About the Show

Rudolf - The Last Kiss tells the tragic story of Austrian Crown Prince Rudolf and Mary Vetsera, who were found dead in a hunting lodge in Mayerling, near Vienna. The show is loosely based on Frederic Morton's book, A Nervous Splendor: Vienna 1888-1889.

The show began life under the title of Vienna, and was the first project that Nan and Frank Wildhorn worked on together. Nan then stepped aside to allow Jack Murphy to continue the development of the show while she worked on Camille Claudel. Many of Nan's original ideas and plotlines are still present in the show. Songs with her lyrics include "Only Love", "Pretty Little War", "New Boy in Town" and parts of "Viennese Specialties."

Latest News

Rudolf had its world premiere at the Operett Színház in Budapest, Hungary on 26 May 2006, and its open-air premiere in Szeged, Hungary on 28 July 2006. The show is a co-production by Vereinigte Bühnen Wien, the Budapest Operetta Theater and the Szeged Open-Air Festival. The show is currently running in Hungary, and is expected to open in Vienna in February 2009.

Performances are continuing in the 2007-08 season at Operett Színház in Budapest. Additional performances are expected, and will be posted as they are finalized. Ticket information is available on the Operett Színház Website.

Toho Musical & Play is presenting the Japanese Premiere of Rudolf in Tokyo from 6 May through 1 June 2008. More information is available on the Toho Website (in Japanese).

Vereinigte Bühnen Wien has announced a late February 2009 opening for Rudolf in Vienna, Austria. The German-language premiere of the show will take place at the Raimund Theater. This production will be directed by David Leveaux (The Real Thing, Nine, Fiddler on the Roof).

A complete song list has been posted at FrankWildhorn.com. A Hungarian cast recording is in the works.

Three songs from the show were released on the Hungarian musical theater sampler CD, "Mindhalálig Musical". These include "Csak Szerelem" (Only Love), performed by Kata Janza; "Érted Születtem" (I Was Born For You), performed by Kata Janza and Attila Dolhai; and "A Holnap Hídja" (Steps Of Tomorrow) performed by some of the biggest stars in the country. The CD is available from SoundOfMusic.de.

Additional information, including cast and crew lists and numerous photo links, can be found on Frank Wildhorn's website. Information on the production can also be found on the Rudolf Musical Website or on the Operett Színház Website (both sites in Hungarian and English). Information and photos from the runs in Szeged can be found on the Szeged Open-Air Festival Website.

Related Items

19 July 2006 - Letter From Nan
Nan mentions the production of the show in Budapest, Hungary.

17 November 2004 - Letter From Nan
Nan gives an update on the show, including her involvement and upcoming plans.

1 July 2004 - Question & Answer
Nan discusses her involvement with the musical Vienna, including a surprise for Pimpernel fans!

18 September 2003 - Interview with The Voice
Nan discusses how she and Frank started working on Vienna.