'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark' Actress Leaves Show

By Sarah Crow Posted Dec 28th 2010 02:00PM

After a series of on-set injuries and pushed back production dates, actress Natalie Mendoza has decided to walk away from her role as villainess Arachne in Broadway's 'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.'

The role, created by the show's director, Julie Taymor, was Mendoza's first part on Broadway.

The New York Times reports that the 30-year-old actress, who has been on vocal rest for over a week, will formally announce her resignation in the next few days. Lawyers and reps for the show are reportedly drawing up the terms of the actress' exit from the production in addition to planning the announcement of her departure.

The actress, who suffered a concussion during the show's first preview, was allegedly disturbed by events on the accident-plagued set.

Mendoza's close friend, actor/stuntman Christopher Tierney, was seriously injured in a fall during a matinee performance of the show on December 20th. He is currently recovering from injuries sustained during the fall, including a skull fracture, fractured vertebrae, and broken ribs, at Bellevue Hospital. Following the accident, Mendoza tweeted, "Please pray with me for my friend Chris, my superhero who quietly inspires me everyday with his spirit. A light in my heart went dim tonight."

The actress hinted at having some upcoming free time on her Twitter, saying, "Can feel a trip to India coming on & visiting my magic little orphanage Ramana's Garden in Rishikesh. Raising funds as we speak. Be the change."

Neither Mendoza nor reps for the production have yet confirmed her departure.

Tags: Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark

Comments

(14)

Tuesday 28 December

By The bbl is LIVE!

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Why don't they just stick a fork in this show already?

Wednesday 29 December

By Al Schrader

Vote down Vote up Report this

This is very similar to what happened with Transformers III.
I told my casting agent to forget it and those were Paramount paychecks which don't bounce...Alfred-

By testingtobefore

I don't blame her. I thought this show sounded like a stupid idea before it started injuring people left and right and costing unbelievable sums of money.

By rdora30

Ms. Natalie Mendoza get out while you still have a chance! Because the way this production is going, if Spiderman is getting hurt, only the Lord knows what will happen to the rest of the characters!

By Nico Toscani

When a nobody actress quits the show, it's time to pack it up.

By ToniBella

I thought the show should've wrapped a while ago. It's plagued with accidents and they are ignoring the signs to pack it up. She is smart. Let them sue her for breach of contract if they need to but I'm sure there is a clause in there deeming her in the right for leaving.

By joejteacher951

SPIDERMAN WOULDNT QUIT! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SPIDER WEB STUFF THAT SUPPOSE TO STICK TO THE BUILDING AND HELP YOU OUT? QUIT!

By Rhonda

job safety is number 1 , if ya dont have that , you have nothing. wish her all the best in the days going forward , its a learning experience .......

By page

I think there was only one accident during the entire run of Peter Pan years ago. Mary Martin hit a back wall and broke her arm or wrist. When she came back to work the stage hands had hung a sign that read "Mary Martin slapped here" on the wall where she hit.

By deserthome17

Nothing is worth a life of pain, or death.

By wickedlilxtalena

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

One day this director is going to realize that this show is NOT going to happen. He's going to be in debt from all the medical bills he's had to pay for his actors and actresses of his production. It's just a sad shame many people will be injured before this realization happens.

By Victor

Superman in all phases seems to be jinxed Look what happened to Chris

By joan

Cannot blame the actress for quitting. Spiderman is not stage material. Too many extremely hard stunts and not enough room. I believe the show would have folded quickly. Spiderman is definitely for the big screen only.....

By Adam

Apparently it doesn't matter to the producers as long as it's only the show's actors and stuntpeople who are getting hurt. I bet the only thing that would shut this show down for good is if someone fell onto an audience member. While it's nice that "Spider-Man" is a rare original show with all-new music on Broadway instead of yet another "jukebox musical" or revival of something several decades old, they HAVE to make sure that it's safe for everyone involved. Scale back some of the more dangerous stunts, or bring in people with circus experience! I don't blame the actress for leaving, the way things currently are going!

Page 1 of 1