BREAKING NEWS: REBECCA Still Hoping to Make it to Broadway in 2013?

[Brave Sir Robin2]

I think I read that they already built lots of the set, so hopefully they can make it work?

[JeffersonPenn]

As several other individuals mentioned, Mr. Sprecher must either move forward with the scheduled theatrical production or return the retrieved capital to the original investors. But, since at least $800,000 of the capitalization has been utilized, the latter option is not quite available. The show must thus go on, despite its debated prospect of commercial success.

[ClapYo'Hands]

The plot thins.

[Addison D.]

If it's a great show with an inspired score and terrific cast, all this gossip, schadenfreude and drama will just be a lot of blah blah blah.

[DEClarke]

They do have a built in audience... the people who are interested in the show because of the scandal.

[uncageg]

DEClarke, not so sure that will be too much of a built in audience. Not near as much as what Spiderman probably generated. Just my opinion.

[PositivelyEmerald]

Yes, a lot of the set was built. I've seen pictures showing the nearly completed deck for the show, as well as the staircase of Manderlay. Ill post them later.

I personally was and still am very excited to see this show. (If it ever happens)

Could Pia Douwes have done the show in the U.S? I could have sworn I heard her singing the title song in english on a recording somewhere. Her voice is stellar, and she has the perfect look for Mrs. Danvers.

Someone said earlier they heard or saw a video of Karen Mason singing "Rebecca." Does anyone know where I can find that???

[DEClarke]

That's true. SPIDER-MAN definitely has broader appeal. But I don't think they would ever expect REBECCA to draw the same large crowds to being with. (I could be wrong.) I'd think they'd expect word of mouth and star QUALity to drive the show.

On the flip side, I know that I am much more interested in REBECCA because of the drama behind the scenes. I really didn't know much about the show until the scandal broke out. It was then that I started learning about it and the success it was in Europe. I know I can't be alone in that camp. And I think other NYC tourists like myself would be ticket buyers in part due to the scandal.

[DeNada]

NYC ticket buyers who actually follow this sort of news are surely a complete minority when it comes to theatre audiences, though. Most people would have very little idea the show is even supposed to be open yet, I'd have thought?

Whatever happens, the show will flop. What plays in Europe does not play well everywhere else. The orchestrations are retro to say the least, the English lyrics sounded dreadful from the Bryant Park performance, and the melodramatic atmosphere is the complete antithesis of everything that's popular on Broadway at present.

I own both Austrian recordings. I LIKE the Austrian recordings, and am considering picking up the new German one to hear the changes to the score. But the show has absolutely no chance of being anything other than a financial disaster on Broadway.

If there was any way for Sprecher and Forlanza to pay back the money and release the rights, they should have taken it, because Sprecher in particular is unlikely to be get the chance to be lead producer on anything again.