The Hunchback of Notre Dame on Stage

[Disney's Divinity]

Yes, I believe The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of those things from Disney that's in a corner no matter what they do. Maybe they feel the Disney film may not be instantly recognizable to people who may buy tickets--thanks in large part to Disney's own actions in not promoting/re-releasing/merchandising it over the years--so they're trying to follow the book more closely for that reason? I'm still glad it's getting made, whatever way they go with the story, because, like you, I would those songs to be translated.

Sorry I ended up taking us off-topic, but I didn't mean to say the TLM tale is a tragedy (although she does only earn the right to work for an immortal soul at the end, which in some ways feels tacked on...), only that it would be a bit of a whiplash moment for people to go in to see Disney's TLM with songs like "Under the Sea" only for the title character to die--physically, at least. Not to mention all the other physical pain on display--having her tongue cut out, always feeling like she's walking on knives, etc. I personally think the Christian morality of the tale is carried over into the film, even if the way it's infused is completely different (the sea witch as a devil figure who gives Ariel a physical "life" that is only temporal, Triton as a parallel to the God of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament early in the film, following with a Christ-like sacrifice at the end, etc).

[ProfessorRatigan]

For the sake of clarification: I wasn't saying you, or anyone else here on the forum, for that matter, were saying the original story was a tragedy. I was just saying that I've seen others online make that claim (and then use that fact to beat up on the Disney film for 'lightening it up,' or whatever).

Obviously, Hunchback is near and dear to my heart. Whatever happens, I hope the show is great. I just can't help but question why they seem so needlessly ashamed of the film? I never really hear Menken saying, "You know, I stand by the decisions we made in 1996." It's always, "Oh, we're trying to get it darker, more TRUE to the book," in these interviews I've been reading. I like that Schwartz doesn't seem to care. Calling the original, "Menken's best score." (Which I agree with.) I've read before as well, on Schwartz's website no less (though this was years back), that he gets more fan-mail about Hunchback than any of his other projects. It obviously means something special to a lot of people. And I'm convinced that the film WOULD be seen in a better light if Disney didn't try to bury it at every opportunity.

thanks in large part to Disney's own actions in not promoting/re-releasing/merchandising it over the years

-THIS! This is it exactly. Though not just for Hunchback. For Hercules and Tarzan, and, to a lesser extent, Mulan and Pocahontas, too.

[DisneyFan09]

You know what, ProfessorRatigan? For once I actually agree with you. I understand the decision to please Hugo-purits, but this is after all Disney's adaptation that is going to be adapted, so they need to stick with that. It should expand the plot and the characters a lot more.

Sorry I ended up taking us off-topic

No need to be. It was relevant to the discussion, considering how the Mermaid and Quasimodo dies in the original.

[rubyslippers]

The show officially opened last night! Ciara Renee shared this gorgeous photo on her Instagram

[DisneyJedi]

Okay, so I watched Michael's performance of "Out There" and all I could focus on was the makeup, if that's what it really is. Is the "Facepaint" supposed to represent his deformities? I mean, come on. The Phantom of the Opera's stage makeup is way more convincing!

[rubyslippers]

Okay, so I watched Michael's performance of "Out There" and all I could focus on was the makeup, if that's what it really is. Is the "Facepaint" supposed to represent his deformities? I mean, come on. The Phantom of the Opera's stage makeup is way more convincing!

It's not meant to be a realistic, detailed depiction of his deformities. It's meant to be simple easy-on/easy-off stylized makeup that would have been at-home in a 14th century passion play.

It also ties into one of the show/film's underlying themes, "What makes a monster and what makes a man?" During the opening of the show, Quasimodo's actor first comes out without any physical deformities, what is perceived as as "man." And all it takes is a swipe of the greasepaint and a pad on his back to suddenly make him a "monster." Conversely, at the end of the show (or at least in La Jolla, they may have changed this) the pad and facepaint are removed and the question is restated.

[megustajake]

I saw a performance at the Paper Mill Playhouse last week on vacation from North Carolina to New Jersey/New York.

The movie has always been one of my favorites, and I've been excited to see it staged since the Berlin premiere. It is definitely a separate entity from the film, but I support the changes they've made. Transferring the story from screen to stage means more time can be spent developing the characters and themes. The Disney movie was already so adult, more adult than they will probably go again for a long time, so I feel it was natural to push some of those existing boundaries.

I loved the ending, and how the ensemble painted their faces and contorted their bodies to express their similarity to and compassion for Quasimodo -- it is something that works far better than it should. There were several times I almost cried (I am not a cryer), and this was definitely one of those moments. The score works so well live, the actors -- especially Michael Arden -- were terrific in their roles, and the set (which I thought might disappoint in comparison to the extravagant Berlin production) was large and looming, brimming with choreographed life and spectacular light.

There were a few things that could be improved, sure. The Court of Miracles is somewhat lackluster, especially since its opulence and exoticness is whats supposed to convince Phoebus to run away with the gypsies. When Quasimodo is crowned the King of Fools, for whatever reason the emotional impact of the crowd turning on him isn't as poignant as it is in the movie (I may blame the fight choreography but it's probably the way Frollo's reaction differs from the original context). And there were a few instances that they should've heeded the advice "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

That said, as someone who has seen dozens of shows on and off Broadway, "Hunchback" stands out as one of the most moving I have seen.

[DisneyJedi]

The show officially opened last night! Ciara Renee shared this gorgeous photo on her Instagram

Is that from before/after Esmeralda dies?

[rubyslippers]

Is that from before/after Esmeralda dies?

After!

[blackcauldron85]

Review Roundup: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME Opens at Paper Mill - UPDATED!
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Re ... l-20150316#

[rubyslippers]

Review Roundup: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME Opens at Paper Mill - UPDATED!
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Re ... l-20150316#

That NY Times review is something else.

Especially this:

"... Frollo, who becomes obsessed with scouring them from the city, even as (non-spoiler alert) he finds himself lusting after the beauteous, feisty Esmeralda, who rejects his advances. (For a woman who makes a living dancing erotically in the streets, and consorts freely with thieves and prostitutes, Esmeralda clings to her purity like a nun with a beady eye on future martyrdom.)"

How dare Esmeralda not want to accept the advances of Frollo! Especially since even early on, there is something 'off' and obsessive about his interaction with her.

[ProfessorRatigan]

Wow, that's really offensive. Disgusting.

[disneyprincess11]

Well, we have to change the title of the forum. According to BroadwayWorld.com forums, Hunchback is NOT coming to Broadway. It was announced to the cast, yesterday.

[DisneyJedi]

Well, we have to change the title of the forum. According to BroadwayWorld.com forums, Hunchback is NOT coming to Broadway. It was announced to the cast, yesterday.

What?! WHY NOT?!?!

[rubyslippers]

Someone on BWW clarified that the cast members were told that there won't be an immediate/fast transfer to Broadway. (meaning, unlike it was rumored, it won't be going to Broadway in the fall.) I don't know if reasons were given, it could be any number of things--the show not being quite ready, there not being an available theater, Disney not being sure of how they want the show to be marketed, etc.

It doesn't mean it won't ever get to Broadway. After all, when Aladdin premiered in 2011 it wasn't intended for Broadway then ended up there in 2014!

[Lady Cluck]

[DisneyJedi]

Someone on BWW clarified that the cast members were told that there won't be an immediate/fast transfer to Broadway. (meaning, unlike it was rumored, it won't be going to Broadway in the fall.) I don't know if reasons were given, it could be any number of things--the show not being quite ready, there not being an available theater, Disney not being sure of how they want the show to be marketed, etc.

It doesn't mean it won't ever get to Broadway. After all, when Aladdin premiered in 2011 it wasn't intended for Broadway then ended up there in 2014!

That's... Somewhat reassuring.

Truth be told, I saw a bootleg of the show and the ending when Esmeralda "ascends" to Heaven, I didn't really get the vibe. Maybe if they had the lighting look a bit more Heaven-like (bright white-ish and glowing), I'd be convinced.

[Disney's Divinity]

I hope it ends up going to Broadway eventually, even if it's a short run. Really, I just want the OBC recording. Still, sucky news.

Lady Cluck: Clever.

[Disney Duster]

I just got back from seeing this with my mother and wish my father had also joined this. It. WAS. AMAZING. It was faaaaaantastic! Just glorious, gorgeous, perfect art. I even think the idea of him being partially deaf but still being able to sing (extremely!) well worked, because his deafness was only noted in one scene.

I don't cry often. But I came close to crying many times, and finally in the end I cried. And I thought my depression had destroyed all my emotions!

The guy who played Quasimodo did so, so, well, he gave such an excellently phenomenal and tender, heartfelt, heart-wrenching performance. I really loved him. Hey, I even thought he was cute (yes, in his "ugly" self), and I thought it odd Esmeralda said she didn't see him as a boy because he acted very much like a child, which is part of why I loved him. Of course, he did do very manly and heroic things.

I don't know what other versions of this musical was like, but if Disney did a live-action version (like the possibly wise on this Michael Eisner suggested?) of this version of the story, I think it would win Best Picture for sure. This is what Disney should make in live-action..
I hope this show goes to Broadway. It deserves it, and I think it would win and deserve Best Musical, too.

And yea Lady Cluck that was amazing! LOL

[disneyprincess11]

Lady Cluck:

Apparently, someone else on BWW has said that they ARE planning on Broadway. They want to do a last-second Chicago run first around the summer and then a transfer in the fall. So, there is hope! But, they need a lot of change for it to succeed.