Will troubled ‘Spider-Man’ open on time?

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Reports swirled Wednesday that Broadway’s troubled “Spider-Man” musical would soon shut down for a few weeks and push back its opening for months.

Officially, producers were still saying the show is scheduled to open next week.

“We are not confirming or commenting on the recent reports” of the brief hiatus and new opening, said Rick Miramontez, spokesman for “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.” The $65 million show, he said, is still scheduled to open March 15.

Published reports also have said that director Julie Taymor may be on the way out, after struggling for months to revamp the show amid scathing reviews from some theater critics. “Spider-Man” still is selling briskly at the box office — it was the second highest-grossing show on Broadway this week, after “Wicked,” pulling in close to $1.3 million.

A new delay would be the sixth for Broadway’s most- expensive show. The latest postponement also would make it ineligible for theater’s biggest prize, a Tony Award.