THE SUPERCUT IS HERE! And there may or may not be a huge hint as to what the next episode in the season is going to be on. 😉 PS. These videos take a lot financially and morally. If you want to support the process, help make creative decisions and become friends with a great community then check out the Patreon! www.patreon.com/witw
@Wait in the Wings I saw in your community post that you are planning to submit this to a film festival. Normally I wouldn’t quibble about spelling mistakes, but you left the “s” of of “investors” in a direct quote around 48:02. Just thought you might want to know if you can fix that before submitting. Good luck!
@@jamiekamihachi3135 People that are passionate about something. Like REALLY passionate about something can make that passion bleed through the screen no matter what it is
@@samwill7259 Yeah, I had the same feeling when watching EmpLemon’s videos about NASCAR and pro wrestling. I had no prior interest, and unlike musicals, I don’t see myself watching them, but I loved how he could condense some of their most interesting history into beautiful narratives. Wait in the Wings does the same. I like to think that I can do the same sometimes. I have autism, and like a lot of autistic people, I spill my special interests on others all the time. I can be more reserved around strangers, but my mom, my best friend, and especially my girlfriend, who’s also autistic, often allow me to let them know about what I’m passionate about at any given time. I love when my feelings rub off on them. I often fantasize about being a successful rock musician, and I’d like to think my interviews would be like those of Neil Peart (RIP) of the band Rush. No matter how technical he got or how obscure his references got, he kept people paying attention with his sheer love of his craft.
'You can't tell a crime story on stage' But Agatha Christie did several times, the prime example being The Mousetrap which is still running in the West End after 60 years
I think it's more that you can't tell a crime story *musical*. It's incredibly difficult for one huge reason: Musicals rely on characters being able to sing their true feelings to an audience. But if one of those characters is meant to secretly be a bad guy, that means they can't be honest with the audience.
@@ConnorNotyerbidness rich people usually just start rich because their family was already rich to an extent. A rich person who knows what they're doing get richer. Poor people are generally trapped in a cycle of poverty no matter how competent and capable they are.
Only Agatha Christie herself could have come up with that twist. I audibly gasped. I cannot believe this whole fiasco was basically a scooby-doo mystery brought to life.
"Alright, gang, let's see who's really behind the mask!" *Gasp* "Our publicist??" "And I would've gotten away with it too if I didn't create those accounts with my own IP address!"
I live in South Korea and it’s strange that shows that weren’t as popular on broadway is really popular here. Rebecca is one example, others being Jekyll and Hyde or Elisabeth
Yes I was surprised too! I saw so many people crowded around the theater while Rebecca was on the banner. I love mystery and horror elements in stories, so it was really refreshing to see a musical embrace that atmosphere.
It makes me sad "Rebecca" never opened. What makes me even sadder is that this entire debacle pretty much extinguished any little hope left that "Elisabeth" or any other Kunze or Levay productions would ever get an English adaptation.
I'm especially sad about Elisabeth! We'll always have the Takarazuka Revue productions, for which I'm grateful, but I would have still loved a fully English version!
I'll say this: I love Elisabeth with all my heart, but I also kind of wonder if that musical probably never coming to Broadway is a blessing in disguise.
The idea that a gothic mystery novel not being a good chance for a blockbuster seems strange to me after the success of Webber's Phantom of the Opera, also based on a gothic mystery novel. Not saying that it would have necessarily been a blockbuster, but the rationale seems unfounded.
No, you're right. i also find it so hard to believe that this would be impossible to get off the ground. It seems like what Broadway shows are made for. I couldn't even imagine this flopping, especially when the IP is also well known. I hope it can somehow get another chance in my lifetime here in the states.
Rebecca was and still is one of the biggest musicals in Germany, with popular singers like Pia Douwes, Jan Ammann, etc. It's super strange that they think like this and so horrible for the people who did everything to perform in this show!
I saw a subtitled bootleg of ‘Rebecca’ years ago and it’s a beautiful show. It’s unfortunate that, at least in America, the show is overshadowed by unlucky and shady business decisions to the point where I can’t see anyone trying to bring it to Broadway again for awhile. Though if Carrie has taught us anything, it’s that even the most chaotic production can eventually find a way to make something work, especially with the right people.
I have literally just finished re-listening to the Hadestown doc and was about to listen to the Rebecca disaster again when I saw this supercut was posted!! Perfect timing!
@@liamj6502 Click on this channel (Wait in the Wings), go to videos, scroll to posted 9 months ago and it's called the Epic History of Hadestown. (I don't trust random youtube links in comments and this video is relatively easy to find from this comment section)
This story is so, so wild. I feel so bad for Micheal Kunze. He did such an amazing job on the book and lyrics and worked so hard for his vision. I really hope that someday Rebecca the Musical can make it on Broadway.
Stories like this make me so mad. I'm barely halfway through so I don't know all the trips and turns, but hearing the complicated production timeline makes me really upset about how much of the theater world is the playground of the uber wealthy who can dictate the way art is made and shown. Its just a shame.
I mean I just checked out some of the demo tracks for the English version of Rebecca, and one of the songs does sound like the main court theme from the original trilogy. But there's no literal murder in this story so how is that gonna work for AA
@@OhtheHughmanity I was also talking about the show's production. I was just remarking that "Manderley on Fire" sounds like the music during cross examination. To my knowledge though, no one got murdered during the show's production, and AA typically does murder cases.
@@castlegarden2999 it could be very interesting and Phoenix would be trying to solve the murder of the mysterious investor and slowly learning he isn’t real
@@castlegarden2999 the show was murdered! (No but can you imagine someone hiring PW because their show was murdered and he's like we don't do that, and then a few days later Maya turns on the TV and someone from the show was murdered and the person who came to the AA offices was the primary suspect so now Phoenix is on the case)
Funny thing is: Rebecca, Elisabeth and Tanz der Vampire have all been sucessfully running in Germany and other european and asian countries for decades, but never in the US or the UK. WTF is wrong with the anglo-american musical theatre scene?
Rebecca is a great musical, and the making of Rebecca sounds like it would be one helluva miniseries. Lies, deceptions, false identities... all under the glittering lights of the Great White Way. Someone like Netflix of FX needs to get in on this.
best part is thinking about the producers fighting for their lives trying to find funding, getting caught up in wirefraud, dealing with the FBI and then it cuts to kunze frollicking around the theater in blissful unawareness
**random movies/cartoons/books/interior design/anything at all** "Great let's make a musical about it, here's the money" **world-famous musical which is already a success everywhere** "Hmmmm not sure, probably won't work"
Jeez, living in Central Europe, Rebecca is an absolute musical staple for me. I didn't even know it was set to be staged in the US, let alone the scandal around it. Fantastic storytelling & editing - you definitely deserve more subscriptions! ♡
Hearing names like Jill Paice and Nick Wyman -- actors who I've seen in other projects -- makes me happy in hindsight, knowing that their careers weren't dead in the water with this scandal. But my GOD, what a scandal it was. My sister also has very distinct memories of seeing advertisements for this show in Playbills that we still own. THANK YOU for this video!!!
I've always wondered why nobody ever tried to make a stage adaptation of this book, it's one of my favorites of all time and seems perfect for theatre. Apparently they did! This is so interesting!!
Wow, it's pretty impressive that this Albert Hatchclock guy won best picture in his directing debut. I wonder how he went after that, seems like he had some real talent
Phenomenal work. I understand leaving out the troubling (to put it lightly) information about Sprecher that came to light years later, as it didn't pertain directly to the story. However, I do also find it a bit troubling since without that information, he comes across as a fairly sympathetic character, when I'd argue he deserves no sympathy. Still, I suspect anyone interested in this story will look into it further. And, um, trigger warnings are definitely warranted.
They found over 5000 images and videos on his computer of chiIdren as young as infants being moIested, and the judge only sentenced Sprecher to probation because he “showed remorse” and because he “went through a very traumatic professional experience.” 🙄 I wouldn’t be surprised if the judge was a fellow pedow tbh, they always look out for each other.
I’d say that he was a sympathetic character to some extent; key word WAS. I mean, if you what he did, he’s obviously a perv & he deserves whatever misfortune befalls him. But during Rebecca, he genuinely just wanted to put on an amazing show & prove that he could be a great producer. He’a not a good person & I do not condone, defend, or excuse his possession of (REDACTED), but I can feel some sympathy for having an amazing show stolen from him by a sleazy conman
curious fact: the novel Rebecca is accused of plagiarizing the brazilian novel A Sucessora (The Successor) by Carolina Nabuco, who was published for years prior to Rebecca and has a very simililar story of a new wife having to deal with libing in the shadows of her new husbands wife in a house full of secrets and being tormented by the obsessed housekeeper. The book never became an oscar winning movie like Rebecca but became successful telenovela in the 70s, starring some of Brazil's most respected actors like Suzana Viera, Rubens de Falco and Nathália Timberg but having 125 episodes to be broadcasted almost daily and while filming as it goes, it doesnt follow the novel closely.
"Rebecca" was my introduction to the European Musical Theatre - I've watched a 240p b**tleg of the original Vienna production some time ago., and fell in love with Kunze's work. And it still makes me incredibly sad, that the show was robbed of it's Broadway production...
every once in a while i come across a long form video about a topic i have no knowledge of or investment in, and it blows me away. this is definitely one of them, and i am shocked this doesn't have more views. amazing job!
This could have been the next big hit for Broadway. Yet it didn't happen. I feel bad for the people who worked so hard only to have it fall down as soon as it got out of the gate. This could legit make a good play itself
I’ve never been to a single stage production in my life and have never really been interested in musical theatre… until I found this channel. I’ve been binging your videos NON-STOP. They’re all so amazingly made!
That burning staircase was impressive. I wouldn't have minded seeing that live and in person. Although, I probably would have requested a seat near the emergency exit. I'm not THAT much of a thrill seeker after all. 🤷♀️
Its telling that the fraudster not only played those attached to the musical but pulled a con on the authorities even more and only got a slap on the wrist out of it compared to others. Indeed if they were fully aware of his past mischief even using the same fake names again but didn't care they Aided\Abetted his crime. This is a cautionary tale of how making deals with white collar criminals or any criminal can backfire in a spectacular fashion that govt. should of faced Class Action Suit as soon as it came out. Trust this lead Broadway to get a background check into those involved that an ordinary person would have trouble passing since its easier to steal from those when their dreams are involved than a cynic...
As someone who has just installed the Production back into the Raimund Theatre in Vienna, with a Focus on that staircase and the final scene being a big part of my job this was a very interesting watch. Thank you for this video!
The Algorithm sent me here - first time watcher - and good lord I'm astonished at the lack of views/engagement on your videos! Your skill for editing together stock footage/film references/IRL clips to form a narrative only bolsters your already well-written script. I'll toss a Like and Subscribe your way and hope it helps. You more than deserve it. 🤗
This is one of my favorite video essays on youtube, the production quality and the way you frame the narrative are just brilliant! I can't wait to rewatch it again another 1000 times! Keep up the great work!
Here's what I can't help wondering; if the publicist hadn't sabotaged their last-ditch effort with funding from an actual investor, could the show have moved forward and been profitable???
I think they'd still have been short on funding? Because that investor wasn't covering everything -- the rest was a fake bridge loan from the fraudster.
My ADHD really enjoys the way you recommend your other videos. I've been binging your channel while making donuts. Thank you for your service, good man
This was the best thing I’ve ever seen on youtube. The absolute quality of this. It’s an actual documentary, and it’s RIVETING. This deserves so many more views!
The cast of Rebecca performed some of the score at a Gypsy of the Year, and I was fortunate to have been in the audience by chance. The music/singing was absolutely incredible. Also, I went through your other videos and didn't see anything about it, but is there a story worth telling regarding the failed production of When Pigs Fly? Bob Mackie was doing the costumes, and they abruptly shut down relatively close to their opening.
Does anyone else think the trouble with getting "Rebecca" to Broadway is why we haven't seen "Elisabeth" come yet either (I'm *OBSESSED* with the song "I Belong To Me" (Ich Gehor Nur Mir)
I love that Sprecher was so consistently incompetent that he looked like a fraudster and it took a whole ass investigation to reveal that he was just bad at his job
I saw the German version of Rebecca in Stuttgart a few year ago. It war really good, especially Pia douves as Mrs Danvers really killed it. I had no idea there was so much scandal.
Your video got me to listen to the soundtrack and “slime tutorial” although, it was hard to find. Honestly I fell in love with the set design and like whole vibe. I really hope it can make a comeback some day
I am still so sad about this,,, I watched Rebecca after watching this video a while ago and fell absolutely in love with the German production. I found some of the English demos and the Rebecca reprise was incredible! It's just sad to think it won't get a complete English production because of this :( On the bright side, it at least introduced me to Pia Douwes, who is one of my favorite broadway actresses atm
I found your channel today and I'm obsessed. You are an incredibly skilled storyteller with impeccable research skills and a keen eye for a story. Keep making content!
I would love to see a video about the 2003 revival production of Little Shop of Horrors. That was such a fun musical with great effects and sets but it’s not really talked about, especially the history and the behind the scenes. Thank you!
Bruh when you said who sent the emails I literally gasped and had to pause the video for a minute I can’t really blame them though, they were right and just wanted to help someone who was being exceedingly generous. If Sprecher had just listened to them and done something about it, they wouldn’t have felt the need to scare away the angel investor. Not that it may have mattered, since the other loan they were depending on was a sham. I do feel horrible for the cast and crew though.
This story is so wild. Thanks for taking the time to put it together so people like me can learn about it. Although I still have mixed emotions about some of the key players, I feel so bad for the actors and those involved who didn’t know and could’ve really skyrocketed their careers off this
honestly i just hope that someday somehow an english production of rebecca makes it to the stage in its full glory because it's honestly amazing and deserves it 100% :-( someone else commented this already but like... carrie got a revival after it's whole ordeal!! so maybe, in the future, a successful english production of rebecca is still in the cards... ?
This became a true-crime podcast real quick. This was fascinating. I don't know anything about Broadway, your video was in my recommended feed, and I'm definitely not disappointed.
The Olympic Diner! I know EXACTLY where that is. I just saw “Rebecca” in London. Yeah, it’s a bare-bones version of it, but the performances were fantastic. There’s a good show in there.
The story of Rebecca the Musical is absolutely fascinating! It's like a real life mystery and the resolution is so amazing! It makes you appreciate in part what must go into the creation of any Broadway show. In this instance a great show and many talented people suffered from the actions of just a couple of people. I hope someday someone can still get this done.
Well done to this documentary and just discovering your amazing works and insights I've become a subscriber. This is a wild story with much tragedy, mystery, and turns but also I felt shown a light to how elitist and how much money is needed to the point of being not impossible but being improvable. Only a few are able to enter and decide what can be considered a Broadway show and 500 seat minimum required for Tony eligibility. After watching this video I looked into the three "Smaller Theaters" in New York that Sprecher built and owns and read on Wiki about his Stage 42 (known as the Little Shubert Theatre until 2015) "In 2011, theater producers speculated that Stage 42 might become a Tony-eligible Broadway house, by the addition of one seat to bring it to the 500 seat minimum required for Tony eligibility; this has not happened, as going to 500 seats would require negotiating new contracts with the unions, raising costs further." To built and own three Theaters in New York would make me think you are wealthy and a proud success yet as seen here despite that he was still be seen as a low end producer by Broadway society as your not super rich tells me how hard it is to enter and do anything unless your super rich or have the luck of connections pre established. In this video the producers tunnel vision to a dream and desperate enough didn't investigate & do enough background checks but wanted to be true the promises they were told. They took a lack of research gamble (which is abnormal as majority of business people are actually not gamblers and will go the green light only after told by careful research and expects giving a presentation that will kill their worries) and in the end many got hurt. This is an education history for any hopeful Producers that before you start something and bring many onboard that can uproot and/or block opportunities to them you must ensure you have more then a promise (even legally signed contacts isn't good enough) but that the money is authentic, in the proper accounts, and researched carefully to give protections. I'm also shocked by how little the punishment was to one's responsible and had purposely hurt others got (greatly when I read how others might get longer sentences that questions fairness) in the end. If you buy a car from anywhere don't just research the car and prices but Whom you are buying from also.
Came here today (12/12/2022) after hearing they're going to give it a trial in London next fall. I'm interested more in the behind-the-scenes drama of attempting this again than I am in the show itself.
So... the scam artist was easily googleable to be a suspected scam artist and none of the other producers bothered to check who they were working with? Not even quickly, for five minutes? They didn't ever go "huh, I should probably check out this guy who has a bunch of wealthy investors no one's ever heard of before"??? If this was a story from the 90s, fair enough, information was not as accessible then, but come on... that's just plain stupidity at that point There's a saying: if something looks too good to be true, it isn't
THE SUPERCUT IS HERE! And there may or may not be a huge hint as to what the next episode in the season is going to be on. 😉
PS. These videos take a lot financially and morally. If you want to support the process, help make creative decisions and become friends with a great community then check out the Patreon! www.patreon.com/witw
@Wait in the Wings
I saw in your community post that you are planning to submit this to a film festival. Normally I wouldn’t quibble about spelling mistakes, but you left the “s” of of “investors” in a direct quote around 48:02. Just thought you might want to know if you can fix that before submitting. Good luck!
Honestly, this is compelling enough in itself that it should be made into a musical 😆
Superbia? I cannot wait!!
wait, "morally"? Are you out there committing crimes and other unethical acts to get these videos out?
Investigating journalism isn't cheap. Have you watched "The Fourth Estate "? NYT documentary and Managing editor discusses costs. One Love
I didn't know that I needed a Defunctland style uber-youtuber for theatre productions. But I guess I know I need it now!
Yeah this was really entertaining :D
I don’t even like musicals that much but I was glued to my phone screen for a hour watching this.
@@jamiekamihachi3135 People that are passionate about something. Like REALLY passionate about something can make that passion bleed through the screen no matter what it is
Defunctland is credited as a collaborator in the opening credits.
@@samwill7259 Yeah, I had the same feeling when watching EmpLemon’s videos about NASCAR and pro wrestling. I had no prior interest, and unlike musicals, I don’t see myself watching them, but I loved how he could condense some of their most interesting history into beautiful narratives. Wait in the Wings does the same.
I like to think that I can do the same sometimes. I have autism, and like a lot of autistic people, I spill my special interests on others all the time. I can be more reserved around strangers, but my mom, my best friend, and especially my girlfriend, who’s also autistic, often allow me to let them know about what I’m passionate about at any given time. I love when my feelings rub off on them. I often fantasize about being a successful rock musician, and I’d like to think my interviews would be like those of Neil Peart (RIP) of the band Rush. No matter how technical he got or how obscure his references got, he kept people paying attention with his sheer love of his craft.
I was thinking, “Wow, the backstory of this show would make a GREAT musical.” Then I realized it’s already been made.
It was called “The Producers.”
HA
YOU DIDNT-
Not exactly the same, quite a few differences here. For 1, they actually wanted this show to succeed.
@@1dramaprincess Yeah, exactly. So many people are saying this is just like The Producers, but the only similarity is that both involved money scams.
@@DogNamedWatson Yes I think this would make a great film. I found this video fascinating
'You can't tell a crime story on stage' But Agatha Christie did several times, the prime example being The Mousetrap which is still running in the West End after 60 years
Also the mUrDeR at haVerSHAM maAnOr!
(The Play That Goes Wrong)
I think it's more that you can't tell a crime story *musical*. It's incredibly difficult for one huge reason: Musicals rely on characters being able to sing their true feelings to an audience. But if one of those characters is meant to secretly be a bad guy, that means they can't be honest with the audience.
Yeah. Rich people don't actually know what they're doing. They never do
@@anjetto1 uh
No thats usually poor people
Rich people get rich and stay rich Because they know what they are doing
@@ConnorNotyerbidness rich people usually just start rich because their family was already rich to an extent. A rich person who knows what they're doing get richer.
Poor people are generally trapped in a cycle of poverty no matter how competent and capable they are.
Only Agatha Christie herself could have come up with that twist. I audibly gasped. I cannot believe this whole fiasco was basically a scooby-doo mystery brought to life.
"Alright, gang, let's see who's really behind the mask!"
*Gasp*
"Our publicist??"
"And I would've gotten away with it too if I didn't create those accounts with my own IP address!"
I live in South Korea and it’s strange that shows that weren’t as popular on broadway is really popular here. Rebecca is one example, others being Jekyll and Hyde or Elisabeth
Yes I was surprised too! I saw so many people crowded around the theater while Rebecca was on the banner. I love mystery and horror elements in stories, so it was really refreshing to see a musical embrace that atmosphere.
Hunchback of Notre Dame seems to be popular everywhere but the US
@@jamesrawlins735 that sucks! I love Hunchback...
well to be fair there hasn't been an english version of elisabeth yet
@@veeskepsies oop sorry didn't know that
Oh wow, this is an AMAZINGLY produced video. Really really interesting story, too!!
Saraaaaahhhhhh 💖 crossover episode
It makes me sad "Rebecca" never opened. What makes me even sadder is that this entire debacle pretty much extinguished any little hope left that "Elisabeth" or any other Kunze or Levay productions would ever get an English adaptation.
That is mine too. I adore Elisabeth. I wish they would at least release a concept album in English.
I'm especially sad about Elisabeth! We'll always have the Takarazuka Revue productions, for which I'm grateful, but I would have still loved a fully English version!
@@theladyfausta Same! I am trying to learn German, and it is so slow going!
I didn't realize at all there is no English version! My mother played the album a lot when I was a child, makes me glad I grew up speaking German.
I'll say this: I love Elisabeth with all my heart, but I also kind of wonder if that musical probably never coming to Broadway is a blessing in disguise.
The idea that a gothic mystery novel not being a good chance for a blockbuster seems strange to me after the success of Webber's Phantom of the Opera, also based on a gothic mystery novel. Not saying that it would have necessarily been a blockbuster, but the rationale seems unfounded.
It’d be even better now considering how big crime content and musicals with dark plot points has gotten.
No, you're right. i also find it so hard to believe that this would be impossible to get off the ground. It seems like what Broadway shows are made for. I couldn't even imagine this flopping, especially when the IP is also well known. I hope it can somehow get another chance in my lifetime here in the states.
Rebecca was and still is one of the biggest musicals in Germany, with popular singers like Pia Douwes, Jan Ammann, etc.
It's super strange that they think like this and so horrible for the people who did everything to perform in this show!
@@XDisglinX
I can believe that. I am just amazed that no american producer thought it was a good bet.
Ok just as I saw this comment the part of the video where he says that happened
The saddest part about this is that the way you've described it I would have really loved to see Rebecca.
I saw a subtitled bootleg of ‘Rebecca’ years ago and it’s a beautiful show. It’s unfortunate that, at least in America, the show is overshadowed by unlucky and shady business decisions to the point where I can’t see anyone trying to bring it to Broadway again for awhile. Though if Carrie has taught us anything, it’s that even the most chaotic production can eventually find a way to make something work, especially with the right people.
I've got an idea for how it could hit the stage. It's a long shot, but hear me out:
First, they make Rebecca: The Musical: The Musical.
If Carrie taught us anything, it's that shows with massive staircases as their centerpiece are doomed to fail
@@dvw1111 to be fair, the staircase in Rebecca had more of a purpose than the one in Carrie.
@@EinDose Maybe someone will write a film about the whole debacle and that can drum up enough interest to get the show going again. *crosses finger*
I have literally just finished re-listening to the Hadestown doc and was about to listen to the Rebecca disaster again when I saw this supercut was posted!! Perfect timing!
Ah yes...just..as...I...planned it?
@@WaitintheWings truly you are a master of planning
Unrelated: link to the Hadestown doc?
@@liamj6502 Click on this channel (Wait in the Wings), go to videos, scroll to posted 9 months ago and it's called the Epic History of Hadestown. (I don't trust random youtube links in comments and this video is relatively easy to find from this comment section)
This story is so, so wild.
I feel so bad for Micheal Kunze. He did such an amazing job on the book and lyrics and worked so hard for his vision.
I really hope that someday Rebecca the Musical can make it on Broadway.
If it makes you feel less bad for him: Rebecca was a pretty big success in German speaking countries, so we're his other musicals.
It will one day. If Carrie can make it, anything can.
@@lenerdhuhn rebecca was a huge success too in korea!
Just watched it in Vienna! They have english subtitles too. Wow. What a show!!
Stories like this make me so mad. I'm barely halfway through so I don't know all the trips and turns, but hearing the complicated production timeline makes me really upset about how much of the theater world is the playground of the uber wealthy who can dictate the way art is made and shown. Its just a shame.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again this would make a great Ace Attorney case
I mean I just checked out some of the demo tracks for the English version of Rebecca, and one of the songs does sound like the main court theme from the original trilogy.
But there's no literal murder in this story so how is that gonna work for AA
@@castlegarden2999 I meant the show’s production
@@OhtheHughmanity I was also talking about the show's production. I was just remarking that "Manderley on Fire" sounds like the music during cross examination.
To my knowledge though, no one got murdered during the show's production, and AA typically does murder cases.
@@castlegarden2999 it could be very interesting and Phoenix would be trying to solve the murder of the mysterious investor and slowly learning he isn’t real
@@castlegarden2999 the show was murdered!
(No but can you imagine someone hiring PW because their show was murdered and he's like we don't do that, and then a few days later Maya turns on the TV and someone from the show was murdered and the person who came to the AA offices was the primary suspect so now Phoenix is on the case)
Funny thing is: Rebecca, Elisabeth and Tanz der Vampire have all been sucessfully running in Germany and other european and asian countries for decades, but never in the US or the UK.
WTF is wrong with the anglo-american musical theatre scene?
My guess would be…a lot.
Disney.
'Can't tell a crime story onstage'
Macbeth: Am I a joke to you?!
Rebecca is a great musical, and the making of Rebecca sounds like it would be one helluva miniseries. Lies, deceptions, false identities... all under the glittering lights of the Great White Way.
Someone like Netflix of FX needs to get in on this.
' "Rebeca the musical" the production. The musical'
Ryan Murphy someone's calling!
American Crime Story: Rebecca
best part is thinking about the producers fighting for their lives trying to find funding, getting caught up in wirefraud, dealing with the FBI and then it cuts to kunze frollicking around the theater in blissful unawareness
**random movies/cartoons/books/interior design/anything at all** "Great let's make a musical about it, here's the money"
**world-famous musical which is already a success everywhere** "Hmmmm not sure, probably won't work"
Jeez, living in Central Europe, Rebecca is an absolute musical staple for me. I didn't even know it was set to be staged in the US, let alone the scandal around it. Fantastic storytelling & editing - you definitely deserve more subscriptions! ♡
Hearing names like Jill Paice and Nick Wyman -- actors who I've seen in other projects -- makes me happy in hindsight, knowing that their careers weren't dead in the water with this scandal. But my GOD, what a scandal it was. My sister also has very distinct memories of seeing advertisements for this show in Playbills that we still own. THANK YOU for this video!!!
I've always wondered why nobody ever tried to make a stage adaptation of this book, it's one of my favorites of all time and seems perfect for theatre. Apparently they did! This is so interesting!!
Incredible video. The reveal of who sent the emails truly had me stunned
Wow, it's pretty impressive that this Albert Hatchclock guy won best picture in his directing debut. I wonder how he went after that, seems like he had some real talent
*US directing debut. He had directed many, many British films before Rebecca.
@@ericjohnson9623 whoosh
"Hey Mark we have a new customer who wants to buy a car"
Mark : Sure what's there name ?"
"Rebecca"
Mark : (Fraudulent sweating)
Phenomenal work. I understand leaving out the troubling (to put it lightly) information about Sprecher that came to light years later, as it didn't pertain directly to the story. However, I do also find it a bit troubling since without that information, he comes across as a fairly sympathetic character, when I'd argue he deserves no sympathy. Still, I suspect anyone interested in this story will look into it further. And, um, trigger warnings are definitely warranted.
Holy moly ! I looked it up. I yehh I'm surprised it wasn't really mentioned.
A head's up for anyone and everyone: he's a complete sicko. All I can add is that I wish him the very best of the very worst.
Just googled it, horrible really. CP charges.
They found over 5000 images and videos on his computer of chiIdren as young as infants being moIested, and the judge only sentenced Sprecher to probation because he “showed remorse” and because he “went through a very traumatic professional experience.” 🙄
I wouldn’t be surprised if the judge was a fellow pedow tbh, they always look out for each other.
I’d say that he was a sympathetic character to some extent; key word WAS. I mean, if you what he did, he’s obviously a perv & he deserves whatever misfortune befalls him. But during Rebecca, he genuinely just wanted to put on an amazing show & prove that he could be a great producer.
He’a not a good person & I do not condone, defend, or excuse his possession of (REDACTED), but I can feel some sympathy for having an amazing show stolen from him by a sleazy conman
curious fact: the novel Rebecca is accused of plagiarizing the brazilian novel A Sucessora (The Successor) by Carolina Nabuco, who was published for years prior to Rebecca and has a very simililar story of a new wife having to deal with libing in the shadows of her new husbands wife in a house full of secrets and being tormented by the obsessed housekeeper. The book never became an oscar winning movie like Rebecca but became successful telenovela in the 70s, starring some of Brazil's most respected actors like Suzana Viera, Rubens de Falco and Nathália Timberg but having 125 episodes to be broadcasted almost daily and while filming as it goes, it doesnt follow the novel closely.
"Rebecca" was my introduction to the European Musical Theatre - I've watched a 240p b**tleg of the original Vienna production some time ago., and fell in love with Kunze's work. And it still makes me incredibly sad, that the show was robbed of it's Broadway production...
I love the Clue-inspired intro for this video, but man. The story behind this musical is absolutely BUCK WILD. Fantastic documentary!
every once in a while i come across a long form video about a topic i have no knowledge of or investment in, and it blows me away. this is definitely one of them, and i am shocked this doesn't have more views. amazing job!
I’ve watched this a few times and I love it more each time. Thank you for this supercut! Your content is so good, literally TV-quality!
You're too nice! Thank you :D
This mystery and documentary would make an amazing live action true crime miniseries.
This could have been the next big hit for Broadway. Yet it didn't happen. I feel bad for the people who worked so hard only to have it fall down as soon as it got out of the gate. This could legit make a good play itself
Oh I agree...later this year there is a west end production opening so maybe if that does well it will come to Broadway at last.
So honored to be part of this, thanks again Brendon!
On behalf of the actors, writers and crew, I know where NOT to buy a car!
Sweet! I've been waiting for the supercut of the Rebecca the Musical saga!
Enjoy! Be sure to stick around for the new ending!
I’ve never been to a single stage production in my life and have never really been interested in musical theatre… until I found this channel. I’ve been binging your videos NON-STOP. They’re all so amazingly made!
That burning staircase was impressive. I wouldn't have minded seeing that live and in person. Although, I probably would have requested a seat near the emergency exit. I'm not THAT much of a thrill seeker after all. 🤷♀️
Its telling that the fraudster not only played those attached to the musical but pulled a con on the authorities even more and only got a slap on the wrist out of it compared to others. Indeed if they were fully aware of his past mischief even using the same fake names again but didn't care they Aided\Abetted his crime. This is a cautionary tale of how making deals with white collar criminals or any criminal can backfire in a spectacular fashion that govt. should of faced Class Action Suit as soon as it came out. Trust this lead Broadway to get a background check into those involved that an ordinary person would have trouble passing since its easier to steal from those when their dreams are involved than a cynic...
This was one hell of a ride. You did an amazing job on the feel of the video, felt like I was watching a show on a crime channel sometimes! 10/10!
This whole saga is like Mel Brooks’ ‘The Producers’ crossed with House of Cards
As someone who has just installed the Production back into the Raimund Theatre in Vienna, with a Focus on that staircase and the final scene being a big part of my job this was a very interesting watch. Thank you for this video!
Ich freu mich drauf! :)
They definitely dug up a curse in that ancient stream in London
just a breathtaking level of documentary craft to see on youtube. hats off to the entire WITW team
The Algorithm sent me here - first time watcher - and good lord I'm astonished at the lack of views/engagement on your videos! Your skill for editing together stock footage/film references/IRL clips to form a narrative only bolsters your already well-written script. I'll toss a Like and Subscribe your way and hope it helps. You more than deserve it. 🤗
Welcome to the crazy and awesome world of Broadway shows that became famous for the wrong reasons.
This is one of my favorite video essays on youtube, the production quality and the way you frame the narrative are just brilliant! I can't wait to rewatch it again another 1000 times! Keep up the great work!
Here's what I can't help wondering; if the publicist hadn't sabotaged their last-ditch effort with funding from an actual investor, could the show have moved forward and been profitable???
I think they'd still have been short on funding? Because that investor wasn't covering everything -- the rest was a fake bridge loan from the fraudster.
They could have found new investors after the show opened if it was hit.
I mean all in all its Sprecher's fault. If I was the publicist I also would've been warning investors lol. The whole thing was plagued with crime.
My ADHD really enjoys the way you recommend your other videos. I've been binging your channel while making donuts. Thank you for your service, good man
This is so above and beyond, I’m enamored with it. Thank you for your hard work digging into this story!
I'm not blushing, you are! Thank YOU for watching and the kind words!
Love the ‘Pepe Silvia’ post-it note on the timeline board. Such a great touch on a fantastic video!
This was the best thing I’ve ever seen on youtube. The absolute quality of this. It’s an actual documentary, and it’s RIVETING. This deserves so many more views!
The cast of Rebecca performed some of the score at a Gypsy of the Year, and I was fortunate to have been in the audience by chance. The music/singing was absolutely incredible.
Also, I went through your other videos and didn't see anything about it, but is there a story worth telling regarding the failed production of When Pigs Fly? Bob Mackie was doing the costumes, and they abruptly shut down relatively close to their opening.
* Sits quietly and waits for people to realize what's coming *
Does anyone else think the trouble with getting "Rebecca" to Broadway is why we haven't seen "Elisabeth" come yet either (I'm *OBSESSED* with the song "I Belong To Me" (Ich Gehor Nur Mir)
I don’t even watch musicals or visit the theatre but I’m so invested in your channel and all the stuff behind it lmao
I love that Sprecher was so consistently incompetent that he looked like a fraudster and it took a whole ass investigation to reveal that he was just bad at his job
Nothing better the a WITW upload. Always excited to watch these.
I saw the German version of Rebecca in Stuttgart a few year ago. It war really good, especially Pia douves as Mrs Danvers really killed it. I had no idea there was so much scandal.
Glad to hear it's still going strong in Germany.
@@WhoTookMyMirr It is, in fact, there's going to be another production this fall in Vienna
@@baseliacaliga saw it recently, Nienke Latten is amazing as ‘ich’!
Your video got me to listen to the soundtrack and “slime tutorial” although, it was hard to find. Honestly I fell in love with the set design and like whole vibe. I really hope it can make a comeback some day
I audibly said "oh my god" when you got to the twist at the end. Fascinating story brilliantly told
Pointing out the obvious here, but a play about the failure of Rebecca The Musical would he an amazing story.
"Rebecca: The Musicial: The Play"
I went to Vienna last week just to see this show! It was FANTASTIC!
I just screamed OUT LOUD when I realised what is coming next
I am still so sad about this,,, I watched Rebecca after watching this video a while ago and fell absolutely in love with the German production. I found some of the English demos and the Rebecca reprise was incredible! It's just sad to think it won't get a complete English production because of this :( On the bright side, it at least introduced me to Pia Douwes, who is one of my favorite broadway actresses atm
It‘s just been announced that Rebecca will play in London Fall 2023
I found your channel today and I'm obsessed. You are an incredibly skilled storyteller with impeccable research skills and a keen eye for a story. Keep making content!
I think I know what the next episode is but I think I need to "come to my senses" first.
Not me scaring my cat with how loud I said WHAT when the email culprit was revealed.
truly incredible that this high quality documentary content is available for free
I would love to see a video about the 2003 revival production of Little Shop of Horrors. That was such a fun musical with great effects and sets but it’s not really talked about, especially the history and the behind the scenes. Thank you!
DAYS TIL COLLAPSE transitions are great, props to the video editor.
Bruh when you said who sent the emails I literally gasped and had to pause the video for a minute
I can’t really blame them though, they were right and just wanted to help someone who was being exceedingly generous. If Sprecher had just listened to them and done something about it, they wouldn’t have felt the need to scare away the angel investor. Not that it may have mattered, since the other loan they were depending on was a sham. I do feel horrible for the cast and crew though.
it's way past my bedtime, but watching this was totally worth it. I DID NOT SEE THE TWIST COMING! sooo good.🔥
This story is so wild. Thanks for taking the time to put it together so people like me can learn about it. Although I still have mixed emotions about some of the key players, I feel so bad for the actors and those involved who didn’t know and could’ve really skyrocketed their careers off this
Love these videos! Would love to see you cover the Grey Gardens musical sometime!
My mum was in a 2006 production of Elisabeth das Musical in Stuttgart, Germany!!
This makes me really sad. I had no idea it was a musical that existed but it sounds really cool.
Thank you, new sub. Found this story just by scanning yt for something more than the rehashed tiktok crud. So glad i found your channel. Ty again.
honestly i just hope that someday somehow an english production of rebecca makes it to the stage in its full glory because it's honestly amazing and deserves it 100% :-( someone else commented this already but like... carrie got a revival after it's whole ordeal!! so maybe, in the future, a successful english production of rebecca is still in the cards... ?
This became a true-crime podcast real quick. This was fascinating. I don't know anything about Broadway, your video was in my recommended feed, and I'm definitely not disappointed.
I am a huge fan of Elisabeth das Musical so this was an interesting watch! (I would love to see a video on Elisabeth someday!)
Oh my god!! I've never been this early!!!!!
Edit: i still wish Rebecca, someday will recieve its comback to the great white way...
Uggg you and me both
If Fyre Festival was a Broadway musical.
The Olympic Diner! I know EXACTLY where that is.
I just saw “Rebecca” in London. Yeah, it’s a bare-bones version of it, but the performances were fantastic. There’s a good show in there.
This was fantastic!!! Awake at 3am and have no idea why this popped up but so happy it did.
This actually sounds like such a good show what a bummer it didn’t get to happen
it's still running in europe & asia, apparently!
Just saw the American Greed episode about this so I'm looking forward to this as it is a deeper dive
Thanks!
The story of Rebecca the Musical is absolutely fascinating! It's like a real life mystery and the resolution is so amazing! It makes you appreciate in part what must go into the creation of any Broadway show. In this instance a great show and many talented people suffered from the actions of just a couple of people. I hope someday someone can still get this done.
Fascinating story. Excellently presented. Thank you!
Excellent Reporting! Thank You So Much! Nanc 🍒🍒 🎭🎭🎭🎭🎭
Well done to this documentary and just discovering your amazing works and insights I've become a subscriber.
This is a wild story with much tragedy, mystery, and turns but also I felt shown a light to how elitist and how much money is needed to the point of being not impossible but being improvable. Only a few are able to enter and decide what can be considered a Broadway show and 500 seat minimum required for Tony eligibility. After watching this video I looked into the three "Smaller Theaters" in New York that Sprecher built and owns and read on Wiki about his Stage 42 (known as the Little Shubert Theatre until 2015) "In 2011, theater producers speculated that Stage 42 might become a Tony-eligible Broadway house, by the addition of one seat to bring it to the 500 seat minimum required for Tony eligibility; this has not happened, as going to 500 seats would require negotiating new contracts with the unions, raising costs further."
To built and own three Theaters in New York would make me think you are wealthy and a proud success yet as seen here despite that he was still be seen as a low end producer by Broadway society as your not super rich tells me how hard it is to enter and do anything unless your super rich or have the luck of connections pre established.
In this video the producers tunnel vision to a dream and desperate enough didn't investigate & do enough background checks but wanted to be true the promises they were told. They took a lack of research gamble (which is abnormal as majority of business people are actually not gamblers and will go the green light only after told by careful research and expects giving a presentation that will kill their worries) and in the end many got hurt. This is an education history for any hopeful Producers that before you start something and bring many onboard that can uproot and/or block opportunities to them you must ensure you have more then a promise (even legally signed contacts isn't good enough) but that the money is authentic, in the proper accounts, and researched carefully to give protections.
I'm also shocked by how little the punishment was to one's responsible and had purposely hurt others got (greatly when I read how others might get longer sentences that questions fairness) in the end. If you buy a car from anywhere don't just research the car and prices but Whom you are buying from also.
Came here today (12/12/2022) after hearing they're going to give it a trial in London next fall. I'm interested more in the behind-the-scenes drama of attempting this again than I am in the show itself.
Nice of you to put the full thing. :D
This story sounds like it would make good musical/play material.
Um, why would we need that mess?
The way I gasped when the “reveal” happened?!
So... the scam artist was easily googleable to be a suspected scam artist and none of the other producers bothered to check who they were working with? Not even quickly, for five minutes? They didn't ever go "huh, I should probably check out this guy who has a bunch of wealthy investors no one's ever heard of before"??? If this was a story from the 90s, fair enough, information was not as accessible then, but come on... that's just plain stupidity at that point
There's a saying: if something looks too good to be true, it isn't
god. your videos are SO good and so fascinating. great work again, Wings!
This video was so well done- the narration was engaging and the editing was excellent! Thank you for the video!
Holy shit the twist is as shocking as Defunctland's Shapeland-Animal Kingdom. What a gripping video!!
This was produced so well 👏 bravo