According to the New York Post, Ronald Russo , lawyer for producer Ben Sprecher has now said that 'Sprecher had been led to "Abrams" by shadowy Long Island businessman, Mark Hotton, who told him Abrams died before he could hand over the dough, sources have said. There also were three other investors Hotton told Sprecher about who supposedly promised another combined $2 million for the show, the sources have said. But "following an extensive search over the last week, I can now confirm that there is no evidence whatever that "Paul Abrams" or any of the other three investors brought to this production by Mr. Hotton, ever existed," said Sprecher's lawyer, Ronald Russo. The lawyer said they conducted an investigation in both the US and England.'
As previously reported, the Broadway production of REBECCA, which was to open this fall, has been delayed indefinitely and is now at the center of an investigation to determine if any criminal wrongdoing occured in the show's long road to Broadway.
This morning, October 3, the following letter was composed by one of the Principal cast members of REBECCA, Karen Mason, in hopes of clearing up the ongoing speculation of the cancelled Broadway prodution of REBECCA
Now according to the New York Times, the United States attorney's office is investigating whether the investor ever existed in the first place. Sprecher told NYT: "I never made up or fabricated any investor, and I never made up Paul Abrams." He also revealed that a new production of Rebecca is in the works that he 'hoped to mount soon, on Broadway or elsewhere.'
Ben Sprecher and Louise Forlenza, producers for Rebecca, the Musical, announced this afternoon that they were left with no option but to postpone the show. A new timeline has not been announced.
The offstage saga of REBECCA the musical continues to twist and turn with drama of its own. Today, Michael Riedel reports exclusively in the New York Post that, according to his sources, the show 'has been cancelled due to a lack of financing.'
As BroadwayWorld reported last week, REBECCA's lead producer Ben Sprecher recently confirmed the receipt of new financial commitments from investors to alleviate the $4.5 million gap in the musical's budget. Now according to the New York Times, the cast of the show has been notifoed that rehearsals will indeed begin on Monday, October 1.
Last night, Thursday, September 20, legendary Broadway director and 21-time Tony Award winner Harold Prince served as Master of Ceremonies for the the fourth-annual "Broadway Salutes," an industry-wide celebration to honor those who make Broadway great. The event was presented by The Broadway League and Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds (COBUG) and was once again held in the Times Square Visitors Center (7th Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets). Below, BroadwayWorld brings you coverage of Hal Prince, Laura Osnes, Nick Wyman, Carl Mulert and more at the event!
After sending an email to cast and creative team members as previously reported yesterday, September 20, REBECCA's lead producer Ben Sprecher has confirmed the receipt of new financial commitments from investors to alleviate the $4.5 million gap in the musical's budget, according to The New York Times' ArtsBeat blog.
According to The New York Times' ArtsBeat blog, producer Ben Sprecher of the Broadway musical Rebecca sent an email to the show's cast and crew today with details about the production's fate.
Multi-talented actress, singer, television host, playwright, songwriter and author Kathie Lee Gifford hosted this year's Broadway on Broadway this morning, Sunday, September 9th, presented by United Airlines and The New York Times. The event kicked off the 2012-2013 Broadway season with star performances from new shows and long-running favorites, accompanied by a live 30-piece live orchestra directed by Alex Lacamoire. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photos of the casts that participated in the event!
REBECCA, the new musical based on the classic novel by Daphne du Maurier novel, has delayed the start of its rehearsals by two weeks due to the death of a key investor responsible for a $4.5 million investment pool in the production . REBECCA was scheduled to begin rehearsals Monday, September 10 prior to an October 30 first preview and November 18 premiere at the Broadhurst Theatre.
Bullet for Adolf, the new comedy by Woody Harrelson and Frankie Hyman, has extended its run at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street). Originally scheduled to play its final performance on Sunday, September 9, the production will now play through Sunday, October 21.
Once upon a summer of '83, a young aspiring actor named Woody Harrelson became close pals with a Harlem-raised fellow named Frankie Hyman while they both worked a construction job in Houston. Eventually, they went their separate ways; one becoming famous for doing something other than playwriting and the other pursuing a career in writing, although these many years later he apparently hasn't written anything he would care to mention in a Playbill bio.
Two days after the death of its author, I had the pleasure of taking in director Michael Wilson's outstanding revival of The Best Man – one of the best evenings Broadway had to offer last season – for the third time. Gore Vidal most certainly went out with a landslide victory.
Woody Harrelson appeared on last night's 'The Colbert Report' on Comedy Central to discuss his new Off-Broadway play, BULLET FOR ADOLF. During the interview, the actor managed to unbutton his shirt to casually reveal a bit of advertising for the show. Check out the appearance below!
