Ben Sprecher News

Ben Sprecher, producer of the doomed Broadway musical Rebecca, was sentenced to probation today, following his August 2019 arrest for possession of child pornography.

Today's top stories: Betrayal begins previews, plus Broadway runs announced for A Christmas Carol and How I Learned to Drive!

According to the New York Post, Ben Sprecher, producer of the doomed Broadway musical Rebecca, was arrested today, August 13, for possession of child pornography.

A verdict has been reached in the most recent phase of the Rebecca the Musical scandal, as the producers Ben Sprecher and Louise Forlenza have been denied their motion to set aside the damages verdict reached in their case against former publicist Marc Thibodeau.

The seemingly never-ending saga of the ill-fated musical REBECCA, which cancelled its Broadway run in 2012, is at last coming to a close.

On the stand today in the trial was Ben Smith, an Australian property developer who at just under $2 million dollars has one of the largest stakes in the failed production.

According to Deadline, it was revealed in an opening argument that, after years of postponements, producers Ben Sprecher and Louise Florenza have indeed lost the rights to the musical.

The stage version of THE EXORCIST, which first debuted at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles in 2012, is making its UK debut just in time for Halloween.

A new production of The Exorcist, directed by Sean Mathias, will receive its UK premiere at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from Friday 21 October - Saturday 5 November 2016. The cast features Jenny Seagrove in the role of Chris, Peter Bowles as Father Merrin and Adam Garcia as Damien.

The stage version of THE EXORCIST, which first debuted at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles in 2012, will make its UK debut just in time for Halloween.

As of yesterday, May 12, REBECCA's publicist Marc Thibodeau has been found liable for sending emails that caused a potential investor to pull millions from the Broadway musical in its eleventh hour of need. Following this latest development, lawyer Ronald Russo, who represents REBECCA and its lead producer Ben Sprecher on all matters regarding Thibodeau, has issued a statement in response to the press agent's recent comments.

As reported last night, Broadway's ever-evolving REBECCA scandal continues, with press agent Marc Thibodeau having been found liable for sending emails that caused a potential investor to pull $2.25 million from the musical, a move that forced the project to a halt.

In the latest legal news from Broadway's ever-evolving REBECCA scandal, Deadline writes that press agent Marc Thibodeau has been found liable for sending emails that caused a potential investor to pull $2.25 million from the musical, a move that forced the project to a halt.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: Two classics begin off-Broadway, Brian Stokes Mitchell is feted at lunch, Darko Tresnjak directs KISS ME, KATE, and JASPER IN DEADLAND comes to Seattle!

As BroadwayWorld last reported in October, Rebecca producer Ben Sprecher is still working to bring the much-delayed musical to Broadway in Fall 2015. Fans need wait no longer for a taste of what the show will sound like though! Audio selections of 'Last Night,' 'She's Invincible,' 'I'll Never Forget Her Smile,' 'Free Now,' and 'Rebecca' have just been posted on the show's official website. CLICK HERE to check out clips featuring Lisa O'Hare, Pia Douwes, Sierra Boggess and Julian Ovenden.

As 2014 comes to a close, it seems only fitting to look back on the craziest moments of this year- and there were many. From the cancellations of major productions to onstage flubs and unpredictable audience behavior, 2014 was nothing if not buzz-worthy. Below, BroadwayWorld invites you to recall the most bizarre, ridiculous and peculiar things that happened on Broadway this year.

BroadwayWorld has just learned that a stage version of The Exorcist is currently in the works, and Tony nominee Sean Mathias is on board to direct the project. The play, adapted by John Pielmeier, enjoyed a run at Los Angeles' Geffen Playhouse in 2012, starring Richard Chamberlain and Brooke Shields. Production details have not yet been announced.

The New York Daily News reports that Mark Hotton, who in 2012 scammed the producers of REBECCA out of $65,000 and all-but extinguished the musical's plans for a Broadway run, was sentenced today, October 10, to almost three years (34 months) in federal prison.

Upon her return to Davenport's in Chicago, the theater & cabaret star talks about her voice and how she almost lost it.

Harlem's Mama Foundation for the Arts will celebrate its 15th Anniversary at its second annual Gala, which will take place at St. Martin's Cathedral (230 Lenox Avenue at 122nd Street) on Monday, June 16th from 6 - 9 PM. The special evening of food and entertainment -- which benefits Gospel for Teens, a program of the Mama Foundation for the Arts' School for Gospel, Jazz, and R&B Arts -- is graciously underwritten by Larry Scott and Lawrence Scott Events. Tickets for the Gala are $250.00 and $500 (VIP) and are now available by calling the Mama Foundation for the Arts at (212) 280-1045.