I hope it's true, but most likely a rumor. Menken said the ship has sailed. Who told you that?
But why toss the cast to the curb? There was nothing wrong with the original cast just that production.
Because this a new production with a new creative team. They did not pick the cast or the first US production and they are not picking a cast that fulfills their version of the show.
I would feel awful for the others though. They seemed to have a blast in the show and the cast was just perfect, especially Arden and Page, who got so much better at Paper Mill. But, is the new production really coming to Broadway? Wouldn't Menken be involved with it if it's planned for Broadway?
Broadway Star Joined: 1/29/16
A little off topic, but I was just thinking, how would Aladdin have looked if Glenn had directed it? Aladdin seems to have the same kind of problem that The Little Mermaid did; i.e. cheap sets, strange direction.
Stand-by Joined: 8/7/15
This might be a little off-topic too, but since you guys have been discussing the future of this show, I should note that it's also receiving a production in Tokyo starting in December of this year: https://www.shiki.jp/applause/notredame/special/release/ Based on the Shiki Theatre press release, it seems like they'll be basing their production on the La Jolla/Papermill production, though Japanese productions do sometimes change things like costumes and design elements for their versions of American shows (as with their version of Disney's Little Mermaid), so it'll be interesting to see what form the show takes there. I guess this is the licensing plan that Disney had for this show now being put into action, not just domestically but also on an international scale...
There's also a version in Denmark, later this year. Fundamentally, this property is so fantastic they'll be fighting over it.
http://www.mtishows.com/production/the-hunchback-of-notre-dame-0
And there will be a production in Budapest in July 2017.
How much can Casale really change? He can't get rid of the awful narration, can he? The "minstrel story" idea is really terrible.
Stand-by Joined: 8/7/15
Wow, a couple of upcoming international productions--I'm so excited for this show, I hope it finds success all over the world! The one thing I always wonder is if it would ever even consider going to France, considering they already have their own musical of "Notre-Dame de Paris" (which is much closer to the original novel)...
AEA Stage Manager said: "...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 )....
"
I'm not contradicting you with regard to HUNCHBACK, but when I worked at proscenium theaters in South Florida, we shared shows with the Music Center's theater-in-the-round circuit in the Northeast all the time. We built our own drops and shared the cost of set pieces (just as you suggest).
The actors were given one tech rehearsal to adjust from one style of blocking to another.
So I know it can be done.
GavestonPS- I know it can be done. Its done all the time, I just said its "hard to share" that is all. I have worked many a show that has transferred from, in the round to proscenium. Awe the life of doing shows in the round! So much freaking fun!
Understudy Joined: 3/17/15
The Tokyo one is the same production and design of the La Jolla/Paper Mill Playhouse production.
http://www.shiki.jp/navi/news/renewinfo/027787.html
The rest are just rights released as anyone could want. They would not be able to change the script.
Rumors are still flying about this project, but may never get to NYC due to the cost of mounting the production here. Might get to the West End, might tour Europe. But Disney in the states means something else then in other parts of the world. The over riding dark story would probably never fly well under the Disney banner - especially going back to the novel's ending.
Saw the show at Paper Mill and adore it . . . wishing it all the best.
Loved this in Berlin years ago. It played like Wagnerian opera...the German language has that effect. Can't wait to make the drive to see this iteration!!
Wildcard said: "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.
I saw The Little Mermaid last week. I must say I was unimpressed. The actress playing Ariel was quite good, and the comedic bits with the Chef were quite funny. But the sets, and in particular the boat and the pieces meant to represent waves and water, looked like they were from a high school production Yes, it is regional, but I went in expecting more.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/costa-mesa/article/Photo-Flash-First-Look-at-La-Miradas-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-20160605
"
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
So Tom Hewitt is out of La Mirada's Hunchback too? Not that Mark Jacoby is a bad replacement though
Was up for Quasimodo in this production, but couldn't make it out to all my callbacks due to being in NYC, so I'm curious to know who they cast in the show. Especially now that everyone is dropping out.
Was up for Quasimodo in this production, but couldn't make it out to all my callbacks due to being in NYC, so I'm curious to know who they cast in the show. Especially now that everyone is dropping out.
^I still congratulate you though :)
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
"The Cast for THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME features John McGinty as Quasimodo, Dino Nicandros as the singing voice of Quasimodo, Cassie Simone as Esmeralda, Mark Jacoby as Frollo, Keith A. Bearden as Clopin, Eric Kunze as Phoebus and the ensemble features: Brandon Burks, Doug Carfrae, Cherrie Badajos Cruz, Emily Dauwalder, Rachel Farr, Lance Galgon, Hannah Madeleine Goodman, Devon Hadsell, William Martinez, Kevin McMahon, Shanon Mari Mills, Shannon Stoeke, Stephanie Thiessen and Paul Zelhart.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/sacramento/article/Music-Circus-to-Present-HUNCHBACK-Featuring-Broadways-Lesli-Margherita-and-First-Deaf-Actor-to-Play-Quasimodo-John-McGinty-20160806
Casale's production in Sacramento which is only 10 days away has almost the same cast as who will be in La Mirada except for Lesli Margherita who will be performing Esmerelda and Andrew Foote who will be Clopin. Keith Bearden, a Wicked alumni will be performing Clopin in La Mirada. :)
Will be interesting to see how they feature Dino Nicandros who will be the singing voice for McGinty. I'm also looking forward to seeing how the choreography will change as I absolutely LOVE what Dana Solimando has done at La Mirada especially her masterful creation for their Billy Elliott production.
Hopefully someone here that will be attending the production in Sacramento will do a review.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/28/10
I saw this show a few weeks ago at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine. The production and performances were all top notch, but the material was difficult to connect to and follow. I am really not sure why --the material was very dense, with lots going on, similar to LES MISERABLES. But the creators were not able to make it all work. Too bad
Here are the press reels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_P_cZl2MsI
Yeah, that was painful to watch. I think it's a tough property to make work.
The problem here is that this is a deliberate rip off from the original productions. Nothing new at all. And with all respect to the actor who's Frollo, I think he's too young to be him.
I don't think anyone was expecting originality from Ogunquit. Casale's production will likely differ a great deal from the original stagings at La Jolla and Papermill.
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