Rebecca Delays Rehearsal Start Date After Death of Major Investor

Rebecca, the Broadway musical which was scheduled to begin performances October 30 at the Broadhurst Theatre, has postponed the start date of its rehearsals after the recent death of a major investor. The first rehearsal has been pushed back by two weeks to September 24. Revised dates for the production's first preview and opening night will be announced shortly. 

A musical adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's classic novel, Rebecca had initially been set to begin performances last spring, but was forced to delay its start date to the fall after financial troubles as well. The show's original leads Sierra Boggess and Tam Mutu departed the production after the inital delay. New stars Jill Paice and Ryan Silverman were later announced once the show was on track for a November 18 opening.

The now deceased key investor was expected to contribute $4.5 million to the production, and after their passing, the funds have become tied up. "Since the tragic and sudden death of a major investor in early August, we have been working with the representatives of the estate to complete the committed investment," the musical's lead producers Ben Sprecher and Louise Forlenza said in a statement. "We had been reassured that the commitment would be honored, and have tried day and night to finalize this matter, but as of yet have been unable to do so, which has left us no choice but to delay the start of rehearsals for Rebecca by two weeks. We are fiercely committed to resolving this issue as soon as possible and getting the production back on track in two weeks."

Rebecca features an original book and lyrics by Michael Kunze, music by Sylvester Levay, English book adaptation by Christopher Hampton and English lyrics by Hampton and Kunze. Michael Blakemore and Francesca Zambello serve as co-directors. Rebecca is the story of Maxim de Winter (Silverman), his new wife (Paice) and Mrs. Danvers, the controlling and manipulative housekeeper of Maxim’s West Country estate of Manderley. Upon moving into the grand house, the new Mrs. de Winter realizes the memory of Maxim's first wife, the glamorous and mysterious Rebecca, still casts a shadow.

The cast also features original previously announced stars James Barbour as Jack Favel, Karen Mason as Mrs. Danvers, John Dossett as Frank Crowley, Donna English as Beatrice de Winter, Henry Stram as Ben and Nick Wyman as Giles.