Karen Mason & James Barbour To Star With Sierra Boggess in REBECCA?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 11:03am

Just something I heard. Interesting, if it turns out to be true.
Updated On: 10/17/11 at 11:03 AM

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 11:21am

hmmm...well I guess it would be a well-sung production then. As long as there are no young girls in the show Barbour should be fine.

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 11:28am

Not that I have much interest in this show, but I was hoping that Carolee Carmello would continue as Mrs. Danvers.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 11:39am

I like Mason's voice, but she's not much of an actress. I'd much prefer Judy Kuhn.

That said, it's not like this is true.

[philly03]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 12:28pm

I thought James Barbour was up for Jack Favell, not Maxim de Winter, but I suppose either could work. Hugh Panaro (who would be great - or Doug Sills!) was Maxim in the last reading.

Also Karen would be much more suited for Beatrice, Maxim's cousin, who sings the pop-belt song "The Power of a Woman in Love," but she wasn't in previous readings so maybe she is in the running for Danvers.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 12:52pm

What point is this show up to? Are they having submissions?
They don't have a theatre, right? (something will probably open).
Have they had chorus calls?

Is there a projected date?

thanks...

[philly03]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 1:47pm

They've been having auditions.. The show is planning to open on Broadway with previews in March 2012, with a planned opening for April 22. No theatre yet.

The producers and writers are really set on Sierra Boggess in the main role, "I", so if they don't get her (sounds like they are, however) who knows if they will delay again.

Hugh Panaro and Carolee Carmello starred with Sierra in the last US reading, with James Barbour (Favell), Don Stephenson and Anastasia Barzee as Maxim's sister (Beatrice, a minor-supporting role in the musical) and her husband.

The show has also been budgeted, and altered some design plans to accommodate a smaller theatre as well as save some money. They have also had talks with the NYFD regarding some stunts that they had in London.

[BwayStar]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 1:50pm

Tam Mutu as Maxim.

[newintown]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 2:17pm

It would be so much nicer to have someone vaguely interesting playing Max.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 3:19pm

Karen Mason? No. MUST BE CAROLEE OR PIA DOUWES!

[evic]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 4:10pm

Pia is playing Mrs. Danvers in the Stuttgart production later this year-damn..wish she could come here....the woman in the Vienna production was incredible. How about Judy Kaye for the role. Betty Buckley would be sensational too- but maybe the role is too similar to Carrie's mother.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 4:25pm

Betty Buckley turned down the role.

[ReggieonBway]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 4:26pm

I didn't know Sierra had officially confirmed that she was joining the cast.

[sbflyfan]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 4:43pm

I would pay BIG money to hear Patti sing the title song. Too bad she's tied up being one half of a show right now.

[philly03]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 7:24pm

I thought (and still think) Jill Paice would've been a better option in the starring role.


In the previous productions, generally speaking, the actress playing Beatrice (Gloria Gaynor released the single, pop-version of "Power of a Woman in Love") understudies Danvers... so perhaps Karen has been plucked to play her. If not, she'll be Beatrice. Don't forget she was Norma Desmond on Broadway - she's definitely got the chops for Danvers, and if you need to hear a reminder, listen to "Off With Their Heads!" from last season's WONDERLAND.


Also, the general belief is that the upcoming Stuttgart production of Rebecca (starring Euro-musical theatre legends Pia Douwes (as Danvers) and Thomas Borchert) is the "Broadway tryout," meaning that although Uwe Kroger and every other Maxim was a tenor, Borchert, like Barbour is not.

There's some new songs as well as plenty of cuts from the original Vienna version planned for the English adaption as well.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/17/11 at 9:55pm

I just spent the last hour or so watching and listening to all things REBECCA. Mostly it's the one song, REBECCA over and over. I must say it is a very muscular song with some of the highest belting since WICKED. I've never heard any of the actresses mentioned above belt that high. At least one actress in one of the Euro versions goes into head.
The only actress I have heard with that sound, of the right age is Nancy Opel. I don't think Patti has those notes left.
But the Euro girls look younger made to look older onstage.
The whole thing looks pretty but kinda dour and a real downer.
The thing they love in those germanic countries, not so much here.

[newintown]

Posted: 10/18/11 at 9:17am

"Rebecca" is a pretty good book and a great movie; a musical of it will be a shoddy imitation, just like musicals of "Jane Eyre," "Emma," "Pride and Prejudice," "Gone With The Wind," "A Tale of Two Cities," etc.

I'll never really understand the idiotic hubris of people who think they can make a great work better with their lesser talent.

Of course, there'll always be enough lowbrows who love anything, as long as it's sung loud and high, to cheer them on. I suppose that's enough to keep them at it.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/18/11 at 10:15am

I'd love it if Susan Rigvava-Dumas revived Danvers. Her final "Rebecca" still gives me chills.

I do not like Pia Douwes' version at all. I think her voice sounds thin and there's no power in her final Rebecca. She recorded the english version of the title song. It's a studio recording and she does not go for the final high note.

Without Rigvava-Dumas, I only want Kuhn, who I also think looks the part.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/18/11 at 10:19am

"I'll never really understand the idiotic hubris of people who think they can make a great work better with their lesser talent."

You really need a new hobby.

[newintown]

Posted: 10/18/11 at 10:20am

Suggestions?

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/18/11 at 10:21am

In what way, exactly, do you think Judy Kuhn "looks the part"? If you're referring to Judith Anderson, then I don't see the resemblance at all.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/18/11 at 11:40am

No, I was referring to Vicky Lawrence.

I wasnt referring to resembling Judith Anderson at all.

Dark, forboding, obsessed, ...of course many actresses could fit that description, especially with makeup. I just think she'd be great and I expect she still has the notes...although she's older than I thought she was, Danvers' age isnt as important as if you have a good actress who can sing the role.

I think Nancy Opel could definitely do the role, but she strikes me as too small in stature.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/18/11 at 12:40pm

I'm with you, doodle. I actually saw Nancy Opel on the street one time when I was in the city and maybe it's cuz I'm 6'2" but she is a tiny woman.

I do wish Judy Kuhn was playing this part but I dunno..I could see Karen Mason working in the part.

[DeNada]

Posted: 10/18/11 at 12:57pm

Assuming the costuming is the same as it is in Vienna, they won't need much help to make Danvers look foreboding. Black dress, hair tightly swept back - a bit of pale makeup maybe - and whoever it is will look the part.

I'd have loved to see Judy Kuhn do it - she has EXACTLY the kind of voice that would suit Danvers, if she could still sing it - but Karen Mason looks the part at least (no idea if she can sing it, I'm not familiar with her as an actress).

Although I'm not sure about newintown's turn of phrase, as much as I enjoy parts of the score for REBECCA turning it into a popera really adds nothing to the material (and is almost certain to doom it to flop on Broadway). When Danvers is on stage, the show is mesmerising because she is the most interesting character in it (and in Vienna Susan Rigvava-Dumas was spellbindingly ethereal and creepy), but the rest of the material doesn't really measure up, particularly for I and Maxim (I has too many treacley goody-goody songs, Maxim is incredibly overwrought).

I would have assumed that Barbour would play Maxim, but if he's playing Favell that could be more interesting, definitely not his normal character type (and not much call for him to use his voice - maybe they've given him something else to sing other than his irritating Act 2 number.)

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/18/11 at 12:57pm

Just a reminder guys, this is a Eurotrash pop muzak / "Dance of the Vampires" musical adaptation of the story (complete with 'voguing' house servants and dancing zombie ghosts. Based on my love of the book, I agree names like Jill Paice and Betty Buckley would be fabulous if this were being written by John Michael La Chiusa or Stephen Sondheim, but as it is, we should honestly throw all hope to the wind and pray for a camp fest that will at least be worthy of this musical's destined to be 28 performances or less run.

To that end, I wish the Linda Eder, Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawfords of the world were being wooed for this. That's the vibe of this adaptation.

I wouldn't wish this musical on Judy Kuhn or Carolee Carmello.