Robbie-Yup, I just heard that too. They should have let Newsies continue playing, so Disney could save the spot.
Eurotrash-With mixed-positive reviews and depending on how it does at the Tonys, I say Honeymoon has until the end of summer.
Anyway:
So, I saw a video of Hunchback (I know, it's illegal, but I was very curious to see what they're doing with it), but unfortunately I was disappointed. It was just good. Not great, excellent etc. just good. Much better than Tarzan or Little Mermaid, but not as good as *Yup, I'm going to say it* Aladdin, Lion King, Mary Poppins or Newsies. Besides the fantastic music and Michael Arden's locked-in Tony winning performance, nothing stands out. They need a lot of work to do if it comes to Broadway.
*SPOILERS THROUGHOUT*
Pros:
The set is beautiful and how they work with it is clever. I just wish they went on the top where the window is (There are plenty of times they could use it like Frollo, trying to throw the baby Quasimodo & "Top of the World").
The music is Alan Menken's very best. The choir made it better since they fit the atmosphere perfectly. I wonder what they are going to do with it at Broadway (Churches or actors?). The songs are all gorgeous. My least favorite though was “Place of Miracles” because it did slow that part down.
All of the actors did a great job. Michael Arden is going to win the Tony or at least be a very strong contender in 2016 (if they do get the Nederlander for this fall). He steals in the show with his renditions of OUT THERE & MADE OUT OF STONE. He did a great job with his voice to make it sound like he's deaf and he did a wonderful job with the physical stuff. In whole, he's heartbreaking, naive, innocent & strong, and they could not cast a more perfect guy. Everyone was building up Patrick Page like crazy. But, to me, he was just good, nothing spectacular. He does a great job with Hellfire, but something is missing in his performance: How big of a threat Frollo is and how insane Frollo can be. Ciara and Andrew were perfect as Esmeralda and Phoebus. Ciara has just the right physical appeal, and the vocal & acting chops for Esmeralda. She’s sexy, but feisty, compassionate, and really brings out the fear in her in Act 2. I like how they made Phoebus kind of stupid (like in the book) and ignorant, and Andrew did a great job, bringing those things to the table.
Cons:
What brought the show down is the direction. It ranges from “WTH are you doing?” to really creative. For example, the red molt at the end is really clever and gorgeous. The Court of Miracles could look more colorful, but it looks fine the way it is. Now for the “WTH are you doing?” directions…Frollo’s death is a hot mess. It looks absolutely stupid. I know it’s hard to do with the set, but come on. They need to think harder. “Bells of Notre Dame” needs a lot of work. I have mixed feelings about the narration in that numbers with the characters, saying EVERYTHING that they’re doing (Like Jehan and Florinda saying that they’re running away together). I actually like the forth wall from the characters, but at the same time, I hate it because the narration is from the actors, portraying actors, portraying a character. The direction in that number needs a lot of work too, like how Frollo tries to kill Quasimodo & how they “hid” Florinda is really awful too. Also, when everyone has a monk costume on, please give Clopin like a red color or something. He should stand out, not fade in with everyone.
And speaking of Clopin and fading in, please give him back his role as the main narrator. I know that they’re trying to stray away from the Disney movie, but without the narration role, you might as well cut him out of the show. He has zero point & zero presence to the show. He’s a memorable character in the movie because he is over-the-top and zany. In this, they cut out what’s so fun about him that they cut out his purpose in the story.
With that said, I don’t mind the narrators, but they need to cut their lines and involvement. Stop telling us what the characters are doing when we can clearly see what’s going on. Like the climax scene at Act 2, we can clearly see the guards are trying to get into Notre Dame, so please being quiet. Also, when the narrators are gargoyles, I wish they actually had costumes to make it easier to see what they are portraying as.
Another thing is that in the Act 1 finale, Phoebus refuses to burn out the brothel and then says that “it’s the greatest honor”. Well with everyone out of the house, there’s no reason to say that. If Frollo made everyone stay in the brothel to burn and die, then the scene would be a lot more powerful and a real reason for Phoebus why refusing to burn down that place is “the greatest honor”. To sacrifice his life for others.
Also, PLEASE PLEASE restore Someday back to its former glory with the whole ensemble, singing it. The ensemble makes it powerful, bone chilling, and gorgeous. With it as only a duet with Esmeralda and Phoebus, it has the message and beauty, but not the haunting hook that it is missing. And please make the Bells of Notre Reprise at the finale, higher with the notes. It’s missing its epicness since the the notes are very low.
Lastly, I don’t like that Quasimodo kills Frollo. The message of the show is “What makes a monster and what makes a man?” And I know he is trying to avenge Esmeralda, but with Quasi killing Frollo, that, kind of, makes him a monster as well.
In conclusion, I did like the show, but unless they make major changes, I don’t think I’ll be seeing it on Broadway. It’s on to a good start, but they really need to fix some stuff. The price is worthy alone for the incredible music & Michael Arden.
BTW: I would LOVE to see Norm Lewis to take over for Patrick Page as Frollo! That would be magnificent!
Updated On: 1/20/15 at 11:44 AM
