After being plagued by countless rewrites, behind-the-scenes reshufflings, actor injuries and a shit-ton of controversy, the new musical SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark FINALLY opened at Broadway’s Foxwoods Theatre on June 14th. While the reviews have been mixed, the powers that be are already trying to make up some of the debt incurred in bringing this ginormous soon-to-be flop to life. First stop? The obligatory soundtrack album, of course.
Music From SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark was released June 14th (the same date as it’s Broadway premiere) on Interscope Records, including 14 new songs co-written by Bono and The Edge and produced by massive ROCK producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band). Songs are performed by the shows talented cast, including Reeve Carney (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Jennifer Damiano (Mary Jane), T.V. Carpio (Arachne), Patrick Page (Green Goblin) as well as Bono and The Edge – both of whom make appearances on the album. The album is accompanied brilliantly by the production’s twenty-member orchestra.
The soundtrack album’s first single, “Rise Above 1” available now on iTunes, is a surprisingly solid rock song. While I’m not imagining this winning a TONY or a GRAMMY, it’s perfectly pleasant. I think I was expecting it to sound totally Broadway and it doesn’t at all. “Rise Above 1” is very radio friendly. While it might be too rock for the ‘Top 40’ format, I can totally see rock radio embracing this song. The single was produced by Alex Da Kid (Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Rihanna) and features Spidey himself, lead actor, Reeve Carney backed by Bono and The Edge.
Part of the reason why I think “Rise Above 1” sounds so commercial is because of it’s vocalist. 28-year singer/songwriter and actor is less familiar with Broadway than he is with rock music…in fact, Carney has a rock band called…erm…Carney. The band, which features Carney on lead vocals and guitar also features Zane Carney on guitar, Jon Epcar on drums and Aiden Moore on bass. Interestingly enough, Reeve’s band mates all play in the orchestra for the show. Nice to see such supportive friends! Check out this live performance of the song from this year’s American Idol Season 10 finale, courtesy of VEVO and listen to the soundtrack single version below.
Not too bad, right? The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #74, peaking at #54 on the Digital Singles Chart and #25 on the Rock Digital Songs Chart. Not too shabby, although the “featuring Bono” likely deserves much of the credit. In the meantime, check out this live performance from the TONY AWARDS, featuring Spidey and Mary Jane singing a ballad from the soundtrack. Download “Rise Above 1” on iTunes HERE. You can also buy the album on iTunes HERE or on Amazon HERE. Now below the cut you can check out more info on SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, per the press release, as well as the soundtrack tracklisting. If anyone has seen the show, feel free to comment with your thoughts. I’m kind of left wanting more from what I’ve heard (and read) so far but I can be persuaded.
SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, the most ambitious production ever undertaken on Broadway, is currently in previews at the Foxwoods Theatre on West 43rd Street. Lead producers Michael Cohl and Jeremiah J. Harris recently announced that Philip William McKinley, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, and Chase Brock have joined the creative team to help implement new staging, assist with book rewrites, and create additional choreography, respectively. McKinley has vast experience directing technically complex productions on Broadway and beyond. Aguirre-Sacasa is an acclaimed playwright, screenwriter (Big Love) and a noted writer of Spider-Man comic books. Brock is an innovative choreographer experienced with large Broadway shows.
Inspired by over 40 years of Marvel comic books, SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down when he’s bitten by a genetically altered spider and wakes up the next morning clinging to his bedroom ceiling. This bullied science-geek suddenly endowed with incredible powers soon learns, however, that with great power comes great responsibility as villains put both his physical strength and strength of character to the test.
The show features direction by Tony® Award-winner Julie Taymor (The Tempest, Across The Universe, The Lion King), music and lyrics by 22-time Grammy® Award-winners Bono and The Edge, and a book co-written by Taymor, Glen Berger (Underneath The Lintel) and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.
Tracklisting:
1. NY Debut (Instrumental) – Original Cast
2. Boy Falls From The Sky – Reeve Carney
3. Rise Above 1 – Reeve Carney
4. Picture This – Bono And The Edge
5. I Just Can’t Walk Away (Say It Now) – Reeve Carney
6. Bouncing Off The Walls – Reeve Carney
7. Pull The Trigger – Patrick Page
8. No More – Reeve Carney
9. DIY World – Patrick Page
10. If The World Should End – Jennifer Damiano
11. Sinistereo – The Edge
12. A Freak Like Me Needs Company – Patrick Page
13. Rise Above 2 – Reeve Carney
14. Turn Off The Dark – T.V. Carpio