HUNCHBACK La Jolla Previews — Page 11

I saw this in La Jolla, and I have to say that I was extremely disappointed. I really, really disliked the show and felt that I had been talked down to the whole time. For me it was a very uncomfortable mix of heavy serious theme with "cartoon" music. I'm afraid the music seemed to veer very abrutly from cartoon to dark and even the choir (which was an element that I liked) wasn't used as effectively as it could have been. Now, I will admit the audience that I saw it with seemed to love it, but, I personally, was a bit insulted.

I had seen the film years ago, which for all its faults, I pretty much enjoyed (not my favorite Disney musical, though). If they were going to keep most of the music from the movie, I believe the should have kept the more fantasy elements (like the talking gargoyles). The music seemed to fit that style better than the kind of hybrid that was presented.

Also, about the staging, I've been a subscriber at La Jolla for about 10 years, and when the set is so closed in (as was the case with this show), large cast shows seem very cramped on that stage. If the set is more stylized and open, then the casts and movement don't seem so cramped (as on the Topsy Turvy number). I think the staging even with the same set on a differently configured stage might be alright.

Updated On: 2/14/15 at 12:53 PM

sctrojan65,
The obvious answer to your question is Flight into Egypt which seemed like it was from a completely different show (perhaps an early draft of Joseph/Dreamcoat?). I could be wrong, but it seems like The Court of Miracles, The Tavern Song and Rhythm of the Tambourine might be others. However, perhaps it was the orchestrations rather than the actual songs that were jarring to me? It just seemed that the show would go from the heavy, church-influenced sound with the chorus and then the solo numbers didn’t quite fit that sound as they were more typically Broadway-style songs. To my ear, it was a bit of an uncomfortable mix. I have to admit that I only saw the show once, and I do not have super strong memories of some of the specific songs. I haven’t really made a point of analyzing or parsing the show. It just seemed more like a “miss” to me than a “hit”.

There just seemed to be something tonally off about the show.

Updated On: 2/15/15 at 08:13 PM

Hunchback along with Let The Right One In was two of the best shows I saw last year, did Hunchback have a couple of issues, of course. Nothing that can't be fixed, it was dark and it was the perfect tone for the show. Those who are basing there reviews soley on a video (botleg at that ) need to put there money where there mouth is and see it on stage.

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Thanks, mish. Just curious.
I think, for me, the Tavern songs made me almost think a little of "Master of the House" from Les Miserables. So that worked for me in that way.
Regarding the "Flight/Egypt" song, I can see your point. The first time I saw the show, I thought the song a bit odd too though.
The second time I saw the show with another friend who wanted to see it (we both worked for Disney years ago), the song seemed better to me and I felt like I "got it" a little more. I suppose I almost saw it as providing some comic relief from a rather dark show.
I don't think any of the songs though ever really allowed me to totally lose the depth and themes of the show.
But I can see what you're saying. Even the movie goes from that glorious choral number of "Bells of Notre Dame," but then moves into lighter fare such as "Guy Like Me." Then "Topsy Turvy" to "God Help the Outcast." On to "Hellfire." It's kind of all over the place too.
Now again, had they put in that "Friend Like Me" number I would have found that disconcerting. That would have been entering an Aladdin realm with that song. Too light, IMO.
The rest though I was mostly okay with. For this production, that is.
Again though, that's my opinion. Some things work better for some than others.
I've certainly seen my share of shows where my opinion didn't match that of the majority.
Such as Urinetown, which I did not like at all, but I know many others did.
I wasn't a huge fan of Book of Mormon or Kinky Boots either. But they are both big hits with audiences.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal taste.
Thanks for your response. Interesting perspectives.

Updated On: 2/15/15 at 11:51 PM

rosscoe,
No, you didn't offend me. I can't make it through bootleg recordings. They miss the most important aspect of theatre, which is the live dynamic of the actors and audience in the same space feeding each other. I have enjoyed some professional recorded productions (The Nance, Frankenstein, come to mind), but I can't make it through some grainy, handheld bootleg recording. Even shows that I've really wanted to see, I'll think, "Ok, let's give this a try. It's the only way that you'll see this." But, I only make it a few minutes before I turn it off. So I share your feels about judging a show based on a bootleg. I just wanted to be clear (I guess I was pretty emphatic about having seen the show in person) that my feelings weren’t based on a bootleg.

I’m interested to hear what will be different, in New Jersey. I do want the show to succeed.

I'm with you, mish. I'd like to see it succeed too.

BTW, Mo….who exactly in the cast did they replace for Paper Mill? Do you happen to know?

They only replaced the three local Actors from LaJolla.

I thought the show was excellent in CA, I think the changes will be slight, I do hear they are trying to make it darker (less comedic) and simplifying the costumes and adjusting the set a bit. I'm very excited to see it again and again in NJ since it's a short train trip from NYC.