By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY  NEW YORK  After a succession of widely documented delays and mishaps, the $65 million  is hoping for a fresh start in 2011 — with a new spider-woman.  Meet T.V. Carpio, 29, who on Tuesday night will officially assume the role of Arachne, the darkly seductive arthropod whose bite transforms Peter Parker into Spider-Man.  Carpio replaces Natalie Mendoza, whose departure was announced last week. Mendoza suffered a concussion during the first preview on Nov. 28 and had struggled with pain and nausea after returning to the show, now set to open Feb. 7. Carpio had filled in for Mendoza at several performances, and also understudied Jennifer Damiano as heroine Mary Jane Watson.  The petite, genial Oklahoma native played a free-spirited cheerleader in Spider-Man director/co-librettist Julie Taymor's film Across the Universe. "This character is the opposite," Carpio says of the mythology-based Arachne, who forms a love triangle with Parker and Mary Jane — and sings several of Bono and The Edge's tunes. "I call her my shadow self."  A former competitive figure skater, Carpio isn't daunted by Arachne's feats, which include flying sequences using mechanisms modeled on the NFL's speedy overhead cameras. "I love physical, adventurous things."  She allows that "there are risks." Mendoza is one of four cast members hurt in the line of duty. The latest, dancer Christopher Tierney, is recovering from multiple injuries sustained during a 30-foot fall on Dec. 30.  Actors' Equity president Nick Wyman posted a statement Sunday acknowledging concern. "That Chris (Tierney) is not the first actor ... but rather the fourth to be injured on Spider-Man is frustrating and maddening and, to some, infuriating."  Yet Robert Diamond, editor of broadwayworld.com, says that morale within the show remains strong. "I've spoken with seven or eight cast members off the record, and they're very positive and very committed to Julie Taymor and her vision." Spider-Man publicist Rick Miramontez says there are no plans to rein in the stunts, though "the production is committed to safety first and foremost."  Controversy doesn't appear to be hurting Spider-Man at the box office. It has grossed $5.9 million during 29 previews, according to the Broadway League — a figure that puts its per-show grosses on par withbox-office champs Wicked and The Lion King.  You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference.
T.V. Carpio advances to a larger role in the musicalTurn Off the Dark amid cast injuries and mishaps.