Rebecca

[BkCollector]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 1:00pm

Wow. I'm really excited to see this show when it comes to NY, I just hope they work on the English lyrics. Who would you like to see do the lyrics in English? I'd like a real librettist to handle it, someone with experience in making it poetry.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 2:32pm

I love it in German, so am VERY excited about an English production/recording.

What about Tim Rice to do the translation? The original librettist/lyricist, Kunze, made a name for himself originally by translating Sondheim and Webber for German audiences...he might be able to do a fine version himself.

Supposedly there is a recording of some of the songs in English, with Pia Douwes (sp) of Elisabeth fame singing Mrs. Danvers. The woman on the German recording, Susan RIGVAVA-DUMAS, gives me chills on the title number...gotta have a stratospheric belt!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 3:47pm

Here are the tracks of Pia Douwes singing Mrs. Danvers in English:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1I_Q2snZcY

Not as good as Susan Rigvava-Dumas, imo.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 4:02pm

Compare the above with Pia to this clip w/ Susan:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij6B0lNYmjY&feature=related
Wonder what that last note is!

[myshikobit]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 4:54pm

I cannot wait til this comes to Broadway!! I love Hitchcock and that sounds really cool!

[Noel&Cole]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 5:07pm

There is a REBECCA musical? What is its production history. Does anyone have any details on it? This could be an really interesting show. Just from knowing the novel and the movie. Would love to know more about it

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 6:07pm

Check out this thread, there's been a lot of discussion there:https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardid=1&thread=952102#3461528

It premiered in Vienna September 2006-June 2007, and September 2007-December 2007. It will reopen in the same city and theatre (the Raimund) from September 2008-December 2008. It was originally intended to premiere in the West End, but they're wisely taking time to fix some structure problems (presumably). Plus, some English lyrics need a little work.

ETA: I don't know if she'd necessarily hit the notes like Rigvava-Dumas does, but I think Julia Murney would make a pretty incredible Mrs. Danvers.

Updated On: 3/25/08 at 06:07 PM

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 6:05pm

Rebeeeeeeeeeeeeccaaaaaaaaaaaa

God, that gives me chills.

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 10:59pm

Please, God, let there be an English-language production of this show! I've fallen in love with the recording (especially the complete, live recording) and based on what I've seen on YouTube, it looks gorgeous, especially that fiery finale! As long as the English Mrs. Danvers has as good a voice as Dumas I'll be happy. anyone know if she speaks English? Maybe she could transfer when it finally happens?

[Dre2387]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 11:23pm

the german clip was really good! i love the music!

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 5/11/08 at 5:51pm

This is somewhat old, but to answer SweeneyPhanatic's question:

Yes, Susan Rigvava-Dumas can at least perform in English exceptionally well. She is appearing in the current Vienna production of We Will Rock You, which is performed in English. She dounds absolutely fantastic, so there could be a chance (because seriously, her voice is out. of. this. world.).

[cremi]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 7:49am

Susan is the biggest star of the show. I met her last year and she is not planning to do any production outside of vienna! She will return for the last 6 months starting this september.

In Japan a "new"version openend with rave reviews. Another prouction is opening this fall in norway. And there are current plans for; Germany, The Netherlands, Hongary, Uk and Broadway.

The Broadway production has been announced in november 2007 in Vienna. But there are no dates given.

Micheal Kunze is currently working on a translation of Rebecca. But Marie Antoinnete is opening in januari 2009 in Germany so until then don't expect a broadway or West-end version before then.

Here is some rebecca in finland http://www.hkt.fi/ohjelmisto/play.php?name=rebe

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 8:14am

If Susan doesn't do it, I'd love to see Julia Murney do it. Mrs. Danvers is a role that could win a woman a Tony.

Who else could do the show on Broadway? Who would play who?

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 10:15am

I have been thinking Alice Ripley would make a good Danvers, and she's a perfect age. I'm not a huge Murney fan (her vibrato can be too much), though there's no doubt she'd hit those notes.

Interestingly, as was discussed in another thread and I allude to in an earlier post here, Pia Douwes was to originate the role of Danvers, having made a splash in the same team's "Elisabeth", but she didnt do it (she did do a stint on Broadway in Chicago). She doesnt hit the power notes at the end of the song "Rebecca" in the recording in English. I wonder if that power ending was added after Susan got the role.

In the vid on Youtube, it looks as though a figure is being tortured in the burning Manderlay, which I assume is Danvers...so cool.

It seems brilliantly directed...shame Zambello couldnt do a better job with "The Little Mermaid".

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 12:59pm

Very true.

And Alice Ripley would be just as amazing as, if not better than, Murney.

Updated On: 5/12/08 at 12:59 PM

[thatgirl712]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 2:04pm

Sounds good!

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 2:18pm

It is good.

Anyone reading this thread, if you have iTunes, buy the complete live cast recording ASAP.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 3:21pm

The show is staged with a cinematic design...ads for the show proclaim that there are images in the show you'll never forget...and it's true!

Some of the best scenic moments:
The Act I finale
The Boathouse (there are "waves" rolling on stage right)
The Burning of Manderley

And yes, That is Mrs. D burning in the background...wearing Rebecca's nightgown.

I'd say "I" should be played by Elena Shaddow...Maxim would be hard to cast....I was thinking, MAYBE, Raul Esparza. But they simply MUST bring Susan Rigvava-Dumas.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 5/12/08 at 3:41pm

Oooh, Raul Esparza would be great. Maybe he could finally win that Tony.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/2/08 at 3:42pm

okay, so I'm a big fool, but I downloaded Pia Douwes' English version of Danvers' two big numbers and tried to catch all of the lyrics to "Rebecca", but am sure I'm wrong on some and I'm definitely missing some. I cant believe they are right because they are so clunky and odd, so if anyone can correct them, or let me know where i might find them, let me know:

The surf is calling her name
Rebecca!

This was her bed
and here,
This was her nightgown
beautiful, isnt it
hold it and Touch it and feel it
It's soft and it _________
I havent washed it
Since she wore it for the last time
She wont sleep here anymore
but she's near all the same
Hear the surf it is calling her name
Rebecca
whereever you may be
Life sings your song as long as waves roll to the coast


This is her brush
Her hair was full and dark
I brushed it every night
She was ....in velvet
I

She wont smile at me anymore
but she's near all the same
Hear the wind it is calling her name
Rebecca,
whereever you may be
Life sings your song as long as waves roll to the coast
Will society ever beware
Rebecca
Come back Rebecca
You're not meant to be a shadow of a ghost
she's near, she is here
she can see, she can hear,
shes a force you should fear

Rebecca,
whereever you may be
Life sings your song as long as waves roll to the coast
Will society ever beware
Rebecca
Come back Rebecca
You're not meant to be a shadow of a ghost, Rebecca!

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 6/5/08 at 12:53pm

Yes...that demo is VERY clunky....it was produyced before the Vienna production. Actually, there are some longer melody lines int he newer version...on the demo, she pauses sometimes where nowadays Danvers continues singing...

Your questions:

"It's soft and it's light..."

It's not "Will society ever beware..." it's "Voices sigh in the air everywhere".
---------

The demo version is a combination of the first "Rebecca" and the one sung in Act II...here is a great translation of the Act II "Rebecca" which I found online...I changed some lines to make them fill the melody, but it isn't perfect...It's certainly less clunky!

"Rebecca"-2nd Reprise

The Surf:
Rebecca, Rebecca

Danvers:
At night in this house by the sea
Shadows are weeping
Be careful, be afraid!
For all the doors are forbidden,
They're locked and guarded
And those who enter shall be cursed and lost within them
Every room in this old house
Breathes melancholy
Waiting sadly for her to return

Rebecca
Wherever you may be
Your heart stays restless like the wild and unbound sea
When the evening falls, the wind cries out:
Rebecca
Come back Rebecca,
from the realms of shadows back to Manderley

Nothing you say or do
Remains a secret to her
Be careful, be afraid
She won't let you steal her things
And she'll avenge treachery
Those who insult her
Shall be certainly punished
This house is still her home
Everything's waiting for her
Those who loved her will never forget...

Rebecca
Wherever you may be
Your heart stays restless like the wild and unbound sea
When the evening falls, the wind cries out:
Rebecca
Come back Rebecca,
from the realms of shadows back to Manderley

Don't dare outrage her...
Don't take what belongs to her,
Those who disturb are destroyed,

Danvers/"I"
Rebecca / She's gone
Wherever you may be (come back) /She's far away
Life sings your song as long as waves roll to the coast /The dead will never return
Voices sigh in the air everywhere
Rebecca /what once was is over
Come back Rebecca,
From the realms of shadows back to Manderley... / Why am I afraid of

Rebecca!

Source of initial translation:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wVfy-_ZKIXA

Updated On: 6/10/08 at 12:53 PM

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/5/08 at 1:08pm

pardon my ignorance but is this based on the novel "Rebecca" by Daphne DuMaurier?

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/5/08 at 1:14pm

Yes, and later a Hitchcock film.

and Thanks, Thanks!

I knew some of those lines MUST be wrong.

It's interesting to me that Kunze, a celebrated lyricist and translater from English to German would produce such bad lyrics.

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 6/5/08 at 1:16pm

right, w/ lawrence Olivea (wow sorry im sure that spelling is way off)

just making sure it was the same Rebecca. Hmm not sure how I feel about it as musical, I can definitely see it as a fabulous and haunting play.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 6/5/08 at 1:39pm

There are clips on youtube of the musical.