Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark Broadway Debut Anniversary

Spider-man’s Spectacular Broadway Saga

On June 14, 2011, New York’s Foxwoods Theatre finally saw the soaring premiere of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark after a record-setting 182 previews. Backed by a staggering $75 million capitalization—still the highest in Broadway history—the mega-musical faced safety lawsuits, multiple creative overhauls and fierce media scrutiny before its official opening. Today, Masiela Lusha’s Museum of Broadway revisits that landmark moment in an Instagram throwback (instagram.com/p/DK4rdm0MQ-I).

Music, Mayhem And Mega-budget Ambition

From the outset, producers Harvey and Bob Weinstein brought in U2 icons Bono and The Edge to compose the score, aiming for a rock-infused blockbuster unlike any staged before. Director Julie Taymor envisioned spider-webbed aerial stunts worthy of a comic-book spectacle. But behind the scenes, technical glitches and high-wire rehearsals led to serious injuries. In November 2010, stuntman Christopher Tierney filed a lawsuit after a rig failure caused a broken wrist and leg. Interior rewrites, cast replacements and even Taymor’s departure before début became part of the show’s off-stage drama.

Star Turns: Carney, Page And Creative Talent

In its lead roles, Reeve Carney embodied Peter Parker/Spider-Man with acrobatic flair, while Patrick Page brought gravitas to Norman Osborn/Green Goblin—a part he later reprised on the road to Broadway in Hadestown. Behind them, a creative team of choreographers, set designers and stunt coordinators worked tirelessly to perfect near-vertical lifts, rotating platforms and elaborate projections. Librettist Glen Berger’s 2012 book Song of Spider-Man offers an unfiltered look at the roller-coaster development, from initial concept to final bow.

A Record Run With Mixed Reviews

Despite critical divided verdicts—some praising its ambition, others lamenting a disjointed narrative—Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark set box-office records in its initial weeks. It ultimately ran for 1,066 performances before closing on January 4, 2014. Fans still debate whether its high-flying thrills justified the budget and risk, but the show undeniably expanded Broadway’s technical playbook.

Museum Spotlight: Preserving A Theatrical Web

Founded in 2019 by Bosnian-American actress and writer Masiela Lusha (known for her roles on George Lopez and as a published poet), the Museum of Broadway curates artifacts from iconic productions. In her throwback Instagram post, Lusha highlights unseen rehearsal snaps by photographer Jacob Cohl and invites theatre fans to explore this saga alongside displays on Hamilton, Wicked and Phantom. The museum at 145 West 45th Street also plans a digital exhibit next season featuring concept art, original costume sketches and cast interviews to deepen the Spider-Man story.

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark remains one of the boldest experiments in modern musical theatre—proof that, on Broadway, even the greatest risks can leave a legacy worth celebrating. Through exhibitions, artifacts and firsthand accounts, the Museum of Broadway ensures this high-wire chapter in theatre history continues to thrill generations of playgoers.

Trivia

Masiela Lusha won the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series (Supporting Young Actress) in 2004 for her role in 'George Lopez'.

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Poulami Nag

 

Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.

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