Assuming you are refering to Menken's Hunchback, I completely agree and I'm not a big Disney animation to stage musical production fan. There was a plan to bring it to the US (after Germany) and I wonder why it stalled. The score, the songs, and the orchestration in the animation are amazing. "Out There" gives me the goose bumps. With the right book, good actors (sans the gargoyles...too cartoony, don't you think?) and the right stage and lighting design, this could possibly do quite well. I'd see it on preview night. Tom Hulce was excellent in that recording but Demi Moore in the speaking voice? What were they thinking?
Now, for the stage actors (no stunt casting, if Buddha permits): Quasimodo - I'd vote for Norbert Leo Butz Frollo - Brian Stokes Mitchell can be an excellent Frollo. But Tony Jay can reprise the role. Captain Phoebus - Matt Bogart or Eric Kunze Esmeralda - Christine Andreas (too old?) or Rachel York but I think Lea Salonga can be perfect.
"I love acting. It is so much more real than life." Oscar Wilde "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." Aldous Huxley
Thanks TheFriarsDruggist. I didn't know that Tony has passed away. That's sad.
I agree on Terrence...excellent baritone.
"I love acting. It is so much more real than life." Oscar Wilde "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." Aldous Huxley
I was just thinking the same thing! Terrance Mann would be absolute perfection in that role. (It's incredibly similar to Javert, but, hey, who cares?) I can't cast someone famous as Quasimodo (though I will say NLB is an interesting and rather brilliant choice), because I must see my friend play this role someday (If you'd heard his voice, you'd understand why...) Esmeralda- Lea Salonga maybe...I'm still thinking...is Stephanie J. Block too old? Esmeralda needs to be more earthy and street-wise than most Disney "princess" types..Eden? Phoebus- Max Crumm (Haha! Gotcha!)...how about Matthew Morrison? JASON DANIELY FOR CLOPIN!!!!!
!!!!!!!!...more exclamation points, just because I feel like it.
Even it was something like 10 years ago, i think Drew should be Quasi again, although Norbert is a great idea.
as for Esmeralda: Sara Ramires, no offence but diesnt she get picked up alot in this show? anyways, how about a black Esmeralda, maybe Disney can intice Heather Headley to come back to broadway.
As for Frolo (my fav.. role) the only person i can see doing it is Philip Quast.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27199361@N08/ Phantom at the Royal Empire Theatre
Drew is only in his early 30s. He was very young when he played Quasimodo. It's not like he's old now...he is still young, and I'd want him to play it.
Frollo should have a distinct voice that says terror all over it (doesn't have to be just like Jay's voice, but it should be distinct like his). I didn't like the voice of Frollo in the Berlin staging, it wasn't distinct enough.
How to properly use its/it's:
Its is the possessive. It's is the contraction for it is...
Quasimodo-Drew Sarich Esmerelda-Sara Ramirez or, dare I say it, Eyedeena Menzel Frollo-Terrance Mann Phoebus-? Clopin-Someone flexible, like Tyler Maynard...
Randal Keith is way too old
"I saw Pavarotti play Rodolfo on stage and with his girth I thought he was about to eat the whole table at the Cafe Momus." - Dollypop
Do you folks think a modified book without the gargoyles would work?
"I love acting. It is so much more real than life." Oscar Wilde "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." Aldous Huxley
Although the guy singing Frollo on the German CD may lack distincive tones he certainly has a powerful voice. Hell Fire is taken up to a G and raises the hairs on my neck.
Terrence Mann is too predictable and lacks the powerful vocals I would prefer.
I'm thinking a newbie for Esmerelda to be honest. In the book I thought she was supposed to be younger than she is in the cartoon. Maybe I'm wrong but alot of the suggestions seem too old. I love the Philip Quast idea, that be amazing.
What about Alan Cumming's as Clopin?
Your aspirations are your possibilities-Samuel Johnson (and a little help from nomdeplume)
Well, I was going to suggest Idina, since she seems to have that kind of earthy quality that Esmeralda needs, but I was afraid I'd be shot down very quickly and painfully by the anti-Wickeders
P.S. Flicker...I'm in love with your avatar
Updated On: 8/25/07 at 01:54 AM
Regardless of who plays who, THe Hunchback of Notre Damn is one of Disney's BEST animated musical - quite powerful - and deserves to find it's way to Broadway! LOVE the music!
George:
Rubbing alcohol for you, Martha?
Martha: Never mix, never worry!
I completely agree. George Hearn would sing a really awesome "Hellfire" IMHO. (May Tony Jay rest in the peace.) To add, I think Doug Sills would make an awesome Phoebus--the man has a set of pipes on him for sure!