Rebecca
From Theatre Breaks
Contents |
Rebecca The Musical
A new musical version of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca was expected to replace Flashdance at the Shaftesbury Theatre, after the latter closes on 15th January 2011 but technical problems mean that Rebecca is still looking for a West End Theatre.
About Rebecca The Musical
The spellbinding intrigue and aching romance of Daphne Du Maurier’s famous mystery thriller Rebecca are brought vividly to life in an electrifying new musical adaptation, staged by Tony Award-winning Michael Blakemore and world-renowned director Francesca Zambello.
In 1930s Cornwall, the young, naïve bride of Maxim De Winter arrives at his grand, imposing country manor, Manderley, expecting only a life of married bliss with her new husband. But Manderley is not so welcoming to the new lady of the house. For the spirit of Rebecca, Maxim’s beautiful and ever-dominant first wife, lost in a sailing accident a year earlier, is everywhere, hanging over the young bride like a curse and overshadowing everything she does. As the chillingly malevolent housekeeper Mrs Danvers becomes ever more hostile, it soon becomes apparent that Manderley is a house of devastating secrets, and the mystery of Rebecca may be the greatest of them all...
Famously filmed in 1940 by Alfred Hitchcock and winner of the Best Picture Oscar, Rebecca is now set to thrill the world all over again in this spectacular and gripping new staging. The original book was written and adapted by Michael Kunze and was translated by the Academy Award-winning Christopher Hampton. They have both collaborated on the English lyrics, and with a sumptuous, unforgettable score by Sylvester Levay, Rebecca The Musical is a breathtaking, extraordinary and simply unmissable piece of theatre.
Austrian musical producers VBW Theater have announced that Rebecca will make its London debut in at London's Shaftesbury Theatre in Spring 2011.
Rebecca has book and lyrics by Michael Kunze and music by Sylvester Levay. The show premiered at Vienna's Raimund Theater in September 2006 directed by Francesca Zambello. The English translation has been adapted from the original German version by Christopher Hampton and will be directed in the West End by Michael Blakemore.
Rebecca tells the tale of Maxim de Winter who following the death of his first wife (Rebecca), returns to his country estate Manderley with his new wife. But the second Mrs de Winter soon discovers that the ghost of Rebecca has a strong hold on her husband and his menacing housekeeper Mrs Danvers.
Rebecca the Musical on Broadway, USA
The new musical Rebecca with Sierra Boggess and Tam Mutu was due to open on Broadway in April 2012 but because of investment problems at the end of January the producers announced that it would be postponed until later in 2012.
Now it is being reported that Rebecca might be making its Broadway debut sooner than expected at the Broadhurst Theatre when A Streetcar Named Desire closes there.
Producer Ben Sprecher writes "Rebecca is moving forward. We have identified the final missing piece of investment and the Shuberts (to whom I shall be forever indebted) have graciously allowed us to resume production to open at the Broadhurst in fall of 2012. Thank you all for you patience and most of all to the extraordinary creative team who have stuck by this fantastic production through thick and thin as Rebecca continues to play in productions throughout the world."
Tam Mutu is joining Les Miserables in London playing Inspector Javert in June. The rest of the original cast included Karen Mason (Mrs. Danvers), James Barbour (Jack Favell), Howard McGillin (Frank Crawley), Donna English (Beatrice de Winter), Nick Wyman (Giles) and Henry Stram (Ben).
Broadway Postponed
Postponed: The new musical REBECCA, based on the classic novel by Daphne Du Maurier novel, will open on Broadway, New York, USA on Sunday, April 22nd 2012 at The Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street). Previews will begin Tuesday, March 27th 2012 .
Rebecca Casting
Sierra Boggess from The Little Mermaid, Love Never Dies, Master Class and as Christine in last month's 25th Anniversary Concert of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall, London will play the lead role of "I" in Rebecca the musical on Broadway.
Sierra Boggess
There were no official casting announcements earlier, but there was a rumour - just a rumour - that Sierra Boggess may have been approached to play Mrs de Winter. The rumour is made credible by the fact that Sierra workshopped the role in the second UK workshop of Rebecca in October.
Mrs de Winter is the lead female role as the new wife of Maxim De Winter whom he takes to his Manderley estate in Cornwall. She is then taunted by the ghostly presence of Rebecca, his first wife and encounters the evil housekeeper Mrs Danvers. The musical score is varied, ranging from chorale to ballads and would be perfect for Sierra Boggess’ acclaimed soprano voice.
Sierra Boggess starred as Christine in Love Never Dies at the Adelphi Theatre her contract ending on March 12th 2011.
Videos
Slow start to this one but gives a good insight to production - looks great!
This one is great but a bit of a spoiler:
This medley from Helsinki is great:
Characters in Rebecca
The Heroine
The novel's protagonist and narrator; we never learn her given name. A shy, self-conscious young woman from a lower-middle class background, she begins the novel as a paid companion to Mrs. Van Hopper, a wealthy American woman. In Monte Carlo, she meets and marries the older, wealthy Maxim de Winter, and becomes "Mrs. De Winter," mistress of Manderley.
Maxim de Winter
A cultured, intelligent older man, and the owner of Manderley, a prized estate and mansion on the English coast. When the novel begins, he has recently lost his beautiful, accomplished wife, Rebecca, in what the world believes was a tragic drowning. In fact, however, he killed her himself.
Rebecca
In life, Rebecca was the beautiful, much-loved, accomplished wife of Maxim de Winter, and the mistress of Manderley. Now a ghost, she haunts the mansion, and her presence torments the heroine after her marriage to Maxim.
Mrs. Danvers
The sinister housekeeper at Manderley. She was fiercely devoted to Rebecca, and remains devoted to her even after death. She despises the heroine for taking her mistress's place.
Jack Favell
Rebecca's cousin. Lacking integrity and given to alcoholic behavior, he was Rebecca's lover while she was married to Maxim.
Frank Crawley
Maxim's kind, loyal overseer at Manderley, he befriends the heroine almost immediately.
Beatrice
Maxim's sister. A friendly, outgoing woman with a passion for horses.
Mrs. Van Hopper
A vulgar, gossipy and wealthy American woman. She employs the heroine as a companion while she travels from one European resort town to another.
Ben
A harmless man, mildly retarded, who spends much of his time on the beach near Manderley.
Colonel Julyan
The local magistrate in the region surrounding Manderley
Lady Crowan
A local noblewoman who suggests that Maxim and the heroine revive the tradition of holding an annual costume ball at Manderley.
Baker
A London doctor who saw Rebecca the day of her death
Frith
The butler at Manderley
Clarice
The heroine's maid
Jasper
One of Maxim's pet spaniels, and the heroine's favorite
