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rpych2's review against another edition
4.0
I’m so glad this book exists, because I saw the show in previews way back when and I was half convinced it was a fever dream at this point in my life. But it’s also very clear that everyone involved with this show (including the author) was an egomaniac who had no clue about what a Spider-Man story should entail. Instead of creating a spectacle with classic characters, they for some reason added in a random made up Greek mythology character that was almost more important than Green Goblin or even Peter Parker.
But I’m not reviewing the show, because that would be 0 stars, so the book is a 4.
But I’m not reviewing the show, because that would be 0 stars, so the book is a 4.
mylemonlove's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
3.75
katewithtea's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a wild ride. As a theatre professional, I imagine a book like this would be career ending but after Spiderman, I'm sure Berger doesn't mind. A cautionary tale all producers should add to the must read list.
abbywdan's review against another edition
3.0
As an industry person, this was fascinating. As a U2 fan, this was fascinating. And as a reader, it was... okay. It's not like anyone who'd read this doesn't know how the story ends, though it's interesting to see how the story happened, from Berger's perspective. But as I often say, "there's no such thing as a Broadway emergency." Which is to say, none of this drama should have happened in the first place. But it did, and it makes a good story.
erinkayata's review against another edition
4.0
I loooved the Spiderman soundtrack in my early college days, so this was a glimpse into a show I’m frankly sad I missed. But beyond that, it went behind the scenes of a cultural phenomenon often reduced to a punchline and offered a well written (if at times convoluted) look at where it went wrong. The descriptions of the accidents and the tension with Taymor really had me gasping. Good read for anyone interested in the behind the scenes of the theater!
kchiappone's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes whiny, sometimes unclear. There's no doubt that Berger is a strong writer, but for someone who has not studied literature or theater as extensively as he, some of the references were lost on me. This is probably more my fault than his though.
The pacing of the book changes toward the end when the musical finally starts to come together. The narrative before this part is so entertaining because of all of the disasters, that when it finally comes together, it's not very climactic.
The pacing of the book changes toward the end when the musical finally starts to come together. The narrative before this part is so entertaining because of all of the disasters, that when it finally comes together, it's not very climactic.
loonyboi's review against another edition
4.0
An earnest, first hand recounting of the chaos surrounding the creation of a Broadway disaster. Which, in the author's telling, was less a disaster, and more a sincere, if somewhat misguided, attempt to create art. I've worked with enough creative geniuses to recognize a lot of the behaviors here. Needless to say, I could relate.
mirandasagerhode's review against another edition
4.0
As an active working member of the performing arts industry, I found it extremely difficult to put this book down.
The first show I ever saw on Broadway WAS the rewritten "Plan X" and I couldn't believe what Turn Off The Dark was before it had gotten to that point. Reading what Glen's experience was, and how something that could have been so great going so, SO wrong was mesmerizing.
I really enjoyed the constant reference to the lesson "there's always a victim, don't be the victim" throughout the book and how the takeaway changed around what was happening with the production. It's something I will likely re-read and highlight to see what I can learn and apply to my own experience in the industry.
I recommended this book to two of my coworkers and they finished at a similar pace.
The first show I ever saw on Broadway WAS the rewritten "Plan X" and I couldn't believe what Turn Off The Dark was before it had gotten to that point. Reading what Glen's experience was, and how something that could have been so great going so, SO wrong was mesmerizing.
I really enjoyed the constant reference to the lesson "there's always a victim, don't be the victim" throughout the book and how the takeaway changed around what was happening with the production. It's something I will likely re-read and highlight to see what I can learn and apply to my own experience in the industry.
I recommended this book to two of my coworkers and they finished at a similar pace.
sarahstukan's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars rounded up - a gem of a book about a dumpster fire of a production.