Fast könnte man meinen, Agatha Christie hätte das Skript für die Produktionsphase des Broadway-Musicalabenteuers von »Rebecca« geschrieben. Nach massiven Finanzierungsproblemen, einem heftig umstrittenen Finanzierungszuschuss aus Wien und banalem Singsang vor Lastkraftwagen stirbt dem Team ein Produzent weg, der 4,5 Millionen des mit 12 Millionen veranschlagten Gesamtbudgets besteuern will. Wer ist dieser geheimnisvolle Investor? Man könnte fast meinen, dass Ahrens & Flaherty sich die leicht morbide anschließende Mediendiskussion ausgedacht haben, denn nun versuchen die Medien natürlich mit aller Gewalt herauszufinden, um wen es sich bei diesem toten Investor handeln könnte. Es ist ein Europäer, das hat man recht schnell eruiert. Ben Sprecher, Produzent der Show, verweigert weitere Angaben. Die logische Konsequenz: Die Medien suchen erst recht weiter. Um einen Paul Abrams soll es sich handeln. Die New York Times findet aber weder in den Vereinigten Staaten noch in Europa eine Meldung, dass ein Paul Abrams verstorben sein soll. Letzte Wendung im Schicksal von »Rebecca«. Ben Sprecher sendet den Cast- und Crewmitgliedern folgende Mail:
Dear Rebecca Family,
I know the suspense is almost unbearable.
Louise and I continue to work hard to insure that we will meet next week at a first rehearsal for «Rebecca.†Forward progress has been made every day over the last week and a half. This uncertainty will be resolved shortly.
Based on the reports I received from Michael Blakemore about the good meetings he has had over the last several days with Graciela Daniele, Kevin Stites and the designers, I know we are poised and ready to prepare and present a really great new musical, especially given the good fortune we have of having assembled a highly talented and good-spirited cast and stage management team.
I know how hard this has been for everyone and your families. Believe me, Louise and I are right there with you. No words of gratitude will ever do justice to the overwhelming feelings we have about your faith and commitment.
Thank you for your extraordinary patience. Don’t believe anyone telling you we are delayed again. The only people who can do that are me, Louise and the Shubert Organization.
All the best,
Ben Sprecher
Update, 21. September
A lead producer of the $12 million Broadway musical «Rebecca†said on Friday that he had received new financial commitments from investors to make up a $4.5 million gap in its capitalization budget, and that he had informed cast members that rehearsals could start next week. The investment contracts, however, are still awaiting signatures. [New York Times]
Update, 22. September
Ben Sprecher: “Signed contracts for those investments have gone out and the funds transfers are expected within days. As soon as that occurs, production will resume and the new first-rehearsal date set. The cast was also informed that they will be paid for next week [the week of Sept.24], whether or not rehearsals are able to begin next week. But the hope is that they will.” [Playbill]
Link
- New York Times: ‘Rebecca’ Producer Says Musical’s Fate Will Be Decided Soon
