Actors' group probes 'Spider-Man' star injury

Agencies that look after the safety of performers said Friday that they are investigating an offstage accident that caused the concussion of Natalie Mendoza, who stars as the villainous spider Arachne in the problem-plagued Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark."

Mendoza was replaced by her understudy, America Olivo, at Thursday's preview and is expected to be out at least until Tuesday.

Maria Somma, spokeswoman for Actors' Equity Association, told Newsday that union representatives "have been at every rehearsal and performance" of the record $65-million musical, which was forced to stop five times during its first preview on Sunday, once leaving Mendoza dangling in the air. "We are doing due diligence," Somma said, but added that the union "won't comment further at this time."

The union is in contact with the New York State Department of Labor, which approved the safety of the dozens of technically complex flying sequences Sunday before the first public performance. Labor department spokesman Joseph Morrissey told Bloomberg News Friday that the production "made changes to prevent this type of accident happening again," but did not elaborate.

According to sources close to the production, Mendoza says she was not injured while performing but was hit on the head with an equipment rope while offstage Sunday. She did not report her injury until after she wrote the word "concussion" on her Twitter feed Tuesday. She performed at Wednesday's preview but felt worse Thursday, the sources said.

Mendoza is the third casualty of the show, which is directed by Julie Taymor and has music by U2's Bono and The Edge. A dancer broke both wrists during flying rehearsals, and another injured his foot attempting the same trick.

Taymor was in rehearsal and could not be reached.

The show is scheduled to open Jan. 11.