‘Rebecca’ returns to Szeged Open-Air Festival for six performances starting Friday
The hit musical Rebecca returns to the stage at the Szeged Open-Air Festival on Friday, following a sold-out debut season that drew more than 20,000 theatergoers in 2024.
The production, based on Daphne Du Maurier’s suspenseful novel and composed by Sylvester Lévay with lyrics by Michael Kunze, will run for six performances on July 18–20 and 25–27 at Szeged’s iconic Dóm Square.
Festival organizers added a sixth show this year due to high demand, with early ticket registrations opening as far back as August 2024.
László Barnák, general director of the Szeged National Theatre and also a cast member portraying Colonel Julyan, welcomed the returning cast and crew earlier this week. He emphasized the musical’s wide appeal and praised the ensemble’s talent.
“This show was a sensation last year, and audiences are coming back – some even twice – to see different cast members,” Barnák said. “Thanks to this strong team, we’ll reach nearly 24,000 people this season.”
The production features a cast of celebrated Hungarian performers, including Petra Gubik, Attila Dolhai, Kata Janza, Nikolett Gallusz, Ádám Bálint, and Dorottya Udvaros. Newcomers to this year’s lineup include Nikolett Füredi as Beatrice Lacy and Artur Szőcs as Jack Favell.
Udvaros, who was set to reprise her role as Mrs. Edythe Van Hopper, will miss the first three performances due to illness. She will be temporarily replaced by Barbara Bordás, a classically trained singer and veteran of the Budapest Operetta Theatre.
Bordás, a frequent performer in Szeged, is known for starring roles in operettas and musicals, including The Csárdás Princess and Singin’ in the Rain.
The festival’s version of Rebecca blends romance, mystery and thriller elements in an open-air setting, with live orchestra, choir, dancers and a full cast contributing to the large-scale production.
Friday’s performance marks the first of the six scheduled shows and kicks off what organizers hope will be another record-setting run for one of Szeged’s most anticipated summer events.
Photos: László Barnák, director of the Szeged National Theater and the Open-Air Festival, welcomes the cast of Rebecca at Dóm Square, July 15, 2025. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
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