REBECCA Musical On Broadway In 2012

REBECCA The Musical - on Broadway? It's been a long, tough ride, to say the least. But now the curtain shall go up--for the first time ever in America--on April 22, 2012. The magical event will take place in one of the 18 Shubert Theaters in New York City. (Exact location: TBD)

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UPDATE! REBECCA's premiere has been postponed until the Fall Season 2012!

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After REBECCA's 2006 premiere and subsequent 3-year run at the Viennese Raimund Theater, the show took off all across Europe and Japan, consistently playing to sold-out houses.

Finally in 2009, Oscar and Tony Award Winner Christopher Hampton signed on to craft an English libretto in collaboration with the musical's original author, Michael Kunze.

The first readings at London's West End were produced by Ben Sprecher and Louise Forlenza. Their plans called for a premiere in Spring 2011. Unfortunately, the grounds beneath the theater proved to be not stable enough for the required stage extension. The London premiere was off.

In March 2011, the producers arranged for a reading on Broadway, this time directed by Francesca Zambello and Michael Blakemore. Everyone agreed to begin the previews in March 2012, and follow with the actual Broadway premiere of REBECCA on April 22. 

Maxim DeWinter, the widowed owner of the Cornish Estate Manderley, meets the girl of his dreams during a vacation at the Hotel Monte Carlo. His young bride suffers from a severe lack of self-confidence. This situation is made worse by the arrogance and cruelty of Manderley's housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, who still lives in her obsessive adolation of the former Mrs. DeWinter: Rebecca.

A year ago, Rebecca had lost her life in a boating accident, but Mrs Danvers had kept the estate as if Rebecca were still alive. Clothing, decorations, knick-knacks...everything remains untouched as to never disturb the memories of the glamorous, former first lady. Every day Mrs. Danvers reminds the young lady of the fact that she will never even come close to Rebecca's beauty and sophistication.

An unexpected discovery of Rebecca's corpse brings about a reopening of the case. The police consider the possibility of foul play, and Maxim becomes the prime suspect. By realizing her true love for her husband, the young Mrs. DeWinter breaks through her shell of insecurities, and she develops into a strong partner in the fight for his freedom. Mrs Danvers, however...well, let's just say, there will be a fire in the end. (Many of you may have seen the classic Hitchcock-thriller.)