Is Spidey Cursed?

Many observers already supposed that something was wrong with the epic Spiderman-themed pop-rock-3D-musical-opera-circus as numerous delays led to an inauspicious start for the 'most expensive show in Broadway history.' Indeed after the fourth relatively serious on-set injury occured last night, those involved might not be blamed for worrying that the show is cursed. However, in addition to the more mysterious and supernatural problems facing the production, there are some very real monetary concerns as well as cost overruns have led some to predict that even strong sales numbers will not be enough to ensure that investors get their money back.

Producers will certainly hope these predictions fall short as the $65 million show heads into full schedule. However, at an estimated $1 million per week running cost, it will take some time before producers, including U2's Bono and The Edge, make back their investments under even the most optimistic projections. At least one commentator in Canada thinks that 'even the most optimistic projections' might be a pipe dream, as The Globe and Mail's J. Kelly Nestruck noted, 'Frankly, the odds are that Spider-Man will be a financial fiasco that will make The Lord of the Rings look like a fringe-festival flop.'

It is tough to predict what will come of this situation, but at least a few other epic Broadway shows, including The Lion King, have turned substantial profits (albeit after running for a number of years) leading to continued optimism by those involved. In this spirit, Blawgconomics wishes a 'break a leg' to everyone involved in Spiderman...though maybe not literally; enough of that already seems to have happened.