According to Showblitz.com, DreamWorks and Working Title Films will soon begin work on a big screen adaptaton of Daphne DuMaurier's Gothic literary masterpiece REBECCA. The novel was originally made into a film in 1940 by director Alfred Hitchcock. It received 11 Oscar nominations that year and picked up awards for Best Cinematography and Best Picture. The film starred Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine and Judith Anderson.
REBECCA tells 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. The latest screen version will be penned by 'Eastern Promises' writer Steven Knight.
REBECCA was slated to open as a new musical on Broadway this April at the Broadhurst Theatre, with previews to begin March 27th. However, producers announced in late January that the production had been postponed until next season.
Explained lead producer Ben Sprecher, “It is with great disappointment that we have made the decision to postpone the Broadway debut of this phenomenal musical until next season. REBECCA is a grand and spectacular musical requiring substantial capitalization, and it’s no secret that in this very negative economic climate, raising money for Broadway has become even more difficult and laborious than it has historically always been. We are very close to meeting our financial goal, but we just ran short of time to complete capitalization with rehearsals slated to begin in two weeks. We feel that REBECCA is too special of a musical to short change in any way. It is our responsibility to the creators of this show, to our cast, our partners, our investors and our vendors that the complete financing is in place before rehearsals begin. REBECCA on Broadway must have the proper chance to continue the successful track record it currently enjoys worldwide. My co-producers and I remain very committed to bringing this wonderful show to New York next season.”
The musical version of 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.
The cast of the planned production included Sierra Boggs (“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).
