Broadway's Matt Doyle Defends Spider-Man Musical at Benefit

At a benefit concert for The Trevor Project last night, Broadway actor Matt Doyle voiced his support for Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, the new musical that has been plagued in recent weeks by reports of injured cast members. 

"I think that it's really tough for any show that is under that much public scrutiny to go through a preview process like this," Doyle said. "The injuries that have occurred are really unfortunate, and it's hard to watch them happen and it's hard to watch people react to them."
 
Christopher Tierney was the fourth member of the cast to get hurt when he fell more than 20  feet during a performance late last month. Yet Doyle, who has appeared on Broadway in Spring Awakening and Bye Bye Birdie and had a recurring role on Gossip Girl, told Niteside that he stands behind the show--because he knows firsthand that those involved are doing their best to make it safe.
 
"I know from several friends and past colleagues who are in the show that they're really, really making an effort, and taking all the right steps to make it a safe show for the actors," he said. "What has happened, especially to Christopher, is tragic and scary. But as a performer, I have to continue to support it. [Director] Julie Taymor is a visionary, and any show on Broadway with an original score that is employing our actors is thrilling enough for me."
 
Doyle became good friends with Jennifer Damiano, who plays Mary Jane in Spider-Man, during their time together in Spring Awakening. Damiano was also slated to perform at the benefit, which was entitled My Favorite Things and took place at Le Poisson Rouge, but she had to bow out when a cancelled performance of Spider-Man was rescheduled for last night.
 
The Trevor Project is a non-profit established to promote acceptance and prevent suicides of LGBTQ youth. For Doyle, who has spoken out against bullying in the past and made a YouTube video for the popular "It Gets Better campaign," their work has personal significance.
 
"When I was a teenager, I was suicidal myself because I was confused about my homosexuality and I got bullied because of it," he said. "It's very close to home for me. I love the work The Trevor Project is doing, and I'm so excited to be supporting them here tonight."
 
Doyle will next be seen in War Horse, a play that was well-received in London and will transfer to Lincoln Center this spring.
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