Landless Theatre Conspires to Rival Bono's Epic with A New Spidermusical

Mar 18, 2012
Spidermusical

Landless Theatre Company presents the DC Premiere of Spidermusical, a decidedly low-budget alternative to the lavish and deadly Spider-superhero musical currently playing on Broadway. The play is written by Timothy Michael Drucker and Randy Blair (creators of Perez Hilton Saves The Universe and Fat Camp), with music by Matt Roi Berger. The production is directed by Melissa Baughman, with music direction by Charles Johnson.

"Spidermusical" runs April 5 through 29 at DC Arts Center, with regular performances Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30 PM.

Landless' DC premiere marks the second (and possibly final) production of Spidermusical. The original New York showcase production was presented in March 2010 at the Mint Theatre, and it had the distinction of opening before U2 composers and Taymar's epic Broadway production.

Writers Drucker and Blair provide the following disclaimer: "[Spidermusical] is not based on the Spider-Man comic. And not based on the Spiderman musical. But kinda."

Young Peter Partker is a nerdy Astoria teen with nothing going for him until he is bitten by a radioactive spider and transformed into a buff fighting machine. Suddenly, he finds himself fighting crime, and fighting to win the heart of Mary Joan, his slutty-best-friend-with-a-heart-of-gold - all the while finding time to fulfill his unpaid internship at Gawker.com.

When questioned about rumors that Julie Taymar is accusing Landless and the creators of undermining and unseating her original Spider musical concept, director Melissa Baughman retorts that "Spidermusical is nothing like Broadway's Spider musical - it has a story, it's not boring, and no actors are harmed during the production."

The production stars Mickey D. DaGuiso as "Peter Partker" and Baltimore's Melissa O'Brien as "Mary Joan." The ensemble includes Arielle Goodman, Steve Custer, Patrick M. Doneghy, Melanie Kurstin, Stefanie Garcia, Ernie Achenbach, Ally Jenkins, Andrew and Matt Baughman.

'Spidermusical' runs April 5 through 29, Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30 PM. All performances are held at District of Columbia Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW. Admission is $25. For tickets and information visit www.landlesstheatrecompany.org.