Actors’ Union Shutters ‘Spider-Man’ Musical: What Took So Long?

[Omaha Steve]

http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/sright/2010/12/24/actors-union-shutters-spider-man-musical-what-took-them-so-long/

by Larry O'Connor

Actor Chris Tierney, dressed in the iconic Spider-Man superhero costume, teetered on the edge of the set piece representing the Brooklyn Bridge. After a dramatic moment, Tierney leapt out toward the audience, just as Director Julie Taymor had choreographed. The rope attached to his back was meant to hold the actor in a launch-like position, like a cinematic freeze-frame effect. But, last night things did not go as rehearsed. The cable attached to the actor’s back detached and the 31-year-old “aerialist” plunged at rapid speed through the stage floor. Moments later, Jennifer Damiano, the actress playing Spidey’s love interest, Mary Jane, screamed in horror… real-life horror. Her fellow cast-member had just seriously injured himself in an accident that could have, and should have been prevented.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGCr_C4dU8U&feature=player_embedded&has_verified=1

Actors’ Equity Association, the theatrical actors union, has finally stepped in and pulled its members from the production until significant changes are made to the show’s special effects. The show’s press representative has announced that they plan to re-open Wednesday night, but insiders say it will be difficult to make that deadline.

Broadway professionals who are accustomed to dealing with Actors’ Equity Association on a regular basis have been wondering when the union would finally step in and perform the fundamental role they have always claimed to play: protector of the safety of their members. In an era where producers are forced to hire full-time massage therapists for chorus dancers and must pay hazard premiums to actors who perform on a raked (slanted) stage, it is an outrage that Mr. Tierney was the fourth actor to sustain an injury in this ill-conceived stage extravaganza.

Of course, ultimately the responsibility for this debacle is a combination of a stubborn, visionary director and a weak, inexperienced producer willing to accommodate her every desire. But, in the traditional roles of the collaborating entities that make up a Broadway Musical team, the director and producer have never pretended to have the actors’ safety and well-being as their primary focus. That sanctimonious position has been held by the actors’ union which often holds productions hostage for hazard pay, extra staffing and special make-up to protect the pores of the actors in their charge.

FULL story at link.

[Orrex]

1. Haven't seen a body count this high since the '92 Guys n Dolls revival.

That sewer scene is a killer.

[Hawkeye-X]

2. Steve - note to yourself

Don't link to Andrew Breitbart's website. Thanks!

[Orrex]

3. I hear that Spider-Man tried to petition ACORN to help him fund his brothel

That's what Breitbart's website told me anyway.

[Omaha Steve]

7. I knew the headline would get plenty of views

Sometimes I play the devil to get some traffic in here. The page views are way ahead of all other stories today. I knew there would be some comments about the source too. :-)


http://www.flickr.com/photos/22395170@N05/5291319581/sizes/l/in/photostream/

[Hawkeye-X]

8. I know.. sometimes you stir up trouble.. but good luck on that rotator cuff surgery

Hopefully you'll be pitching in time for the summer! :evilgrin:

[Ezlivin]

4. Fact: John Booth did not kill Abraham Lincoln with a pistol

This play has been killing and injuring people for years.

Now you know the rest of the story....

[marmar]

5. The Ishtar of 42nd Street

nt

[rusty charly]

6. Never trust Breitbart.

The actor's union did nothing but make a weak, meaningless statement,

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/146044-Actors-Equity-Says-Spider-Man-Injury-Was-Human-Error

the production itself cancelled the next performance, OSHA came and looked at the mechanisms on stage

http://www.showbiz411.com/2010/12/21/spider-man-a-go-union-osha-approve

and the show started up again the next night. End if story. Just for the record: They're pulling in $1 million a week in ticket sales.

http://www.backstage.com/bso/content_display/news-and-features/e3i09aba15b01407a9eb88dd203c02de620

Although Brietbart may have the general facts correct about Spider-Man, as usual he skews them to make the point he wanted to make going in.