Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark composer, U2's Bono, paid his first visit to the show on January 4 and the rocker gave Spidey a thumbs-up, according to the musical’s star Jennifer Damiano. “He had a great time and was very positive about the show,” Damiano, who plays Spider-Man's gal pal Mary Jane Watson, told Broadway.com.
Bono and co-composer The Edge had been on tour with U2 and were unable to attend the show’s first previews, when it began performances November 28 at the Foxwoods Theatre. “[Bono] told us to never underestimate the magnificence of what we’re doing and that’s really special to hear from him,” Damiano said. “He’s the coolest and just so correct about everything. When he [offers a suggestion] you always just say, ‘Wow, you’re so right.’ Every song they’ve written is so different, but they all make sense as a unit when you put them together,” she said of the musical’s original rock score.
So does the Tony-nominated actress, known for her Broadway performances in Next to Normal and Spring Awakening, ever freak out when she’s in the presence of the U2 rockers? “I do my best to keep my cool. They’re focused on the music in the show just like I’m focused on my own role, and we all have to come together to make this show incredible. But when I actually step outside of myself for a minute and see who I’m discussing these songs and scenes with, it kind of blows my mind! At the end of the day I wouldn’t want to be surrounded by any other people. You couldn’t ask for a cooler experience.”
Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark is set to open on February 7. Check back with Broadway.com for an in-depth interview with Damiano on January 10.