The Broadway musical version of “Spider-Man” just keeps finding trouble.
First it was lack of funding that led to its near cancellation. Now, its the wiring used to make certain actors fly during the show that’s come under scrutiny.
Actor Kevin Aubin broke both wrists when he was launched from back stage during a rehearsal for the show. The incident has brought an investigation into the wiring used for the flying and swinging effects the show will use by the New York State Department of Labor
The investigation has been in the works for months, The New York Times reports, but news of the visit comes two weeks after actor Kevin Aubin broke both his wrists after being launched from the back of the stage like a slingshot.
Spider-Man is not legally allowed to begin preview performances on Nov. 14 until state inspectors sign off on the special effects, the department spokesman, Leo Rosales, told the Times. It usually takes a few days to rule.
“The flying in this musical is unprecedented for Broadway, and we’re going to urge the producers to make sure everything is as safe as possible,” Rosales said.
The NYS Department of Labor isn’t the only organization watching the $60 million production, the most expensive in Broadway’s history.
“When a show is preparing to debut a lot of technology, especially flying over stage and audiences, we keep a close eye,” Maria Somma, Actors’ Equity spokeswoman, told the Times. Somma says Actors’ Equity officials already notified the production team of the unsafe practice of having actors practicing different flying stunts in close proximity, and the rehearsal schedule was shifted.
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