REBECCA to Open at Broadhurst Theatre Fall 2012

At the end of January, the producers of REBECCA, the new musical based on the classic novel by Daphne Du Maurier novel (later turned into an Oscar-winning film by Alfred Hitchcock) announced that the production would be postponed until next season. Earlier today, The Village Voice's Michael Musto reported that the show might be making its Broadway debut sooner than expected. Musto writes: 'They have started rehearsing again and they plan to take over the Broadhurst Theatre when A Streetcar Named Desire exits.'

Now, on the show's official Facebook page, lead 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 indebeted) 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."

In answer to a question regarding potential casting for the show, or if the previously announced stars would still be with the production, Spechrer wrote: "Rebecca the Musical we will be making casting announcement over the next several weeks, thanks, ben"

REBECCA features original book and lyrics by Michael Kunze, music by Sylvester Levay, English book adaptation by two-time Tony Award winner Christopher Hampton (Sunset Boulevard), English lyrics by Hampton and Kunze, and direction by Tony Award-winner Michael Blakemore (Kiss Me, Kate; City of Angeles; Noises Off) and Francesca Zambello (Little Mermaid). Musical staging is by multiple Tony-nominated director/choreographer Graciela Daniele (Ragtime). Scenic design is by Peter J. Davidson, costumes by Jane Greenwood, lighting by Mark McCullough, special effects by Gregory Meeh and projections by Sven Ortel. Musical direction and supervision is by Kevin Stites.

REBECCA is the story of Maxim de Winter, his new wife (“I”) and Mrs. Danvers, the controlling and manipulative housekeeper of Maxim’s West Country estate of Manderley – where the memory of his first wife, the glamorous and mysterious Rebecca, still casts a shadow. Announced for the cast of REBECCA were Sierra Boggess (“I”), Tam Mutu (Maxim deWinter), Karen Mason (Mrs. Danvers), James Barbour (Jack Favell), Howard McGillin (Frank Crawley), Donna English (Beatrice de Winter), Nick Wyman (Giles) and Henry Stram (Ben).

REBECCA had its world premiere in 2006 at Vereinigte Buhnen Wien in Vienna, where it played to sold-out houses for more than three years. Vastly successful productions of REBECCA have also played Budapest, Hungary; Bucharest, Romania; Helsinki, Finland; Stuttgart, Germany; St. Gallen, Switzerland and at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo.

The producers of REBECCA are Ben Sprecher, Louise Forlenza, The Shubert Organization, David Mirvish/ DC Tours Pty Limited, Nanda Anand and Peter Bogyo, in association with Tony Fusco, Larry Feinman and Peter Bezemes, by special arrangement with/and based on the Vereinigte Buhnen Wien GmbH production.

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