Today's Pick

"Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" star Reeve Carney was already a film actor and singer-songwriter when he took on the stage role of Peter Parker in the Broadway musical. Now the 28-year-old has just released video features U2's Bono and The Edge for "Rise Above 1," the lead single from the spider-ific Broadway production soundtrack, and while the video itself is not as mind-blowing as the trailer for the new upcoming big screen adaptation, we give U2 and the "Spider-Man" cast brownie points for trying to keep this musical afloat and in the press.
Directed by Aaron Platt and Joseph Toma and shot in New York City, the video gives fans a peek into the making of the Broadway musical, as Carney also is seen rehearsing with cast members and flying from the rafters of the Foxwoods Theatre. As expected, Carney and "Spider-Man" composers Bono share vocals with the Edge on guitar, while we get splices of behind-the-scenes footage of dance rehearsals, fighting scenes, and studio appearances mixed in with skyscraper shots and what appears to be a igloo makeshift with punctured holes emitting sunlight. The video was a bit sentimental, but that's about it.
With music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge and a book by Glen Berger, Julie Taymor and Glen Berger, the Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" is inspired by over 40 years of Marvel comic books. It follows the story of teenager Peter Parker (Carney), 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, however, that with great power comes great responsibility as villains put both his physical strength and strength of character to the test.
One of the most striking things about "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," is the visual punch it packs into every corner of the stage. Critics have written about the show's "stunning costumes" and called it a hybrid of a circus, pop concert and video game. The $75-million musical, which holds the record as one of the most ambitious projects - both in cost and creativity - ever to arrive on Broadway, is still hanging in there, with box office grosses from last week totaling about $1.8 million. The Broadway musical got a music video, which you can admit doesn't ever really happen these days. Maybe they will set a new trend?