.  The costume designs were by Eiko Ishioka, the Oscar-winning designer behind the looks of Dracula and Cirque du Soleil. 

Unfortunately, seven minutes before the show ended, at the climax of the production, Spiderman fell off the ledge and dropped 30 feet into the pit. A cable was left dangling off the side, like it should have been connected to something, but was not.  

There was a scream.  A voice yelled "Someone call 911!".  Then there was silence.  A minute later, the stage was still dark.  Then there was an announcement that the show would be delayed.  A second announcement came a few minutes later, that the performance would not continue.  The lights came up.

The shocked audience slowly exited the theater.  Everyone was concerned for the actor, many stayed to catch a glimpse of Spiderman to see if he was okay.  He was carried out to the ambulance still in costume.  

My prayers are with the performer for a speedy recovery.

Update: The actor's name was Christopher Tierney.  He was born in Spain, raised in New Hampshire and trained in Houston.