The Hunchback of Notre Dame on Stage

DARTH KNITE · Post by **DARTH KNITE** » Wed Nov 24, 2004 4:30 pm

For those who don't know, Disney released a stage musical of The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Berlin, because that's where the film did the best. I believe it was one of, if not, the most successfull musical in their history. It was also praised with great reviews, for it's extended soundtrack, (including an intergrated "Someday" cut from the film) for using Victor Hugo's original ending involving Esmeralda, and for the dark and mature elements rarely seen in musical theatre, let alone animated film. Supporters of the film, who have often said what an underappreciated work it was, have been trying to no real results, to get an english translation on Broadway, but Disney doesn't have confidence in the show there. With the Berlin musical finally closed, after a ridiculously successfull run, and a abc live action version in production limbo for the last couple years, i'm starting to wonder, will we ever see this show brought to America?

Cressida · Post by **Cressida** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 4:25 am

Even tho I can't travel to America to see shows, I hope The Hunchback will go there. I wish that every countries have a chance to enjoy great shows and plays!

tinkerbell-cup · Post by **tinkerbell-cup** » Thu Nov 25, 2004 9:18 am

i'd love for it to come to england! i love hunchback!

Kram Nebuer · Post by **Kram Nebuer** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 1:11 pm

Hunchback is one of my favorite animated features so I certainly would hope to see the show come to America! They use to have a live Hunchback Musicsal show at MGM. I thought it was wonderful and even better than TLM show! But sadly they took it out to put a big painting of San Francisco...

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 1:35 pm

I doubt it'll come to America, in terms of Broadway, since Disney probably feels the film wasn't popular enough. The Hunchback movie fared much better in Europe than in the US.

DARTH KNITE · Post by **DARTH KNITE** » Mon Nov 29, 2004 6:49 pm

Well, maybe if the ABC film takes off and does well, they'll reconsider. I think there should at least be a English version made, so community theatres and schools can do it, even if there's no professional release.

Thomas J · Post by **Thomas J** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:37 pm

Playbill.com has a page devoted to the opening night of The Little Mermaid on Broadway. At the end, this is stated:

"Composer Stephen Schwartz, whose Wicked shares a common demographic with the Chicklet of the Sea, owes a couple of Oscars to Disney films, so one can't help wondering when his Disney-animated film will turn into a Broadway musical.

"I think we're starting up Hunchback of Notre Dame, hopefully, next year. Rumor has reached my ear that it's happening." "

Here is the article:
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/114214.html

Your thoughts?

SpringHeelJack · Post by **SpringHeelJack** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:45 pm

Guh, I hope so. Took them long enough. Now I just hope they don't castrate the show entirely.

Widdi · Post by **Widdi** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:47 pm

Well the show was massively successful in Europe so it doesn't surprise me. I've been wanting them to bring it to English speaking countries for ages. I really hope it is playing when I'm in New York in 2010.

ChrisLyne · Post by **ChrisLyne** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 4:35 am

I was honestly hoping for Aladdin next, but Hunchback does make much more sense as all the music is written (ok they'll make some changes but they won't have to start from scratch like they would with Aladdin) and they've already staged it and know what works and what needs improving.

I hope this is true as I've always wanted to hear Esmeralda in English, even in German I love it!

If that article is right and they are working on it from 2009 then it could easily be opening on Broadway in 2010.

Simba3 · Post by **Simba3** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 6:08 am

I would love to see Hunchback on Broadway! I think it would make for a really great stage show. Plus, perhaps Disney would finally release a decent version of the film for all of us who have been dying for one.

Kossage · Post by **Kossage** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 6:09 am

It'd be nice to hear the entire show in English, because the German cast recording was quite good. I hope this is really happening, but we'll see.

UmbrellaFish · Post by **UmbrellaFish** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:21 am

Finally! I hope this turns true.

Thomas J · Post by **Thomas J** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:28 am

I hope they release the movie on a special edition DVD, otherwise I have to buy the last release.

I haven't seen the movie in ages.

Kram Nebuer · Post by **Kram Nebuer** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 12:07 pm

Woohoo! I hope this is true! The show soundtrack is amazing and the new songs are fantastic music wise. I don't speak German so I don't know what they're saying, but it's a lot of fun to listen to.

Thomas J wrote:I hope they release the movie on a special edition DVD, otherwise I have to buy the last release.

I think the single disc rerelease of Tarzan came out around the same time the musical did or at least the same year.

I remember reading that the story for Hunchback was changed a lot for the German musical so it was darker and closer to the book. I hope they don't change it back in the States so they can sell it to families.

Siren · Post by **Siren** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 7:42 pm

I would love to see it go to Broadway. The movie had a Broadway feel. Just surprised it took them this long.

BelleGirl · Post by **BelleGirl** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:20 pm

I've seen the show Hunchback of Notre Dame performed once by amateur singers (in combination with the Wind in the Willows) That was great!

If there is one person who can bring the broadway show of Hunchback to The Netherlands it would be Joop van de Ende. Maybe he is interested?
At present, Tarzan is running, before that Joop brought us B&tB and The Lion King.

rb_canadian181 · Post by **rb_canadian181** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:24 am

That's really exciting! I love the soundtrack to Gloeckner... and I have a copy of the score too (in German but also including English lyrics). Schwartz wrote the lyrics to the new songs as well and then they were translated so this would go on Broadway as quick as anything! They should open up BATB in Toronto or something, they might someday. I think I'll go to NYC in the summer to see Mermaid.
I think Aladdin would have been the biggest success of any Disney show to be on Broadway. It's a good unisex show. There were a lot of extra songs for the movie that were scrapped when changes to the storyline occured but atleast the music is there.
Everyone be on the lookout for info on Hunchback on broadway!

singerguy04 · Post by **singerguy04** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:34 am

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh my gosh, I'm so excited for this!!!!! I've always wanted this to be a show because I would've wanted to be in it! lol I'm really going to have to check out when auditions and such are.

DARTH KNITE · Post by **DARTH KNITE** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 2:56 pm

Finally!!!!! I hope to God this is true. They should have done this years ago. Its an amazing show

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