SONG OF SPIDER-MAN by Glen Berger


The Inside Story of the Most Controversial Musical in Broadway History

I got to see this show on Broadway last summer. I knew some of the history, but I certainly didn’t know the future – the show closed on Jan. 4, 2014.

Last July, we had dinner plans that were cancelled at the last minute, so we hopped on the subway and decided to take a chance on getting in to see a show. The first theater we came to was the Foxwoods Theater so we ducked out of the rain to find they had great seats, 10th row center. The theater was about half full, there were lots of families with young children who probably enjoyed it the most. The music was okay, the story was too long and to be honest, both my husband and I dozed off at least once. Spiderman, or rather the several gymnasts that portrayed him, flew about the theater, often over our heads, landing in the balcony or mezzanine before flying back. We were close enough to see the platforms hidden behind the curtains, reminiscent of the circus trapeze acts. It truly was a spectacle.

This book is a fascinating look at the making of a Broadway show, but really much more than that. This was the most expensive show ever mounted, and was fraught with problems almost from the get go. Director Julie Taymor put together the team of Berger co-writing the book, with Bono and U2 writing the music, and history was in the making. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the kind of history they had in mind.

First, producer Tony Adams died, which was an awful blow. The budget, $25 million, apparently wasn’t enough and started spiraling out of control, topping out at $65 million. Producers started bailing, actors were getting hurt, and worst of all the word on the street was not good.

This is really a heartbreaking story of art gone awry, but it is written with great humor. Anyone who’s ever seen a Broadway show will find something to like here.

2/14 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SONG OF SPIDER-MAN: The Inside Story of the Most Controversial Musical in Broadway History by Glen Berger. Simon & Schuster; First Edition edition (November 5, 2013). ISBN 978-1451684568. 384p.

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