Spider-Man Stunt Guy — Xmas in the ICU

Spidey actor Christopher Tierney ‘s dad tells TMZ, the family was set to have Christmas at home before the tragic accident earlier this week but now they’re making arrangements to be with him at the hospital in NYC. But all’s not lost Tierney’s dad tells us, “Chris cannot wait to get back into the Spidey costume … It wont be as soon as he would like but … his spirits are high and he cannot wait to get back.” We’re told Christopher will remain in the ICU until Monday and then move on to rehab. “The stunts were the highlight of the show, I mean the audience would go nuts every time they’d start flying over the audience.” During Monday night’s performance, 31-year-old actor Christopher Tierney fell at least 20 feet while performing a stunt. Spider-Man returned to the stage without any apparent hitches Thursday, a day after two performances were canceled due to a scary fall that left a stuntman seriously injured. “The show is going on as planned,” a spokesman for the musical, Rick Miramontez, said. “Spider-Man was on a bridge, and Mary Jane was dangling from it,” Dealwis said. Spider-Man producer Michael Cohl addressed Tierney’s recovery before the start of the Dec. 23 show, telling the audience the stuntman, who was hospitalized to undergo back surgery, “came through with flying colors.” The show made a smooth return, with the aerial stunts reportedly inciting enthusiastic applause from the packed house. It was beautiful to see everyone come together tonight.” Also all smiles was producer Michael Cohl. The harness, you could see it just flick off his back and fly backward.” Afterward, Dealwis said, “it just went black, and the producer came on and said we’re going to pause for a moment. “I feel great.” Before the $65 million show could resume Thursday with its nearly 40 aerial stunts intact, producers had to give final confirmation to the state Department of Labor that they had enacted certain safety measures.

The show’s director and co-writer, Julie Taymor , credited the show’s injured actor, Christopher Tierney , with inspiring the cast to rise above recent troubles. I felt even safer today considering all the measures they put in place following Monday.” “Chris gave us the spirit tonight.” Tierney, doing a stunt as Spider-Man on Monday night, plunged from a ledge about 30 feet into a stage pit despite a safety harness that should have prevented the spill. The accident occurred during one of the show’s safer stunts. He underwent back surgery and was “walking today,” Taymor said happily. “He says he wants to come back to the show, soon-ish.” Tierney was to be released from a hospital Friday or Saturday and complete his recovery at home in New Hampshire , said his brother Patrick Tierney, of Plaistow, N.H. State officials on Thursday held a press conference outside the Foxwoods Theatre to keep the focus on the show’s safety issues, saying that though it had made strides in fixing some problems it still needed to increase training for understudies and possibly hire more stagehands. “They could have made the story more clear and compelling,” he said. Ticketholder Victoria Shaw-Locknar, who was attending Thursday’s show with her daughters Ruby, 11, and Ava, 9, said she was nervous because she didn’t want to see anyone get hurt. His father, Troy Oechsner, was a little more mixed, admiring the stunts but echoing complaints that some had about a confusing plot, especially in the second act.

But she figured that producers must have worked out the kinks.