Spider Man on Broadway: Separating Fact from Fiction by Roger Friedman

Reading the reports from Sunday night's first preview of Spider Man, as well as comments on this page, I thought it was time to clear some things up.

SOURCE: Huffington Post at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Exclusive: Julie Taymor Will Remain “Spider Man” Director and Co-Author by Roger Friedman

It does seem that Julie Taymor will stick to her original credits in “Spider Man.” Despite last week’s wild move to oust Taymor from the show she created, co-wrote and dire…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Mary J. Blige Joins Tom Cruise for “Rock of Ages” by Roger Friedman

“Rock of Ages,” the Broadway musical about pop and rock music from the 1980s, is getting a surprise addition to its cast. Of course, you’ve read about Tom Cruise taking the…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

My (Everyone’s) Dear Friend, Elaine Kaufman, 81 Years Young by Roger Friedman

The hardest thing to report is the death of a friend. For more than 20 years, Elaine Kaufman has played such an important part in my life. Birthday parties, New Year’s Eve, just hangin…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Spider Man Musical: Told Not To, the Critics Review it Anyway by Roger Friedman

The New York Times, trade papers Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, as well as USA Today and Bloomberg News, all disregarded the set opening date of “Spider Man: Turn off the DarkR…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Surprise! “Spider Man” Has Improved And Has A Cool Ending by Roger Friedman

Well, well. “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” has actually improved. I saw it on Friday night, and there were no glitches or stops of any kind. The flying and all the special effec…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

“Spider Man”: Bono and The Edge Will Miss Much of the Overhaul by Roger Friedman

It’s hard to be international rock stars. You barely have time to clean your sunglasses. In the case of Bono and The Edge, they committed to “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark”…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Pierce Brosnan, Kelsey Grammer Will Join Sarah Jessica Parker Film by Roger Friedman

Exclusive: Sarah Jessica Parker‘s next feature film is shaping up nicely. SJP starts shooting “I Don’t Know How She Does It” in mid January, with Douglas Mc...

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

“Bloody Andrew Jackson” Next Broadway Show Set to Close by Roger Friedman

We can add “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” to the list of Broadway shows posting closing notices. Last night the cast of the clever musical was told that the show — which be…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Nicole Kidman May Get James Franco as Broadway Co-Star by Roger Friedman

Okay. A day after it was announced that today’s newly minted Indie Spirit nominee and probable Oscar nominee James Franco is co-hosting the Oscars, here’s the latest from the act…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Kidman-Franco “Sweet Bird” on Broadway: Scooped Here First by Roger Friedman

Yes, James Franco and Nicole Kidman are headed to Broadway this fall for Tennessee Williams’s “Sweet Bird of Youth.” I told you that Franco was joining Kidman back on Novem…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Unthinkable: Frank Rich Leaves the New York Times by Roger Friedman

The unthinkable has happened: after 33 years, Frank Rich is leaving the New York Times. And it’s for New York Magazine, where Adam Moss has successfully led him. Rich was theater criti…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Demi Moore, Glenn Close Daughters Joining Off Broadway Hit by Roger Friedman

What year is it? 2011? I remember when Glenn Close‘s daughter Annie was a baby. Now she’s following in her mom’s hallowed footsteps and joining the cast of Nora Ephron̵…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Jimmy Fallon Gets to Sing with Paul McCartney by Roger Friedman

Last night, Jimmy Fallon got to sing with another Beatle. He had Ringo Starr on this summer, and now Paul McCartney. Since McCartney is going to be on “Saturday Night Live” this …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Six Degrees Between Meryl Streep and Abraham Lincoln by Roger Friedman

Actually, there are fewer than three degrees between Meryl Streep and Abraham Lincoln. Streep’s son-in-law to be, Benjamin Walker, signing on to play “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hu…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Spider Man on Broadway Chugs Along with Talented “B” Team by Roger Friedman

Sunday’s matinee of “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” produced no injuries and only one short stop, in the first act. Otherwise, the well publicized previews of this ambitiou…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Snow Snow Snow in Manhattan: It’s 10PM, Do You Know Where the Snow Plows Are? by Roger Friedman

It’s 10:45pm. I’ve just returned to Greenwich Village from 57th St. and Seventh Avenue. And guess what? Not one street is plowed. My cab driver, a great guy, went very slowly dow…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Spider Man On Broadway Swings As Top Money Maker by Roger Friedman

“Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” turns on the money. Last week, “Spider Man”–still in previews–was the number 1 grossing show on Broadway. The $65 million …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Everyone Goes to Elaine’s, Even the Governor, for a Toast by Roger Friedman

Last night, everyone actually did go to Elaine’s. By 10pm, the entire restaurant on Second Avenue between 88th and 89th Streets was completely full, swollen with insiders, outsiders, r…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Mary J. Blige Joins Tom Cruise for “Rock of Ages” by Roger Friedman

“Rock of Ages,” the Broadway musical about pop and rock music from the 1980s, is getting a surprise addition to its cast. Of course, you’ve read about Tom Cruise taking the…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Jane Fonda: Cher, Anjelica, Colin Farrell Toast Her LA Play Premiere by Roger Friedman

Word is that “West Side Story” director Arthur Laurents-who’s yes, 93 years old, just sent her his new play to star in on Broadway. But Fonda-who’s reading scripts fo…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

Broadway Spider Man: Show May Avoid Tony Awards, Open in June by Roger Friedman

That March 15th opening for “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark”? It’s now called a “Hope-ening.” It will not be the official opening night, according to sources. On…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

“Spider Man” on Bway Postpones Again, til March 15th: Beware the Ides of March? by Roger Friedman

“Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” won’t officially open until March 15th, set back from February 7th. And January 11th. And December 21st. At least. Who can remember? The wor…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

“Spider Man” Will Likely Shut Down for Re-tooling; Taymor Sidelined by Producers by Roger Friedman

So: Julie Taymor has been sidelined by the producers of “Spider Man.” Ousted? Yes. Gone altogether? Not quite. “Spider Man” remains her show, no matter what they do t…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑

“Spider Man” Civil War: Negotiating Taymor Exit and Saving Troubled Musical by Roger Friedman

Two hours ago, a lead investor for “Spider Man: Turn off the Dark” told me: “We want Julie Taymor to stay.” He said that it was his opinion that it would be good for …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 5:58pm on May 25, 2015☆⚑