'Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark' Opening Night Delayed Again

Stop us if you've heard this one before. The star-crossed Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" has been handed yet another setback. The beleaguered $65 million show — which just celebrated its first bit of good news when it was revealed that it was the highest-grossing musical on Broadway for the first week of January — will stay in previews a bit longer due to ongoing technical issues.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday (January 14) that the opening night of the show has been pushed back a fifth time and is now scheduled for March 15. Producers said they need time to work out the kinks in a new ending to the most expensive production to ever hit the Great White Way.

Director Julie Taymor and U2's Bono and The Edge are also reportedly working on polishing the second act, which some attendees have found confusing.

"We simply need more time to fully execute the creative team's vision before freezing the show," lead producer Michael Cohl said in the statement. "I picked a date in March that allows me to ensure that this will be the final postponement." Last month, the show pushed the opening date from January 11 to February 7.

The delays also allow for additional rehearsal time for the cast, which has faced shake-ups due to some defections and injuries suffered in rehearsals and previews. As a result of the additional rehearsals, the January 18 and 25 shows have been canceled, and the already unusually long preview period will be extended to more than 15 weeks.

The creative team is also getting some additional help, according to The New York Times, which reported that famed Grammy-winning rock producer Steve Lillywhite will team with Bono and The Edge to help shape the show's music and also produce the original cast album. Lillywhite has reportedly been on hand at the Foxwoods Theater this week working with the actors in the show. The producer has worked with the U2 members often over their career, and after some patrons reportedly complained about the show's muddy sound mix, Lillywhite will also be tweaking the live sound mix as well.

The Associated Press reported that the show still faces other hurdles. Given the massive cost (nearly $1 million a week) of supporting a 41-member cast, 18 orchestra members, complicated sets and dozens of thrilling aerial stunts, the Foxwoods will have to sell out almost every single show for several years just to break even.