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Song of Spider-Man

The Inside Story of the Most Controversial Musical in Broadway History

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Song of Spider-Man

By: Glen Berger
Narrated by: Glen Berger
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About this listen

 “One of the best literary works of this year” (Miami Herald-Tribune): The true story of a theatrical dream—or nightmare—come true…the making of the Spider-Man musical.

As you might imagine, writing a Broadway musical has its challenges. But it turns out there are challenges one can’t begin to imagine when collaborating with two rock legends and a superstar director to stage the biggest, most expensive production in theater history. Renowned director Julie Taymor picked playwright Glen Berger to cowrite the book for a $25 million Spider-Man musical. Together—along with U2’s Bono and Edge—they would shape a work that was technically daring and emotionally profound, with a story fueled by the hero’s quest for love…and the villains’ quest for revenge. Or at least, that’s what they’d hoped for.

But when charismatic producer Tony Adams died suddenly, the show began to lose its footing. Soon the budget was ballooning, financing was evaporating, and producers were jumping ship or getting demoted. And then came the injuries. And then came word-of-mouth about the show itself. What followed was a pageant of foul-ups, falling-outs, ever-more harrowing mishaps, and a whole lot of malfunctioning spider legs. This “circus-rock-and-roll-drama,” with its $65 million price tag, had become more of a spectacle than its creators ever wished for. During the show’s unprecedented seven months of previews, the company’s struggles to reach opening night inspired breathless tabloid coverage and garnered international notoriety.

Through it all, Berger observed the chaos with his signature mix of big ambition and self-deprecating humor. Entertainment & Performing Arts Music Theatre Entertainment Superhero Fantasy Emotionally Gripping Witty Celebrity

Critic Reviews

"Berger gives his raw, personal account of his time writing the script with Julie Taymor of the epically troubled musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. The play, which closed in January 2014, may be Broadway ancient history, but this memoir still cuts to the bone, partly because Berger is so candid about the artistic process behind the runaway-train production. There’s so much insecurity, so much backstabbing, so much back-channeling, I’m almost surprised that Hulu hasn’t adapted it into a docudrama." (Marshall Heyman)
All stars
Most relevant
Largely self-exonerating, whilst also an entertaining listen. Note to self: No one sets out to make an unsuccessful show. Many heart-rending actions of creatives and their childlike scheming. Consistently undermining their leader, Julie Taymor - I’d read her book, if she ever wrote one.

‘Traitor’ or ‘Toadie’

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Glen Berger’s tale of the machinations behind a Broadway show make you marvel that Spiderman actually went on at all. Berger’s gossip style of delivery is well suited to this saga of ambition, hubris and shattered dreams.

Interesting behind-the-scenes tell all.

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