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Post by demica on Feb 11, 2008 14:48:14 GMT -5
Well I think that if there wasn't anything even beeing planed, VBW wouldn't announce for sure nor even make any reference to it. Lets see if Demica can enlight us since she was on this show and heard the announcement on the Theater well zechner said that it COULD be, that rebecca will be on broadway. i quoted her in the "rebecca thread" verbally. that's exactly what she said. (in german of course) it is in all probability that rebecca will be shown on broadway! i didn't want to spread any rumours with that, i'm sorry if i did. i simply wanted to tell you what's going on.
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Sinina
Chorus Member
Avatar by Alienor
Posts: 198
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Post by Sinina on Feb 11, 2008 15:00:47 GMT -5
Don't worry, demica, you didn't spread any rumours. People tend to over-interpret this kind of things, and that's exactly what happened with Kathrin Zechner's speech.
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Post by Nene on Feb 11, 2008 15:43:07 GMT -5
The big thing staring you in the face that you're also missing/not including is this year's bumper crop of straight plays (mostly dramas) which are drawing a respectable number of people, though the grosses are deceptive (straight plays have lower ongoing expenses and can run at 50%). Oh, and Sunday in the Park with George, aka the ultimate artsy musical? 86% attendance and $370k due to heavy discounting during previews for a show backed by a non-profit. I stand by my statement - there is room for non-fluff on Broadway. It may not be the biggest thing selling, but there's a place for it at the theatrical buffet. Well said. If fluff was the only thing that worked then people would not be pursuing Sondheim revivals. We wouldn't have seen Light in the Piazza succeed like it did and extend past it's initial engagement. There are other examples as well. If the show is good, publicity is good, the reviews good, and word of mouth is good, then Rebecca has a chance.
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Post by lapislazuli on Feb 14, 2008 6:31:46 GMT -5
I don't want to destroy any hopes, but I also don't think that Rebecca is very likely to come to Broadway. At least not within the next 10 -15 years. As for what Zechner said - I think that has more to do with the way that VBW want to see themselves and want to be seen in the best light. They tend to slightly exaggerate when talking about their own greatness.
Though I think there are some concrete plans for an English-language production, though personally I think it is not going to be Broadway (and probably not Westend). Could be that they are going to do some try-outs somewhere else, before they got to those "important" places. I guess they want to do everything right - so that they find it right: get a director who understands their story and not have to change the whole thing until it is something completely different. They have time and they will need time to make it "right". They (and I mean Kunze and Levay) have their plays running sucsessfully at so many places, that they don't have to rush with the English speaking market. It's good if they can get it there. But they don't have to. So they can work on it and see, whether the play that they want to make will be accepted there or not. The only thing that one can be sure about in the whole thing is that it is going to stay the way it is inteded to be and not adapted to some Broadway-taste (whatever that may be)
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Post by scarlet on Feb 25, 2008 17:53:38 GMT -5
My favorite quote of the day comes from the NY Times and I think it sort of sums up what we've been saying here...
"Putting up a Broadway show is like staging a giant musical number in the middle of a hailstorm with people who don’t speak the same language, have different agendas and all too often are sworn enemies."
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Post by Fantasma da Opera on Jul 17, 2008 6:10:09 GMT -5
For all of those who still doubted about a possible Rebecca production on Broadway, I am please to inform you that the plans are to open Rebecca spring of 2010. It's also said that Rebecca will open in Berlin, though about that I doubt a bit, since Kunze himself said last month that there were no plans whatsoever for a Germany production yet. For more, here's the link broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=29970
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Post by Valancy on Jul 17, 2008 6:39:11 GMT -5
I can't quite figure out from this how definite and certain the plans are, but I suppose if they are already talking about a likely opening date, then it's much more than just idle talk and "we might do this". Very interesting. I look forward to hearing more.
I doubt anyone in all the previous discussions has meant to deny as such the possibility of a Broadway production. Just to point out that then there simply was no official information that would actually have said that yes, a Broadway production is definitely being planned. Well, now it looks from this like a production is being planned.
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Post by IchBinRory on Jul 17, 2008 8:27:01 GMT -5
I can't quite figure out from this how definite and certain the plans are, but I suppose if they are already talking about a likely opening date, then it's much more than just idle talk and "we might do this". Very interesting. I look forward to hearing more. I doubt anyone in all the previous discussions has meant to deny as such the possibility of a Broadway production. Just to point out that then there simply was no official information that would actually have said that yes, a Broadway production is definitely being planned. Well, now it looks from this like a production is being planned. Just to let you all know a of mine friend sent a letter to Mr Kunze himself and shockingly got a reply. The letter was regarding all his shows in the english speaking world asking what chance there would be of a production and this is what he said: Only "Tanz der Vampire" has been performed in English so far. Unfortunately the American producer had it mutilated without my authorization. That is why I am very reluctant giving the rights away for my other shows. There might be, however, a chance that "Rebecca" will show up on an English or an American stage some time. Thanks for your interest and best regards Michael Kunze
So there is a glimmer of hope there.
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Post by Fantasma da Opera on Jul 17, 2008 9:25:44 GMT -5
Just to let you all know a of mine friend sent a letter to Mr Kunze himself and shockingly got a reply. LOL there's no shock whatsoever in that I've contacted Michael Kunze several times regarding various aspects of his shows and with with several questions and he always answered me and always said everything he COULD say regarding my quetions ;D This are the kind of things that differ from a civilized man that got famous due to his work (Kunze) from other arrogant famous composers that don't give a d**n about their fans and its almost like you needed to ask for an audience as if it was the Pope...(*cof*ALW*cof*) (Though now that i think of it...It may be easier to reach the Pope... ;D )
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Post by IchBinRory on Jul 17, 2008 10:10:07 GMT -5
Just to let you all know a of mine friend sent a letter to Mr Kunze himself and shockingly got a reply. LOL there's no shock whatsoever in that I've contacted Michael Kunze several times regarding various aspects of his shows and with with several questions and he always answered me and always said everything he COULD say regarding my quetions ;D This are the kind of things that differ from a civilized man that got famous due to his work (Kunze) from other arrogant famous composers that don't give a d**n about their fans and its almost like you needed to ask for an audience as if it was the Pope...(*cof*ALW*cof*) (Though now that i think of it...It may be easier to reach the Pope... ;D ) The only reason I said that was because I assumed he'd be busy with his work. Lloyd webber on the other hand. Well there is indeed more chance of hell freezing over, melting then becoming an amusement park than even getting a reply from that man.
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Post by Milady on Jul 17, 2008 12:39:04 GMT -5
This is definitely worth keeping an eye on, but I won't be booking any train tickets for spring 2010 yet with how quickly things go from "aiming toward" to "whatever happened to...". Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a successful Rebecca on Broadway and have been casting in my head already. I think it's very wise that there's a nice long opportunity for refining the show (especially the lyrics) before Broadway. Still, I'm holding off on the squee until there's a date and a theatre. Great news, though!
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Post by Nene on Jul 17, 2008 15:57:04 GMT -5
Setting a date means nothing. How long and how many times has Tale of Two Cities set a date? They are just now getting to Broadway so it still may be awhile before Rebecca can hit NYC. It's going to have to fight for a theatre. Out of all their shows, Rebecca has the best opportunity to be a success.
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Post by Milady on Jul 17, 2008 16:39:56 GMT -5
I agree, Nene, that a date isn't a guarantee. I think what I was trying to say is when they set a date that has some actual meaning - a contract with a Broadway house, etc. After all, Kristina was waiting in the wings for The Color Purple to vacate its theatre and Billy Elliot just had to be in the Majestic. When the show makes the shift from 'coming to Broadway' to having contracts signed, etc., then I'll have cause to squee.
To go a little off topic, I'm very happy to see A Tale of Two Cities finally making it to Broadway. I was beginning to think it was going to be one of those shows that ends up in development/tryout stage forever.
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Post by rastlosejahre on Sept 5, 2008 19:45:37 GMT -5
American producers seem to be taking quite the liking to Francesca Zambello despite the critical pans of her "Little Mermaid".
Currently, she is heading a so-far well received production of a new musical based on one our greatest classic novels "Little House on the Prairie" at the Guthrie Theatre, one of our most prominent regional theatres. Depending on how well it does there will spell out its future in commercial markets.
She is also slated to stage a juke-box musical version of an American film called "The First Wives Club" which will premiere in Seattle and open on Broadway later in 2009.
So as long as she is received well with these newer productions, hopefully <i>Rebecca</i>'s chances wil increase.
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Post by Fantasma da Opera on Sept 5, 2008 21:48:25 GMT -5
I don't think the chances of Rebecca going to B'way have anything to do with Francesca. Its more of a question of preparing the show etc. I would personaly prefer Francesca away from Rebecca again, and give it to Harold Prince...but unfortunatly I'm not the B'way producer.
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