Bermuda Actress’ ‘Spider-Man’ Debut

November 12, 2011

[Updated with photo gallery] With great talent comes great opportunity — as well as great responsibility, particularly when you’ve been cast in one of the hottest shows on Broadway.

But Bermuda actress Rebecca Faulkenberry pulled off her debut in “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” on Thursday [Nov.10] with aplomb, winning a thunderous ovation from a New York audience during her curtain call.

Ms Faulkenberry takes a bow with “Spider-Man” castmates T.V. Carpio, Reeve Carney & Patrick Page

Ms Faulkenberry succeeded Jennifer Damiano, who created the role of the title character’s love interest Mary-Jane Watson when the mega-hit rock musical opened at New York’s Foxwoods Theatre in June.

“Opening last night, OY VEY! I had such an amazing time, definitely less nervous than I thought I’d be … and everyone at the Foxwoods has been amazing and welcoming!” Ms Faulkeberry said yesterday [Nov.11]. ” I knew this having seen it, but the talent coming off that stage is remarkable! … First show done, and now I can really start to get into it and explore. Thank you everyone for your well wishes!”

The former Bermuda High School student — a veteran of many Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society and Bermuda Gilbert & Sullivan Society productions — had only made her first Broadway appearance earlier this year in ’80s-era musical “Rock Of Ages” after appearing in its US national touring production.

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The most expensive Broadway production ever mounted, “Spider-Man” features creative consultation by Philip William McKinley, original direction by Julie Taymor — a Tony Award winner for “The Lion King” — and music and lyrics by 22-time Grammy Award winners Bono and The Edge from U-2. The book was co-written by Ms Taymor, Glen Berger and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.

Inspired by over 40 years of the Marvel Comic character co-created by writer/editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, “Spider-Man” follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is literally turned upside-down when he’s bitten by a genetically altered spider and wakes up the next morning clinging to his bedroom ceiling.

This bullied science-geek suddenly endowed with incredible powers soon learns, however, that with great power comes great responsibility as villains put both his physical strength and strength of character to the test.

Earlier this year Ms Faulkenberry appeared on “Dancing With The Stars” along with fellow “Rock Of Ages” cast members and last year the young Bermudian was featured on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno when the musical’s cross-country tour commenced.

Ms Faulkenberry is one of two young Bermudian performers appearing in major New York productions.

Actor/singer Nicholas Christopher, son of Hamilton Crier Ed Christopher, has received rave reviews for his role in the off-Broadway revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Rent.”

Mr. Christopher, who studied at Boston Conservatory and New York’s Juilliard School, made his professional theatrical debut in the US earlier this year in the touring company of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “In The Heights”.

“Rent” is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s opera “La Bohème”. It tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side during the 1980s under the emerging shadow of HIV/AIDS.

Because of a back injury, Mr. Christopher announced yesterday [Nov. 11] he will be taking a leave of absence from “Rent.” “My last show is Sunday [Nov. 13],” he said. “So come out and support.”

Photos courtesy of Walter McBride/Retna Ltd. and Playbill, click to enlarge: