‘Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark’ began an official Broadway run last night after months of disastrous previews that left cast members hospitalized and forced a complete overhaul of the show. Now, critics who once bashed the musical are changing their tune over the improvements. Will Spidey’s web stick on the Great White Way?

U2′s rock musical has FINALLY arrived. And while reviewers aren’t quite raving about the show, they’re being quite kind to the troubled production. Here’s a smattering of excerpts from the most high-profile reviews.

“The final mutation of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is not a multidisciplinary breakthrough, as Taymor hoped; it’s just a musical.” — Time Out New York‘s David Cote (three of five stars)

“After myriad delays and hiccups, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark opened Tuesday, with no attendant reports of pigs flying or Hades freezing over. And it looks as if this $75 million underdog might just make it.” — USA Today‘s Elysa Gardner (three of four stars)
“In the last year, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark has gone from artistic oddity to conventional family entertainment. Between that and the strength of its brand name, it’s ready to join Madame Tussauds and Shake Shack on a tourist’s Times Square itinerary.” — New York Post‘s Elisabeth Vincentelli (two and a half of four stars)

“But still, for the grown-up snarkers among us, the new Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is a little too blandly and competently whipped into shape to be the unforgettable hot mess we’ve collectively embraced. Shortly after Norman Osborn’s transformation, the Green Goblin wink-nudgingly refers to himself as a ’65 million dollar circus tragedy – well more like 75 million.’ Man, if only.” — Rolling Stone‘s Evie Nagy (favorable)

“Partly because the performers are masked, you experience little of the vicarious wonder and exhilaration that comes from watching Peter Pan or even Mary Poppins ride the air in other musicals. The effect is rather like looking at anonymous daredevils who have been strapped into a breakneck ride at an amusement park. Come to think of it, Coney Island might be a more satisfying choice.” — The New York Times‘ Ben Brantley (unfavorable)

What do you think, HollywoodLifers? Will you be going to see ‘Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark?’

I saw the Spider-Man musical — which is the talk of Broadway for all the wrong reasons – and trust me when I say you should do anything you can to see this Broadway spectacular!

Surrounded by technical issues, stuntman injuries and costly delays, the upcoming Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark may have put a bad taste in many people’s mouths. However, after seeing a preview performance Dec. 29, I can tell you the show’s imagination, outside the box thinking and flying Spider-Man fun is a complete joy for anyone spending a night on Broadway!

The thing on everyone’s mind before the show started was stuntman Christopher Tierney’s recent fall, which wasn’t unnoticed by producers of the show, as they came on stage before everything started to let everyone know the progress Christopher was making and his urge to get back on the show when he is at full health. It set the audience at ease to enjoy the near three hour show. However, on that note, the first time Spider-Man took flight, the audience screamed as if they were experiencing a rough landing on a commercial flight — almost expecting something horrible to happen!

As for the music, if you like U2, you will love the songs. Plus, Matthew James Thomas, who played Spidey, looks like a young Clay Aiken and sings his songs with the passion and fever of a young Bono.

Even though there are multiple flying stunts and a performance by Patrick Page as Normon Osborn and his alter ego Green Goblin that may steal the show, there are still some aspects of the show that can be improved.

A lesser known Spidey villian, Arachne, (played by T.V. Carpio) is not very memorable. Unfortunately, that character takes most of the stage time in the second half of the show, which is less spectacular then the fun and inspired first half that goes through the normal Spider-Man mythology.

Overall, if you want to see something that you have never seen before – something that will test your imagination and take it to places you never thought – go buy your tickets now. It may have had a rough start, but I’m here to say Spider-Man is an impressive feat, thanks to director and co-writer Julie Taymor, and song writers Bono and The Edge.

IN SUMMARY: Will you enjoy Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark? If you enjoy comic book fun and a sense of wonder and Cirque De Soleil type stunts, then I say, yes — four out of five web slingers for sure!

Russ Weakland

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Christopher Tierney — who fell 30 feet last week & broke his ribs — is still in the hospital, but eager to get back onstage. Is he nuts?

Surrounded by family, stunt double Christopher Tierney spent the holidays in a hospital after injuries suffered during a preview performance of the upcoming Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. But the actor’s father assures fans that his son is not only up and walking, but that he also hopes to return to the troubled production as soon as he can!

Christopher’s father Tim Tierney told the Associated Press, “They’re eagerly awaiting his return. He just felt so blessed to be part of this whole creative process, and he just cannot wait to get back and perform in the show.”

A faulty rope caused Christopher to fall during a Dec. 20 preview of the troubled musical, which left the actor with broken ribs and internal bleeding. This has been the third injury on set – and the show hasn’t even opened yet! He was bedridden until Dec. 24, when he was able to walk for the first time since his injury.

Julie Taymor, the show’s director and co-writer, came to visit Christopher in the hospital on Christmas Eve.

We know the musical is a huge opportunity for Christopher, but he should focus on his recovery and leave the web-slinging to those without injuries. We don’t want your family to worry about you any more!

– William Earl

Early reports say Spidey’s Broadway debut needs a lot of work before it’s ready for the public.

With a budget of more than $65 million, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark is the most expensive show in Broadway history — and it also might be the most flawed. The Julie Taymor-directed musical had its first preview performance Nov. 28, and although the high-flying acrobatics left young theater-goers enthralled, The New York Times reports that the show was marred with mistakes and actually stopped five times throughout its run of more than three hours.

Stop No. 1 came during a scene in Peter Parker’s (Reeve Carney) bedroom, when the Times says the star had to be released from a harness. But this minor glitch was nothing compared to the blunder that occurred at the end of Act I. The Times reports that Spider-Man landed on stage with Mary Jane Watson (Jennifer Damiano) in his arms, but instead of following that up with another successful high-jump, Spidey was suspended “several yards up and over the audience, then stopped.”

And what would an unpolished performance be without a good heckler? During a pause in Act II, an angry patron yelled out, “I don’t know how everyone else feels, but I feel like a guinea pig today! I feel like it’s a dress rehearsal!”

What do you think of this news, HollywoodLifers? Do YOU plan on checking out Spider-Man on Broadway when it opens in January, or are you totally disinterested? Drop us a comment and let us know!

Plus, click here to watch a behind-the-scenes look at ‘Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark!’