Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark Review
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"And we can rise above, open your eyes up, and you shall rise above." A lyric from the song "Rise Above 2" in the Broadway musical "Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark." Little did this once troubled musical know how true those lyrics will be. With re-casting, a script that changed, is "Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark" a marvelous experience, or is it lights out for the web head?
Story - "Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark" follows the story of high school geek Peter Parker, as he deals with his new found powers, battles villains, and learns his greatest lesson with great power comes great responsibility. That's just the overview of the story. "Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark" story for the most part captures the spirit of the Spider-Man mythos. Key characters like Mary Jane Watson, Norman Osborn, Aunt May, Flash Thompson, Uncle Ben make an appearance. ACT 1 follows Peter Parker during his high school years and how he gets his powers, it also includes the story of Arachne. For those who don't know the comics Arachne later becomes the 2nd Madame Web. She guides Spider-Man through his trials and tribulations, she's his voice of reason of why he should keep being Spider-Man. At first I didn't think Madame Web was needed, but as the story progresses and Parker has the black cloud over him, a voice of reason is needed. ACT 1 is very entertaining, the pacing and introduction of the characters are well done for the most the part. Peter gets bullied by Flash, has awkwardness moments with Mary Jane and even fights Bonesaw. Fans who have seen Sam Raimi's Spider-Man will see some similarities that are in the Broadway play. The only complaint I had is how they handle the death of Uncle Ben. Uncle Ben really didn't give the "With great power comes great responsibility speech." However somehow Peter mentions that speech, that was a little complaint. Other than that little geeky complaint ACT 1 is amazing with good development on key characters and the birth of a certain Goblin, but I won't give spoilers there. ACT 2 for the sake of spoilers I won't mention. ACT 2 is action pack with Spider-Man battling certain villains beside Goblin, Peter dealing with Jonah Jameson, trying to balance his friendship with Mary Jane. ACT 2 is finishes off strong, but at times I felt that it got a little kiddie. Especially in certain Green Goblin scenes, I felt like I was watching Adam's West Batman, which strangely it made a reference too with Boy Wonder.
Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark story will be a hit or miss for some comic fans, with no inclusion of Harry Osborn (Norman's son), and a misinformation of a certain sinister of villains (there is your hint). Also calling Goblin a mutant will make a comic geek cringe, however with those small complaints, the story does very well capturing the spirit, the theme and the trials and tribulations of Peter Parker. The story is not perfect, but it's not bad, it's a good story of one geeks rise and fall from grace, only to rise above and accept his destiny. If you call yourself a Spider-Man fan this is worth checking out.
Acting - The acting is great! Reeve Carney is Peter Parker, he nailed him. He balanced that geeky, emotional and the witty side of Spider-Man very well, and his performances were amazing especially in the song "Rise Above." Rebecca Faulkenberry plays Mary Jane Watson, and I thought she did great as MJ. The MJ in this play is similar to Dunst MJ in Raimi's Spider-Man, she's not really the party girl that we know, but she is the girl next door and I thought Faulkenberry capture that, very well and also her voice was great! Finally Patrick Page as the menacing Norman Osborn/Green Goblin, was another great performance. He balances that craziness, and drive to succeed with such grace, he is also the comedy relief in certain scenes which was pretty cute for the younger audiences.
Music - What is a Broadway Musical without music, and Bono and The Edge have written songs that not only capture Spider-Man, but also inspire you. With the combination of different styles of rock, orchestra and even a little techno the styles fit the world of Peter Parker very well. "Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark" music is one of my favorites. Stand out tracks like "Rise Above", "If The World Should End", "I Just Can't Walk Away (Say It Now)" are reasons alone to see these songs performed lived. The music is touching, moving and fun and it's one of those plays that bring you in with songs, webs you up, and doesn't let go. The choreography was great too, especially the fight sequence with Goblin, and Spider-Man swinging around the theater.
Final Grade B-/***out of 4 - "Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark" is entertaining, moving at times, but sometimes can get a little kiddie in certain scenes, but that's nitpicking. However it has done what it was suppose to do and that's capture the spirit, the world of Spider-Man. The theme of great power comes great responsibility is shown throughout the show. The story can be confusing to some who don't know the meaning of Arachne or Madame Web, but it's develop and integrated very well for the purpose of Peter Parker. The performances are solid all around, the choreography is good and the music you will feel inspired. This musical once rocky start, with injuries, cast changes, and constant critic bashing, has risen above it all and is now a musical you should check out. It's unlike any play you will see in a while, it's unique choreography, it's music and it's story. Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark is a marvel experience for the whole family.
Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark story will be a hit or miss for some comic fans, with no inclusion of Harry Osborn (Norman's son), and a misinformation of a certain sinister of villains (there is your hint). Also calling Goblin a mutant will make a comic geek cringe, however with those small complaints, the story does very well capturing the spirit, the theme and the trials and tribulations of Peter Parker. The story is not perfect, but it's not bad, it's a good story of one geeks rise and fall from grace, only to rise above and accept his destiny. If you call yourself a Spider-Man fan this is worth checking out.
Acting - The acting is great! Reeve Carney is Peter Parker, he nailed him. He balanced that geeky, emotional and the witty side of Spider-Man very well, and his performances were amazing especially in the song "Rise Above." Rebecca Faulkenberry plays Mary Jane Watson, and I thought she did great as MJ. The MJ in this play is similar to Dunst MJ in Raimi's Spider-Man, she's not really the party girl that we know, but she is the girl next door and I thought Faulkenberry capture that, very well and also her voice was great! Finally Patrick Page as the menacing Norman Osborn/Green Goblin, was another great performance. He balances that craziness, and drive to succeed with such grace, he is also the comedy relief in certain scenes which was pretty cute for the younger audiences.
Music - What is a Broadway Musical without music, and Bono and The Edge have written songs that not only capture Spider-Man, but also inspire you. With the combination of different styles of rock, orchestra and even a little techno the styles fit the world of Peter Parker very well. "Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark" music is one of my favorites. Stand out tracks like "Rise Above", "If The World Should End", "I Just Can't Walk Away (Say It Now)" are reasons alone to see these songs performed lived. The music is touching, moving and fun and it's one of those plays that bring you in with songs, webs you up, and doesn't let go. The choreography was great too, especially the fight sequence with Goblin, and Spider-Man swinging around the theater.
Final Grade B-/***out of 4 - "Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark" is entertaining, moving at times, but sometimes can get a little kiddie in certain scenes, but that's nitpicking. However it has done what it was suppose to do and that's capture the spirit, the world of Spider-Man. The theme of great power comes great responsibility is shown throughout the show. The story can be confusing to some who don't know the meaning of Arachne or Madame Web, but it's develop and integrated very well for the purpose of Peter Parker. The performances are solid all around, the choreography is good and the music you will feel inspired. This musical once rocky start, with injuries, cast changes, and constant critic bashing, has risen above it all and is now a musical you should check out. It's unlike any play you will see in a while, it's unique choreography, it's music and it's story. Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark is a marvel experience for the whole family.
