I am terrible. I really am. Or rather, I am terrible at this. But I'm now done with my semester and excuses are over. Its winter break now, and I am committing to writing every day, no matter how little the post. maybe a lyric, or a musing, or a full out rant on something, i dont know, but its going to happen. Maybe then I will develop the habit.

So lets begin...

Let me start by weighing in my two-cents about the hottest topic on broadway this year...yes that's right, Spiderman. Now, let me first say that I support anything that brings people into theatres. I believe its a travesty that broadway is undervalued as much as it is in today's pop culture. Shows like Glee are helping to change that, thank god, but lets be real, that's going to go out of fashion sooner or later due to its gross overexposure, and then what? So of course producers and the wizards behind broadway seek out subject matter that is familiar to the masses. It is a trend that has been sparked by the successes of shows like Wicked and Lion King that has sparked adaptations of Legally Blonde, Shrek, and Green Day's American Idiot to name a few. Does this degrade broadway? I personally don't always think so. Wicked is my absolute favorite, I loved Legally Blonde, I do think some things are improved by adding a little singing and dancing. However, I do wish that there was more magic on broadway with shows like Next to Normal, ingenious, innovative, inspiring, and electrifying are all words that immediately spring to mind when I think back to that show. Most importantly, it was something that had never been done before. But there lies the risk. Would you want to put your money down on something that you don't know if people will respond to, or something that people already love? That is the million dollar question of broadway today, I suppose.

So of course, a comic book hero that little boys everywhere have known and loved for years, which already turned into wildly popular movie trilogy (which, I might add only 1/3 was a good movie) would be just right to turn into a musical, right? Mmmmmmmm maybe not? I already stated that I do not necessarily mind the use of popular movies/books/etc as source material for new broadway shows, but, I will be honest, the news of a Spiderman musical got a nice big eye-roll from yours truly. I'm sorry, I just thought it was a ridiculous idea, and I still do. It would be nice to be proven wrong. I thought bipolar depression was a poor subject for a musical and Next to Normal is the most beautiful piece of theatre I have ever seen. But I will remain skeptical. Turns out, the decision to create a musical about a comic book character was just the first of countless questionable decisions when it comes to this particular theatrical venture. I could go into all of them specifically, but I don't want to write a book, (which I am quite certain a book about all of the Spiderman Drama WILL happen one day)

So cut to however long its been to more news breaking today that the opening is delayed once again. After a struggle through previews with technical stops, injured actors, and critical backlash, I guess the powers that be felt it necessary. I guess it is nice that they will hopefully fixing all that is wrong, but what I wonder is, is it even fixable? From what I have read over at my favorite bedtime reading-the BroadwayWorld.com message boards, there isn't much to be celebrated. Over and over I have read "flying is cool, book is confusing/nonexistant/terrible, songs are whatever, and that the second act is awful" Apparently there's some song about shoes, which I really never would have guessed in a comic book musical but, whatever! But here is my main issue. I know theatre is a long, arduous, and delicate process. It takes a long time to get things right. But with 65 million dollars and probably counting, and what seems like too many delays to recall, at what point is that no longer an excuse? I just really think it is time to say, enough is enough. Rumors had been mentioned that the latest opening date was the bottom line for Marvel, but with today's news, obviously that isn't the case. I really think that, and I am sure/hope will be the case, the new February projected opening date is the last chance. One last chance at tweaking and that is it. Its time to face the music. From the sounds of it, you made a terrible show, you cant run from it forever. Either put it on or pull the plug. I do understand that with 65 mil on the line, there is immense pressure to make it perfect. I get that. I don't want to see this thing fail. Ok, a part of me does, just because I think the idea of it being Spiderman is so stupid. but that is the devil on my shoulder. the angel on my shoulder wants it to be a success to get people to the theatre. Because the truth is, if people enjoy Spiderman, there will be a handful of kids who discover that Broadway is a magical place, and the future shows like Next to Normal will stand a chance. So, for me, its a win win. If Spiderman fails, I get the satisfaction that my initial skepticism was right, for whatever thats worth, and if it flies, well then I will be happy that Broadway is thriving.

Thoughts?