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On Broadway, 'Spider-Man's' greatest enemy is the budget

Sources close to the production say the musical's producers need to raise as much as $24 million to cover a $52-million budget.

November 06, 2009|John Horn

The slick promotional DVD sent to woo investors showcases some of Taymor's staging, aerial and web-shooting tests along with the musical's scenic (by "The Little Mermaid's" George Tsypin) and costume design ("Bram Stoker's Dracula" Oscar-winning costume designer Eiko Ishioka). If the creative team can create a format to "support the flying and fighting and stickability of Spider-Man," the DVD promises future investors, the show will "redefine Broadway."

That's assuming the musical can find its missing millions; there's one plan afoot to raise as much as $10 million by selling the income from 100 seats added to the Hilton auditorium, according to a person apprised of the idea.

No matter how appealing the "Spider-Man" musical might look on paper, it's unclear who its target ticket-buyers might be -- teenage boys and girls, the box-office drivers for the superhero movies, are hardly Broadway's lifeblood. Though the hits from movie-adapted musicals can be home runs, the margin for error is thin: For every "Hairspray" triumph, there's a "Shrek: The Musical" washout.

One interested party believes the money will fall into place before the end of the year: Edge, for all the setbacks, remains secure.

Said the guitarist: "It will happen."

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john.horn@latimes.com

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Times staff writer Geoff Boucher contributed to this report.

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