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Actor's 2-Story Plunge Halts Spider-Man Play

Flying stunt double's harness snaps in front of horrified audience

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 21, 2010 2:23 AM CST

(Newser) – Broadway's problem-plagued Spider-Man production was halted near the end of the show last night when a stunt double's flying harness snapped, dropping him two stories into a stage pit, according to witnesses The audience sat, horrified, as the empty harness swayed over their heads and a woman—likely lead actress Natalie Mendoza—began sobbing and screaming: "Call 911." Miraculously, the 31-year-old stuntman may not be seriously injured. "All signs were good as he was taken to the hospital," said a spokesman for the $65 million musical production, Turn Off the Dark, which is in previews.

The rep said the performer fell about 10 feet, but audience members said it could have been as much as 30 feet, reports the New York Daily News. It was the third accident since previews started last month. An actor broke both wrists and another broke his foot doing a slingshot flying technique across the stage, and Mendoza got a concussion early this month when a rope struck her in the head. The play's opening has been delayed until February.

The Spiderman balloon lies on the ground before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York last month.
The Spiderman balloon lies on the ground before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York last month.   (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 5 comments
Count-Spatula
Dec 21, 2010 5:40 AM CST
Could anyone tell me who is the audience for a Spiderman musical?
Mr_Joshua
Dec 21, 2010 2:46 AM CST
Given the issues that have plagued this production, I am not sure that Spiderman should ever have been tried as a Broadway production. But its cost 65 million so far so I can't see them backing out. Any more serious injuries though and the govt department that regulates health in the workplace will come in and shut it down for good. And you can call me..............The Green Lantern
 

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