Stand-by Joined: 7/7/15
Interested to see what Glenn Casale can do with this property. He did a great job of salvaging The Little Mermaid.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Tom-Hewitt-and-Lesli-Margherita-to-Star-in-HUNCHBACK-OF-NOTRE-DAME-as-Part-of-La-Miradas-2016-17-Season-20160421
He is a VERY good director. I saw the Little Mermaid when it premiered at Paper Mill and did a good job at reshaping it. Excellent choice in casting too. Leslie Margherita is my favorite actress and she is going to do an amazing job as Esmeralda
I like Lesli's casting too, because the role fits her like a glove. Except...the race. A big part of political commentary was how as a gypsy Esmeralda is an outcast.
Personally, I want to see Renee Goldsberry or Danielle Brookes in the role.
Or, you know, an actual Romani actress.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
So should Quasimodo be performed by an actual half-deaf hunchback?
And Danielle Brooks?! Really? I like her and all, but.....thank goodness you do no work in casting.
Leading Actor Joined: 7/6/14
Interesting. Casale is directing Hunchback at Music Circus in Sacramento with performances August 23 – 28. Music Circus has been lousy at announcing casts over the last few years. I'm thinking we at least have an hunch on the possible Hunchback leads. Exciting.
Is this a co-production? https://www.broadwayworld.com/sacramento/article/John-McGinty-to-Play-Quasimodo-in-HUNCHBACK-at-California-Music-Circus-823-20160412
Music Circus has been holding off on announcing casts as of late because Actors can drop out of a show with a two week notice ( which is standard with most AEA Contracts). In the past few years they have announced leads ( big Broadway names ) in shows having to replace them weeks before a show causing ticket buyers and season tickets holders to get angry. They know hold off until about 3-4 weeks before the season begins.
As for Hunchback being a co-production, at this time I heard that it is not ( It would be hard to share production costs on a show in the round and proscenium when they are two completely different venues ). Although sharing of costumes and certain set pieces might happen they are not sharing production costs. Glenn does like to cast the same leads so I am hoping to see Tom Hewitt in Sacramento! The deaf actor playing the Hunchback in Sacramento already announced on his twitter that he is cast and that is going to be awesome! I am truly looking forward to what Glenn Casale is going to do with the script for this! His Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins ( streamlined the script and some of the score, which is now the official version licensed by Disney ) were both spectacular in the round!
Maybe he'll be smart enough to bring back Lapine's *bleep* book.
Leading Actor Joined: 7/6/14
Stand-by Joined: 7/7/15
g.d.e.l.g.i. said: "Maybe he'll be smart enough to bring back Lapine's *bleep* book.
"
Yes, please.
Chorus Member Joined: 3/31/16
I'm seeing this in September!!! I'm a little confused though, is it going to be the same version that was at Paper Mill?
mormonsandglindas said: "I'm seeing this in September!!! I'm a little confused though, is it going to be the same version that was at Paper Mill?
"
The music will be the same, but the production will not.
Stand-by Joined: 7/7/15
mormonsandglindas said: "I'm seeing this in September!!! I'm a little confused though, is it going to be the same version that was at Paper Mill?
"
It is being directed by a different director who has become famous for reinventing Disney shows.
Lesli Margherita confirmed on her Twitter page that she will be Esmeralda in Sacramento as well
https://mobile.twitter.com/QueenLesli/status/723916181778767873
As far as Queen Lesli's ethnicity, Esmeralda is actually half-French in the novel. So I don't think her casting is some atrocity.
mormonsandglindas said: "I'm seeing this in September!!! I'm a little confused though, is it going to be the same version that was at Paper Mill?
As much as I admire Glenn's work, I am kind of scared to see what he is going to do to Hunchback because when it was at Paper Mill, it was BEAUTIFULLY done. The book and music will be the same, but I think the scenery and direction are going to be revamped...
Thanks, OP for posting this link. I didn't know anything about Casale's work, but now I'm planning to make the trek to La Mirada to see this. I saw the original production in Berlin many moons ago and was rooting for it at Paper Mill. Maybe this will be the shot in the arm it needs!!
Updated On: 4/25/16 at 09:18 PM
This will be amazing. The score is beautiful and hopefully this production will (possibly) start a national tour or (hopefully) a Broadway run. Might not but fingers crossed
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/2/14
Someone will have to record the show so I can see how Leslie handles the score!
Stand-by Joined: 7/7/15
On a side note, just listened to the German arrangement of Someday for the first time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFn_UUA36dk
That arrangement literally makes the show. What idiot decided it was a good idea to even touch that?
Understudy Joined: 3/17/15
All of the American Regional Productions are just that - original productions based on the book and score licensed by Disney - just like if any regional theater wished to do My Fair Lady. At this time, I assume, there is still no plan for Disney to produce this on Broadway or commercially in the United States.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
Has anyone seen The Little Mermaid at La Mirada yet? Based on the images, it seems that this is the same version that played Papermill Playhouse.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/costa-mesa/article/Photo-Flash-First-Look-at-La-Miradas-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-20160605
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/2/14
I have no idea if this is true but I heard that this show is being revamped for Broadway via these upcoming productions with Glenn Casale
I hope it's true, but most likely a rumor. Menken said the ship has sailed. Who told you that?
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