Epic or Epic Fail?

Well being a musical theater geek who also blogs, I feel that music clip that Justin showed in his last post spoke right to me. It had the classic melodies of Bernstein, the pseudo-inspired choreography of Robbins, and Twitter and MySpace and anti-gay e-Harmony! I can now only dream of the day when it will be played on the screens at Splash on Musical Mondays while all the homos sing along with their newest e-obsession.

However, in the real world of Broadway, it's not so easy. Take for example the latest adaptation/cultural popular subject to soon be on the Great White Way: Spider-Man, Turn off the Dark, the musical.

Okay, on the surface, we have a lot of good things going for it. Firstly (and just announced) Broadway veteran Alan Cumming will be playing the Green Goblin. Despite the obvious tittering usually accompanied by his last name, Cumming is already notorious for taking on edgy and morally twisted roles (Cabaret, Threepenny Opera, et al...), so I am sure he will capture this role with finesse.

Also, in the times of economical downturn and an equally downturned Broadway (see Rock of Ages), this show is looking to be the most expensive show ever staged in history with millions already invested. Although an expensive show could just mean an expensive disappointment.

And finally, spearheading this operation is totes brilliant director and costume designer, Julie Taymor. Taymor stunned audiences with her stage adaptation for the Lion King (being the first female Tony Award winner for Best Director) and also with her visually stunning movies Titus, and Across the Universe. I am personally very confident in her ability to defy expectations.

However, we must now look at the few red flags I see. I'll just go though them quickly... almost like a Band-Aid being ripped off.

1. Even Rachael Woods as Mary Jane
2. Music and lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge
3. A still yet-to-be cast Peter Parker/Spider-Man
4. A debut that keeps getting pushed back
5. No opening night date announced

So these things could be a great thing... or a disastrous. I guess only time will tell.