"Spider-Man" stars rationalize injuries

Broadway's "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" has been making unwelcome headlines for months.

Opening day for this $65 million musical keeps getting postponed, and the technical problems and negative reviews aren't helping.

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But what's going on behind the scenes at the show?

On "The Early Show" Tuesday, cast members Reeve Carney (Peter Parker), Jennifer Damiano (MJ Armstrong), and T.V. Carpio (Arachne), offered an exclusive inside look at the show.

Damiano said, "At the end of the day, it's a beautiful show and we're all just getting paid to perform it as best we can. And we try to. It's hard when all those things are coming at you, but you can't let them get to you or else you psych yourself out."

Carpio said the show is for everyone.

She said, "From little kids to like 78. I've seen elderly people there and I don't think -- I've never seen anything like this, ever. And after the reviews have come in or people talking all the stuff, I now think twice about what I read or see, because I just disagree."

What about those bad reviews?

Carney said he doesn't read them.

So co-anchor Chris Wragge read one to him on-air, saying, "The chief theater critic of the Times says it ranks among the worst musicals in Broadway history."

"Everyone has a right to their opinion," Carney responded. "If anything, maybe thanks for -- in some ways, we kind of get a kick out of the negativity, just because (of) that whole thing -- 'any press is good press' is not entirely true, but you have to have a good sense of humor about yourself, as well. We're just trying to make the best show we can. So it's one person's opinion, and I think the audience reaction is so positive every night that that's kind of what we're focused on, just trying to please the audience."

Damiano added, "Every single day is just a new adventure, and it's a brand new audience every time. And I do truly think we win them over every single time."

Carpio said the response from fans is different than the reviews.

"When we come out to sign at the stage door, we actually get the complete opposite response, which is, 'I can't believe these negative reviews. How could they say that this is the worst thing? This is the best show I've ever been to.' This is what we hear," Carpio said. "I don't think they would just say that night after night."

Carney said, "You can't really read your own press, good or bad. So it's a matter of just as artists and performers, it's our job to just focus on the work and bring the truthful performance to life. And obviously, there's a lot of flying going on, a lot of crazy stuff, but it's our job as the actors to bring the emotional truth. And that's what we're trying to do the best we can."

Wragge noted the show will hit 90 previews soon, and normal shows usually have about 30. He asked if March 15 is the firm date for Opening Night.

"That's what we've been told," Damiano said. "But we were told every time that we usually read in the newspaper when that's a delay, so we don't know any more than anyone else. But that's what I've heard, March 15. I certainly hope so."

Carney said he hopes the show will start, so the cast can stop rehearsing.

He said, "We want to make the show the best it can be, so any amount of time that takes, that's what we're in it for, but it would be nice to have a little more free time."

The show has also made headlines for its actors' injuries. Chris Tierney fell 30 feet last December while performing an aerial stunt in the Broadway musical. In December last year, actress Natalie Mendoza also suffered a concussion, which precipitated her leaving the show.

Is it time to scale it back a little bit?

Carpio said, "In 2007, I was in 'Rent,' and I actually suffered a concussion and the girl who took after my part, she suffered an injury. Not to minimize what has happened in our show, but there's no flying in 'Rent' and these things happened and nobody heard about it. So again, not minimizing the things that have happened, but we are pushing that envelope and there are risks. Not minimizing what has happened, but -- these things sometimes just happen."

Carney added, "I guess when you talk it people who have been injured and they feel that way that's really who you want to talk to. I was hanging out with Chris (Tierney) the other night and he can't wait to get back into it. He's a really inspirational guy, but he can't wait to get back flying again. He said it's the most fun thing he's ever done in his life."

Wragge wished the cast members the best of luck -- and safety.