“Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” cast member T.V. Carpio will take over the lead role of the villainous spider-woman Arachne in the troubled Broadway musical, producer Michael Cohl announced Tuesday.
Carpio, who also appeard in "Spider-Man" director Julie Taymor's 2007 film "Across the Universe," will replace Natalie Mendoza, who left last week. She is recovering from a concussion she suffered in a preview in November when a rope hit her backstage.
The casting was a second bit of good news for the musical, which also earned the third-best box office during the week of the New Year's holiday. The $65 million production, the most expensive ever, earned $1.88 million. "Wicked" led with a record-breaking $2.23 million and Taymor's "The Lion King" earned $1.99 million.
"Spider-Man," which is in previews and officially opens Feb. 7, has suffered postponements and delays because of the injuries of four performers. Aerialist Chris Tierney, who suffered a skull fracture, broken ribs, and three cracked vertebrae, described the fall in an interview with New York's WCBS-TV on Monday.
Carpio was previously cast as Miss Arrow, one of a four-person Geek Chorus that narrated parts of the show. Carpio played Arachne at several previews last month. She also played Arachne in several preview performances.
“T.V. is a superb singer and actress whom I’ve loved since we worked together on ‘Across the Universe,’” Taymor said.
Carpio debuted on Broadway in 2006 as a member of the ensemble in “Rent.”
Alice Lee, part of the “Spring Awakening” ensemble, will replace Carpio as Miss Arrow.
Mendoza’s understudy, America Olivo, who also played Arachne in several previes, will now become Carpio's understudy.
Watch part of Tieney's interview:
