U2's "Spider-Man" Musical Holding Open Casting Calls, Seeks Rockers

As the February 2010 debut of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark — the Broadway musical featuring the music and lyrics of U2's Bono and the Edge — draws nearer, the production has announced the first six dates of open casting calls. Since the show isn't exactly Les Miserables, producers are looking for singers with a rock & roll background to tackle the biggest roles. As Rock Daily previously reported, previews for the musical will begin January 16th, 2010 at New York's Hilton Theatre.

According to a press release, casting agents are "seeking principals and understudies for the roles of 'Peter Parker,' 'Mary Jane,' and 'Female Lead Villian.' The production is looking for performers with dynamic rock/pop voices including those with experience in bands and as solo performers. Regardless of experience, anyone who thinks they might be qualified is encouraged to audition." Guess those rumors of Across the Universe leads Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood starring as Parker and Mary Jane were a bit premature. That film's director, Julie Taymor, is also directing the Spider-Man musical.

For the Lead Female Villain role, producers are searching for "an amazing rock voice. Think Sinead O'Connor with a Middle Eastern/Bulgarian/Greek twist. Foreign accents are great." Perhaps the male villains have already been confirmed. While there's likely zero percent of this happening, it'd be hilarious to see Bono and his trademark sunglasses as a musical Dr. Octopus.

The open casting calls start April 9th in Orlando, Florida, so you only have six days to raid the costume shop and pick up a spandex outfit for your audition:

Orlando, FL
Thursday, April 9

New York, NY
Monday, April 13

Los Angeles, CA
Saturday, April 18

Seattle, WA
Monday, April 20

Chicago, IL
Thursday, May 7

Austin, TX
Wednesday, May 27

Related Stories:

• U2 Talk "Horizon" Follow Up, Spider-Man Musical in Rolling Stone Cover Story
• U2 "Spider-Man" Musical Swinging Onto Broadway February 2010
• Green Day's "American Idiot" Musical To Debut September '09

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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