The Broadway mega-production Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark will resume previews with a retooled show this week, according to the New York Times. The show was shut down for three weeks to retool after withering reviews, numerous production problems, injuries, and packed houses for what is already the longest preview run in Broadway history. 

 

The new version has a rewritten script that expands the roles for Aunt May, Uncle Ben, and Mary Jane, while reducing the importance of new character Arachne. Five flying sequences and new and rewritten songs have been added, according to the report.

 

All this is under the direction of Phillip William McKinley, who replaced Julie Taymor in March (see “Taymor Out as ‘Spider-Man’ Director”). 

 

The budget for the show is now $70 million, twice as much as the second most expensive show in Broadway history.