Bill de Blasio News

The New York Times reports that SPIDER-MAN Turn Off the Dark's new website text advertising their preview period has been considered by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, and has been found to be satisfactory to warn potential ticket buyers that they will may not be attending a fully completed performance to date through March 15th.

Back at Christmas, Newsday and Bloomberg were the first publications to release reviews of Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, despite the fact that the show is not set to open until next month. But, in the words of Newsday critic Linda Winer: 'After four premiere push-backs (now to Feb. 7), four high-profile injuries, 19 previews at full price ($75-$150, almost double through brokers), and public investigations by state and federal safety agencies, it seems that critics are now the only interested parties who can't see the bride before the wedding.' Both the Newsday and Bloomberg reviews were lukewarm, with Bloomberg critic Jeremy Gerard noting: On the evidence of what I saw, the second act still has yet to be completed. We might expect more of a show that has been in the works for almost nine years.'

SPIDER-MAN has yet another obstacle to overcome. According to Newsday, Bill de Blasio, public advocate of New York City, is campaigning for the Department of Consumer Affairs to make audience members aware that the very delayed show is in deed still not a finished product. De Blasio claims that the musical 'may be in violation of consumer protection laws,' because the show makes no mention that it is still in previews.

Today, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe joined Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Borough President Marty Markowitz, Assembly Member James Brennan, Council Member Brad Lander and President of the Prospect Park Alliance Tupper Thomas to celebrate the newly renovated Vanderbilt Street Playground in Prospect Park.

The Jewish Museum will present an afternoon of Curious George Family Fun, inspired by the exhibition, Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H. A. Rey, on Sunday, July 18 from 1 to 4 pm. Highlights of the day include a drop-in art workshop, self-guided gallery tours of the exhibition, and a special guest appearance by Curious George himself.

Three of the four Democratic candidates for the Office of New York City Public Advocate who have responded to a candidate questionnaire expressed deep concern about the overemphasis on standardized testing and test preparation, and a resultant narrowing of curriculum in city public schools, and are calling on the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) to take proactive steps to support greater access to arts education.

ABC News education reporter, Art McFarland, recently featured a story on The American Place Theatre's Literature to Life program, a performance-based literacy program that presents staged adaptations of significant American literary works.