Drama Musicals » drama musicals

REBECCA | The Musical Story

Achim — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:48:01 +0000

It all begins in 1926, in a small hotel in Monte Carlo. Maxim de Winter, a wealthy widower from England, marries a beautiful young woman from a rather common background.

Rebecca - Return to Manderley

As soon as the couple returns to de Winter’s Estate Manderley, trouble arises in the form of long-time housekeeper Mrs. Danvers. The ghost of Maxim’s first wife Rebecca seems to dominate everything that happens at Manderley, and Mrs. Danvers won’t hide her lack of respect for the new Lady of the House.

Mrs. Danvers and 'I'

Just one year earlier, Rebecca had died in an alleged boating accident. She must have been a perfect wife and the most beautiful woman in the world…according to Mrs. Danvers. Maxim seems to be taken aback by his young woman’s loneliness and insecurities, and when she wears one of Rebecca’s precious gowns for a society ball the new marriage begins to crumble…

Mrs. Danvers

And then police find Rebecca’s boat…with her corpse in it! At the time of the accident, Maxim had apparently identified a different victim’s remains as his wife’s body. Now, police consider him as their prime suspect…

Rebecca's Boating Accident?

Intrigues abound and de Winter’s situation seems hopeless. His young wife, however, discovers new strength and self-confidence through standing by his side. After a series of dramatic turns, Maxim gets cleared by police. The trials of this experience reward the couple with a truly happy ending. But Mrs. Danvers and Manderley must face a terrible finale…

UPDATE! REBECCA The Musical is now scheduled for a Broadway premiere on April 22, 2012!

Broadway World Interview With Michael Kunze | Latest REBECCA News Revealed!

Achim — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:06:18 +0000

In this extensive October ’09 interview with Broadway World’s Jonathon Collis, Michael Kunze talks about the latest news on the English-language premiere of his drama musical “Rebecca”. But wait, there’s more! Mr. Collis asked Michael several questions regarding the history and definition of drama musicals, the difficulties of working with a foreign-language adapter, the chances of a remake of Dance of the Vampires, and a number of other related topics.

It is very interesting to read Michael’s thoughts about “…winning over the British audience will be very difficult – especially if you come from continental Europe and tell them to watch the dramatisation of one of their literary treasures”.

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation!

Find the complete interview at “BWW Interviews: Writer and Interpreter Michael Kunze”

The Structure Of A Drama Musical

Achim — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:35:35 +0000

Michael calls himself a ‘story architect’ because he thinks that building a solid structure is his most important job in a drama musical…

Mozart | Brief Life History

Achim — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 02:16:37 +0000

What if I told you that I am the reincarnated Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? Well…me neither. But that’s what my Viennese grandmother’s lady friends said when they witnessed my playing a Mozart piece for four hands, together with my piano teacher, at the tender age of 4. Was it too much praise, too early?

I went on to become a successful rock musician with even more successful self-destructive tendencies. Poor me. (But nobody had forced me to create!) Poorer Amadeus! His upbringing was much more dramatic and Michael Kunze tells us all about it in his Hit Drama Musical Mozart!

On this page, I’d like to take a closer look at the historical version of Mozart’s life story. We might not hear too much about the real person but rather find a description of the legend as his contemporaries wanted to see him. But this will give us a good basis for the upcoming post on Michael’s work – a deeply emotional interpretation of Mozart’s life in the context of the artistic spirit’s timeless struggles.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Timeline Of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

What Instruments Did Mozart Play?

Clavier (pianoforte), harpsichord, organ, violin and viola.

The Music

The Operas

Mozart Comedy by Victor Borge

_______________________________________________________________________________

Elisabeth – The Musical!

Achim — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:50:18 +0000

The story of Elisabeth – Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary – as told by Michael Kunze (music by Sylvester Levay) in the most successful original German-language musical of all time!

One of the most powerful women in the world – “Sissy” was proud and unapproachable. She had it all, but all she wanted was to be free. Her obsession with recognition and independence drove the Empress to ruthlessness and cruelty toward her closest allies. She felt misunderstood and depressed – even suicidal…

Only one could fulfill her yearnings – death himself.

Elisabeth

Michael Kunze and Sylvester Levay created a timeless memorial for this extraordinary woman – a thrilling Drama Musical experience for generations to come.

Act I sets the stage for a review of Elisabeth’s life. Her assassin claims to have done her a favor by uniting the Empress with her ultimate lover – death. We learn about the marriage of the 15-year-old Sisi to Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph, on August 24th, 1853. Soon, the strict protocol at the Viennese Court, combined with constant criticism by her mother-in-law and the anxiety over delivering a male follower to the throne, drive Elisabeth into deep depression and suicidal thoughts. After finally giving birth to her son, she begins to fight for her independence and personal freedom. Under pressure, the Emperor concedes – against the will of his mother. Elisabeth is euphoric…

Act II finds the Austrian “Kaiserin” deeply involved in the pleasures and luxuries of her privileged existence. Against the tumultuous historical back ground of Hungary’s annexation to the Austrian empire, Sissi lives only the ‘high life’ while neglecting the needs of her people. But death has a plan…

Haunted by political intrigues, the Crown Prince takes his own life. Elisabeth is devastated and once again longs for the nearness of death. Her deepest desires find fulfillment in the events from September 10th, 1898…

Here are two video clips with the hit songs “Wenn ich tanzen will” and “Ich gehor nur mir”. Enclosed is also a link to buy the Elisabeth Musical DVD from Amazon.com.