Based on Daphne du Maurier’s eponymous bestselling novel, adapted by thriller mastermind Alfred Hitchcock in 1940 as the equally fabulous movie version – his first and only movie ever awarded an Oscar – REBECCA by VBW adheres closely to its legendary source, approved and warmly welcomed by no other than the du Maurier family themselves: hugely impressed by a performance of Michael Kunze’s and Sylvester Levay’s ELISABETH, Daphne du Maurier’s son, Christian Browning, gladly granted the rights for a musical version to VBW. Faithful to its psychologically riveting template, REBECCA traces the fascinating transition of the story’s While working in Monte Carlo as the companion for the wealthy Mrs. Van Hopper, an unnamed narrator (known as "Ich"/"I") a shy and naïve young girl falling in love with the worldly, elegant millionaire Maxim de Winter. A man with a troubled mind and a dark secret, obsessed by a shadow from the past – his late wife, Rebecca. A sinister yet charismatic female villain – the vicious Mrs. Danvers – , slyly pulling all the psychological strings the classic thriller genre has to offer. And a magnificent mansion by the seaside – the legendary de Winter family estate Manderley – as a backdrop, endangered by looming catastrophic events: The shadow of Rebecca hangs more and more heavily over the house, making it increasingly difficult for our heroine to face the challenges not only of running a great estate but within her marriage — especially when it's increasingly clear that the two are related. Gradually, with a not-so-subtle assist from Mrs. Danvers, she begins to despair of ever living up to the perfect, proud, beloved Rebecca.
