HUNCHBACK La Jolla Previews

[TheatreKid3]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 12:00am

Disney's new American production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME begins preview performances tonight at La Jolla Playhouse in California.

I know many of us would love to hear some first reactions/responses as soon as possible, so if you attend please tell us what you thought!

I'm really hoping this lives up to it's potential. Fingers crossed.

Updated On: 10/26/14 at 12:00 AM

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 12:30am

I'm going on Tuesday night.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 8:51am

Can't wait to hear thoughts!...a bit nervous for this one though. Updated On: 10/26/14 at 08:51 AM

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 10:11am

We're going to be out in the area around Thanksgiving and are debating getting tickets. (We did see Side Show last year) - but the ticket prices are daunting.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 5:30pm

Is anyone going tonight?

[The Josh]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 7:37pm

Very excited to hear about this. My favorite Disney movie!

[IanMorton1]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 10:15pm

really want this to be positive and on broadway this season

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 10:49pm

I think because of the fact that it will also be mounted at Papermill in the spring, it would most likely end up on Broadway next season.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 10/26/14 at 10:50pm

I wouldn't hold my breath for this season, but Most likely, next.

[twotrey]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 1:24am

I'm going on the official opening night on the 9th... but, needless to say, quite curious to hear the reaction and development from the preview period.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 8:15am

There's a glowing review on Instagram from last night.

But, yeah, I'm looking SO forward to this. I'm not a fan of the movie, but I know that this'll be a great theatrical experience!

[theatergoer3]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 8:59am

Seeing this at Papermill so hope it's good.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 2:34pm

Does anyone know where the producing team is intended this show to go? Are sights set for Broadway or just regional theatres? Back in January, there was the workshop that happened (with both Michael Arden and Patrick Page), which made me think that the La Jolla production would be almost testing the waters as a pre-Broadway tryout. But, with the Paper Mill production also scheduled, I wonder what the plan is? Is it assumed that Arden and Page will also be in the Paper Mill production – and, will there continue to be changes made to the script during the Paper Mill production previews?

[gleek4114]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 2:38pm

Side Show and Aladdin both had 2 engagements before broadway was announced. I think it just depends on how it is recieved. Being that it is a Disney show, I can only assume that it has it's eyes on broadway

Updated On: 10/27/14 at 02:38 PM

[Sousaphun]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 2:46pm

Saw it last night. Michael Arden is just phenomenal, I can't imagine a better Quasi. The final sequence is so emotionally devastating, not a dry eye in the house.

Updated On: 11/4/14 at 02:46 PM

[dramamama611]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 3:03pm

I'm not a huge Disney fan, and have never seen (gasp) their Hunchback but give me some Michael Arden ANY DAY, and I'll buy a ticket.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 3:16pm

I saw this produced in Berlin in 1999 (Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame). I love the movie and obviously knew the story and songs, so seeing it in German was not a problem. A cast album was recorded and it's quite good. I remember that the physical production was gargantuan...sets, projections, etc. The show ran for three years in Berlin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kUwIYdLbKc




Updated On: 10/27/14 at 03:16 PM

[MrJude]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 4:59pm

http://www.lajollaplayhouse.org/downloads/kbyg/Hunchback_KBYG-1.pdf

the link is to a sort of online guide for the production, there's a cast list and a song list. From the looks of it, no three sidekick Gargoyles and their song has been cut. There's also a bunch of other characters. Frollo is no longer a judge and there's some other production notes in an interview near the end. Enjoy!

[gleek4114]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 5:21pm

Frollo was never a judge. He's the Archdeacon of the cathedral.

[BroadwayBenny]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 5:36pm

He's a judge in the animated film.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 7:52pm

The final sequence is so emotionally devastating, not a dry eye in the house.

So, Esmerelda DOES die in the end? Also, how is Frollo defeated?

[theatregeek6]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 7:56pm

Follow as the Archdeacon in the Hugo novel. Disney made Schwartz/Menken change him to the Minister of Justice for the animated movie

[ILOHTFAHA (Aida Man)]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 9:17pm

I am also wondering if Esmeralda dies, if they still try to burn her at the stake, and how Frollo is defeated.....

[grumpyoptimist]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 9:32pm

The attached Playbill story gives some background on the judge/archdeacon juxtaposition.

Saw it last night, was in fantastic shape for a first preview. The set is glorious...the chorus onstage really adds to the richness as well. A few nit picky issues that will be worked out, but very solid. As said earlier, no one number is overwhelmingly memorable, but as a whole it works. The show is dark and sexual(I've been telling people I wouldn't recommend it for children under 12).

I thought there were a couple points in the first act that dragged slightly and that act could use a sprinkling of a bit more humor, the second act was gripping and flew by in no time at all (I heard several patrons making similar comments about Act II on the way out). Arden is sympathetic, tragic and mostly brilliant, Ciara Renee enchanting. For me, Patrick Page was worth the price of admission alone. He was freaking brilliant...conniving, confident, conflicted and pure evil as a man of the cloth. His demise could use some work, I didn't think the staging of that moment was up to the quality of the rest of the show.


A Devil of a Role: Stage Veteran Patrick Page Gets Dark and Twisted in The Hunchback of Notre Dame Updated On: 10/27/14 at 09:32 PM

[grumpyoptimist]

Posted: 10/27/14 at 9:40pm

BTW, Alan Menken was three rows in front of me. Before the show he appeared to be relaxed and very accommodating to anyone who came up to chat, get autographs, and I saw more than a couple of selfies being shot with him. Stephen Schwartz was also there (not in my sight line in the theatre so can't comment on pre-show), but after the show was also personable speaking to people and signing autographs in the lobby (La Jolla Playhouse doesn't have a Stage Door).