Union sues 'Spider-Man' on behalf of Julie Taymor

[June 10, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- The union that represents theater directors is seeking any royalties owed Julie Taymor, the original director of "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark."

 The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society filed an arbitration claim on Thursday against the show's producers, saying they had "failed to pay to Ms. Taymor any royalties for the run of the production."

Taymor, who had been the director and co-book writer, was fired from the $70 million musical in March after years of delays, accidents and critical backlash.

Michael Cohl, one of the show's lead producers, acknowledged this week that his team was still trying to resolve financial disputes as a result of having to rework the musical.

The rebooted show is scheduled to open Tuesday.

[Associated Press; By MARK KENNEDY]

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