Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark officially opened at Broadway’s Foxwoods Theatre June 14, 2011, after 182 previews. Katrina Lenk, who went on to star in Indecent and The Band's Visit on Broadway—winning a Tony Award for the latter—documented her two-show day as Arachne in the show for Playbill during the run.
Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark featured music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge, direction by Philip Wm. McKinley, and a book co-written by Julie Taymor, Glen Berger and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.
The solitary life of Arachne begins with a quiet, frantic speedwalk to the subway. I overslept.
Katrina Lenk
Here we are!
Katrina Lenk
Hallelujah! The MTA gods got me to midtown in time to stop for coffee. Thank you, you flirty things you.
Katrina Lenk
New York on Sunday, ba dum dum, big city taking a steam bath.
Katrina Lenk
Not even noon, and already Mickey is out there. That there is hardest working man/woman/child in showbiz.
Katrina Lenk
Thar she blows.
Katrina Lenk
I keep hoping one day this will say Emergency Egrets.
Katrina Lenk
Made it just in time. Noon on the nose, baby.
Katrina Lenk
Home sweet mirror.
Katrina Lenk
That's the lovely Angela Johnson's hand- creating Arachne's face while I put in one million pin curls.
Katrina Lenk
All this goes on my mug.
Katrina Lenk
Donning Arachne's beautiful hair with the help of Lisa Weiss.
Katrina Lenk
I love this vending machine in the hallway backstage. I daresay it loves me back.
Katrina Lenk
That's the infamous Dr. Shannon McDowell, Arachne's dresser. And my chum.
Katrina Lenk
Oral hygiene. Very important. I sing a lot of "Ahs."
Katrina Lenk
Dr. McDowell and Michael Wilhoite, ASM, come to get me for my ascent to my very high "Places." 5 stories up.
Katrina Lenk
One set of Arachne's 8 legs. We all ride the elevator to the top, baby.
Katrina Lenk
First number done, and now yoga yoga yoga in my dressing dressing room.
Katrina Lenk
Arachne: Party on top...
Katrina Lenk
Business on the bottom.
Katrina Lenk
2nd number done, and now the long wait until my 3rd scene in Act II...
Katrina Lenk
This was the wonderful Matt Caplan's last day as his return to Peter Parker. So, a good staring was in order.
Katrina Lenk
Before "Turn Off the Dark" I receive assistance from John Gibson, House Head Sound, in skiing the slopes.
Katrina Lenk
This is a very serious business.
Katrina Lenk
The Goblin DOES have a heart. (well, at least Bob Cuccioli does)
Katrina Lenk
Post matinee makeup removal, ala Glenn Close.
Katrina Lenk
Two hours to take Manhattan. To the underground!
Katrina Lenk
Down we go.
Katrina Lenk
Good ol' Lee's Art Shop. If you can't find Christmas cards in here, well, it's Armageddeon.
Katrina Lenk
Christmas Market at Columbus Circle.
Katrina Lenk
I spend a lot of time staring at things like this.
Katrina Lenk
Thar she blows, Take Two.
Katrina Lenk
Made it back with 2 minutes to spare
Katrina Lenk
Office folk get the 3pm sleepies. We get the 6pm sleepies.
Katrina Lenk
Nuthin a little re-heated coffee can't fix. Glamour.
Katrina Lenk
There's the lovely Angela. Patiently doing my make up again.
Katrina Lenk
Lisa had this prepared for me in the wig room. She is quite the Hair Tie Artiste.
Katrina Lenk
The Doctor is in.
Katrina Lenk
These are Arachne's pincers, waiting to be worn. Dr. McDowell carries them at her hip and we calls 'em Fish.
Katrina Lenk
Another set of Arachne's legs. Every show, these folks plus 3 more hook me up, get me set and lower me down to start the opening number. I'm very lucky. Josh Cockley (Props), Dr. McDowell, Dave Fulton (Carpentry and Flying), and Drew Neil, ASM. All comin'
Katrina Lenk
We go this way at the start of every show, walking on the catwalk way high up over the audience. We can SEEEEEE you.
Katrina Lenk
I get to watch the conductor on this wee tiny screen whilst hanging over the stage. That's Kimberly Grigsby: Genius.
Katrina Lenk
That's Ron Rebentisch (Carpenter and Class Clown). This poor guy has to help me up and down for every flight.
Katrina Lenk
Glitter Accident.
Katrina Lenk
A close up of the beautiful makeup designed by Judy Chin, done by Angela Johnson
Katrina Lenk
The long wait between "Rise Above" and "Turn Off the Dark." I'm getting close to the last issue. Sigh. I never read Spider-man before this show, and I confess, I've kinda fallen in love with the story. Methinks I am not alone.
Katrina Lenk
Yoga. AGAIN.
Katrina Lenk
Slalom, again.
Katrina Lenk
Off to bow at curtain call, and done!
Katrina Lenk
Lavender-soaked hot towels at the end of the night. Thank you Jesus... and the make up department.
Katrina Lenk
10 hours of pin curls= 1 Barbara Mandrell.
Katrina Lenk
Back to reality!
Katrina Lenk
And into the depths of the subway...
Katrina Lenk
I return home 11 hours from when I started. Thanks for spending the day! Come on down and see us at the Foxwoods Theatre!
Katrina Lenk
