Producer Michael Cohl has defended Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark , which has been savaged by critics.
Early reviews of the troubled production have been overwhelmingly negative, but Cohl defends his show, saying: "Any of the people who review the show and say it has no redeeming value are just not legitimate reviewers, period."
"It's hard to have people that don't get pop culture reviewing a pop culture event, isn't it?"
He added "The PILE-ON by the critics was ridiculous and uncalled for... Their actions are unprecedented and UNCOOL!"
"Changes are still being made and any review that runs before the show is frozen is totally invalid."
The show has been panned by the likes of The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Times and The Washington Post, with Times critic Ben Brantley stating: " Spider-Man is not only the most expensive musical ever to hit Broadway; it may also rank among the worst."
The show has cost an estimated $64m, making it the most expensive in Broadway history. The show has been postponed several times, and cast members have sustained injuries.
Director Julie Taymor brought Disney's The Lion King to the stage to great acclaim, and she is directing The Tempest adaptation due to hit cinemas this year.
Bono and The Edge of U2 fame have written the music for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark .
