Spider-Man Actor Plunges 30 Feet At Show

MYFOXNY.COM - The Broadway musical 'Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark' was temporarily shut down after aerialist Christopher Tierney, 31, fell 30-feet during a preview performance at the Foxwoods Theatre.

Tierney remained in serious condition Tuesday at Bellevue Hospital.  Tierney suffered multiple broken ribs and substantial bleeding, but avoided catastrophic neck or spine injuries, BroadwayWorld.com said, citing multiple sources. The hospital spokesman declined to confirm or deny any specific injuries

New York State safety inspectors were at the production on Tuesday.

"OSHA, Actors Equity and the New York State Department of Labor have met with the Spider-Man company today to discuss additional safety protocols. It was agreed that these measures would be enacted immediately,"  show spokesman Rick Miramontez said in a statement.

Wednesday's matinee was being postponed but the production was expected to continue all performaces starting Wednesday night.

Rescue personnel rushed to the theatre at around 10:45 p.m. on Monday.  The fall happened approximately seven minutes before the end of the show.

Video phone footage of the incident shows a cable snapping followed by the stuntman falling into the pit in front of the stage.   Tierney performs many of the stunts for Reeve Carney, the lead actor in the production.

"We see Spider-Man stumble over the ledge. You heard a scream, silence and then someone screamed ‘someone call 911.' We immediately understood that something was wrong. Everybody was very concerned for the actor. Hopefully, he recovers soon," Marianna Leung, an audience member, told Good Day New York on Tuesday .

About two minutes later the show was cancelled.

"It was a spectacular show up to that point," added Leung.

The scene taking place had Spider-Man rescuing Mary Jane, as she dangles from a rope attached to a bridge.  The actor apparently fell off of the bridge.

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Leung sent video (above) of the scene outside the theater.

Leung said, "The shocked audience slowly exited the theater. Everyone was concerned for the actor, many stayed to catch a glimpse of Spiderman to see if he was okay. He was carried out to the ambulance still in costume."

Rick Miramontez, a representative for the show issued a statement saying, "An actor sustained an injury at tonight's performance of Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark. He fell several feet from a platform approximately seven minutes before the end of the performance, and the show was stopped. All signs were good as he was taken to the hospital for observation. We will have more news shortly.."

It's the fourth time an actor has been hurt in connection with the most expensive show in Broadway history.

The show's official launch has been pushed back to February because of continuing problems with the production.

Natalie Mendoza, who plays Arachne, was hit on the head by a rope at the first preview.  The actress was diagnosed with a concussion and was out of the show for a week.

Kevin Aubin, an aerialist, broke both his wrists in November during a presentation for ticket agents. In a separate incident while rehearsing the show, another actor broke his foot.

The show's producers were not immediately available for comment.

Directed by Julie Taymor and featuring new music and lyrics by U2's Bono and The Edge, the show follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down when he's bitten by a genetically altered spider and wakes up the next morning clinging to his bedroom ceiling. This bullied science-geek suddenly endowed with incredible powers soon learns that with great power comes great responsibility as villains put both his physical strength and strength of character to the test.