Broadway Critics Run with Tough Spider-Man Reviews

Tuesday, 08 February 2011 | by Pat's Picks

With “previews” dragging on for months, newspaper theater critics have broken today with their tradition of waiting until opening night to publish their reviews of the troubled Spider-Man musical. Apparently, there was consensus reached that all the New York dailies would print reviews today. At best, the reviews find a few redeeming qualities in the show. But all of them highlight problems that should have been worked out without the presence of paying audiences in the theater.

New York Times / Ben Brantley: “... letting theatergoers in on the national joke this problem-plagued show has become helps make them believe they have a reason to be there.”

New York Daily News / Joe Dziemianowicz: “A big production going in too many directions.”

New York Post / Elisabeth Vincentelli: “... an inconsistent, maddening show that’s equal parts exciting and atrocious.”

Newsday / Linda Winer: “As of Saturday night, nothing has been fixed.” (No link to Newsday because their website is behind a wall.)

Even the Washington Post got in the action. Said critic Peter Marks: “the tale doesn’t so much unfold as ooze out.”

Well, there you have it—after months of speculation, a so-so showing. Will the middling reviews stop you from going? Or does the off-chance of seeing an accident from the mezzanine outweigh them? Let us know in the comments.