Song of Spider-Man is the story behind the conception, development, and production of one of Broadway’s most famous and most troubled musicals: Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Glen Berger, who co-wrote the book for the production, wrote this behind-the-scenes story while the musical was still running–but by the time the paperback came out, it had shut down after numerous performers had been injured and millions of dollars had been lost.
I don’t really remember where I first heard of this book, but it’s been on my TBR for years (thank you to my CBR Gift Exchange gifter for giving it to me last month!). I don’t have a huge interest in Broadway, or musicals, or Spider-Man, but I do love to read about something chaotic. The first few chapters of this were fairly slow, as Berger details how they first secured funding and developed the basic outline of the story (the first story, that is–which was so poorly received by critics that the production shut down for several months for retooling). The story picks up speed once they begin casting and rehearsing. The logistics of the show were fascinating–how do you make the audience feel as though Spider-Man is jumping from building to building and suspended upside down from the ceiling, without the magic of Hollywood? These logistics contributed to the ever-swelling budget (the most expensive Broadway show in history, so far). Berger recounts these logistical challenges, as well as casting problems, issues with the music (written by Bono and the Edge of U2), and many, many personality conflicts backstage. By the time I was about halfway through the book, I didn’t want to put it down.
This production was notorious for problems–several performers were injured, at least one quite severely. The budget ballooned. The original director–Julie Taymor, who also adapted The Lion King for the stage, to great acclaim–refused to listen to anyone who questioned her vision, and eventually was fired (and later sued the producers). The show had more previews than any other Broadway show. It got bad reviews and was a punching bag for late night TV hosts and Broadway critics. It lost millions, but it also broke box office records. Reading about it, it’s hard to believe anyone thought a Broadway musical about Spider-Man was a viable idea. Berger acknowledges that it’s hard for him to be objective, considering he wrote most of the script and, by his own account, was in awe of his co-writers, Taymor, Bono, and the Edge. Even so, I think he did a good job at trying to be honest about his own role in the chaos and the mistakes he made.
After I finished the book, I looked up clips from the show on YouTube. I was amazed at what I saw. I’m sure it looked much more impressive in the theater, but in clips it looked cartoonish, amateurish–and cheap, which is really what struck me, considering how much money was spent. Song of Spider-Man is a fascinating look at what can result from hubris. I’d recommend it to any Broadway fans, or anyone who loves to read about a hot mess.
