U2's 'Spider-Man' Musical Delayed Again

Posted on Oct 26th 2009 10:15AM by John D. Luerssen
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U2's Broadway play, 'Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark' has been delayed yet again. The multimillion-dollar musical is now expected to start previews and open this spring later than scheduled, according to the New York Times.

Weeks of production delays and ongoing difficulties recruiting additional investors for the show are being blamed for the holdup, according to an executive on the project. In an interview Thursday, speaking on the condition of anonymity because producers have not authorized any comment about the musical, the source said there was "no way" that rehearsals would begin on schedule later this fall.

The backlog of pre-production and casting work has accumulated since early August after lead producer David Garfinkle had reportedly failed to secure enough money to meet budget commitments and finance construction work. Cash flow improved early this month, however, and work on the project is again underway at the Hilton Theater.

Recently, U2 frontman Bono -- who wrote much of the music and lyrics with the Edge -- has looked to recruit new investors, as have Garfinkle and the book's co-writer Julie Taymor. But according to the report, a "realistic" timetable to start rehearsals is still in flux.