If there’s anyone who might be able to offer an informed opinion on a Spider-Man musical, it’s a Spider-Man writer. The much-maligned Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark returned to Broadway this week after a major overhaul that included a new script and book by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, a comic book writer who has actually written Spidey stories. And now, The Amazing Spider-Man writer Dan Slott is calling him “the hero who saved Spidey” in his Tweeted review of the revamped show. Wow — really??
In a nutshell, Dan Slott is extremely satisfied with the new musical. And all it really took was someone who knew how to tell Spidey’s story. It was an extremely smart move to bring a Spidey writer into the mix, and it looks like it really paid off. For one thing, it looks like Spidey’s character has been shifted from uncharacteristically serious to the wise-cracking Spidey who quips while he fights, according to Slott. And along with Aguirre-Sacasa’s contributions, some better choreography and stunt coordination have made a huge difference:
1 thing that HASN’T changed (and I’ve seen both versions) the cast remains EXCELLENT! :) And in this NEW ver they shine MORE! @SpideyOnBway Now, during TURN OFF, Uncle Ben is NOT killed by being run over by a car! The lesson here: Want something fixed? Use a comic book writer! :) In TURN OFF THE DARK, know what Peter says after Uncle Ben dies? “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility!” He DIDN’T B4! They FIXED IT! Tonights show: No stopping. Not even once. All good, all the way through! :) And all the stunts and ADDED flying sequences were AWESOME!
Slott also says that after the show, the cast and crew “let out their own hoots and cheers” backstage after knowing they were part of a much better show. Coming from someone like Slott, this sounds very promising. Maybe Broadway will have a legitimate hit on their hands. And maybe — just maybe — everyone will actually make it out unscathed!
