Lead Spider-Man Actress Quits

Natalie Mendoza, who played the character of Arachne, will be leaving the Broadway production Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark, sources tell The New York Times. Mendoza, 30, suffered a serious concussion earlier this month after a piece of rope with equipment attached to it struck her head. The actress has not commented on her departure from the play and whether America Olivo, her understudy, will be her replacement. Mendoza did note on Facebook that she was glad to be on nausea tablets and painkillers to deal with her concussion, and on Twitter she wrote about contemplating another trip to India. The $65 million Spider-Man is a complex play with several physical feats—since September, four other actors have been injured during rehearsals and preview performances. The production's opening date has been moved back again and is now scheduled to open February 7.