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| Rebecca in Vienna | |
| Posted by: hrhlc 08:22 am EST 12/22/22 | |
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| Saw the newest version of the scandal-plagued Rebecca here in Vienna last night. It was enjoyable, but I definitely felt I'd traveled in a time machine back to the West End in 1985. Big cast, huge sets, pop-inflected music a la Cameron Mackintosh. I believe it's supposed to open in London next fall and then possibly move to Broadway. I'll be interested to see how that plays out. | |
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| re: Rebecca in Vienna | |
| Posted by: Live_From_London 09:26 pm EST 12/22/22 | |
| In reply to: Rebecca in Vienna - hrhlc 08:22 am EST 12/22/22 | |
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| Yes it opens next September at the Charing Cross Theatre. There will be none of the spectacle like the production in Vienna. The theatre only seats about 250 people and they say this production will have an orchestra of 18 people. I have no idea where they'll fit them in, along with the cast and sets (if there are any) It will be interesting to see Allegiance there next month. |
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| re: Rebecca in Vienna | |
| Posted by: NewtonUK 08:44 am EST 12/22/22 | |
| In reply to: Rebecca in Vienna - hrhlc 08:22 am EST 12/22/22 | |
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| It was only scandal plagued in NYC because of an incompetent producer. Its one of many Euro-pop musicals that make a zillion in Europe - like Elizabeth for example that ran 13 years in Vienna - but die a quick death in the UK or US - because we don't like Euro Pop music other than Abba. The two big European musicals that worked in London and the US were Les Mis and Irma La Douce - both completely overhauled by UK writers/directors. If they hire a UK based team to make Rebecc.aa work for UK/US audiences there may be a hope -tho this kind of musical's day has passed. Today this is a $25-30 million Broadway musical. Not a chance IMHO. | |
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| re: Rebecca in Vienna | |
| Posted by: TXTyler 11:47 am EST 12/22/22 | |
| In reply to: re: Rebecca in Vienna - NewtonUK 08:44 am EST 12/22/22 | |
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| I'm a huge fan of these Euro/British mega-musicals as that's what I grew up with. That being said, they're just not as successful anymore outside of their originating areas. Rebecca certainly has a lot of great earworms (or Ohrwürmer as is the case in Vienna), but there is a huge disconnect between the musical style and the time period. I know that it's purposefully written in the pop vernacular, but I can't quite put my finger on why I don't buy it. I have no problems with shows like Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Mis, Phantom or even Levay & Kunze's own Elisabeth or Mozart!. Rebecca just irks me a bit. That's not to say that I don't enjoy bits of the score, but I don't see it going over well in the UK or the US. One one hand, it seems like a great idea to retool this piece since it's a bit old-fashioned, even though it only premiered 16 years ago. On the other hand, after Tanz der Vampire's rewriting and ultimate fate on Broadway, I think it may be best just to leave Rebecca alone. I do not in any way, shape or form mean to imply that Rebecca comes anywhere near the original Tanz der Vampire's brilliance (it's damn fun theatre), but things could go from bad to worse in a hurry if they start futzing with Rebecca. I understand that the musical's original source novel is the reason why Rebecca has been the chosen show to be produced in English-speaking countries, but I do wish that Elisabeth had been given the same opportunity. It is far more inventive and developed, plus the score is a stunner, pop music or not. |
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