HUNCHBACK La Jolla Previews- Page 6

[Nateben2]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 5:16am

Given unions in the states, there is NO WAY the German production could have been done here - besides, I am not sure the writers were every 100% thilled by that produciton.

I am intrigued by the statement above " Disney makes more money licensing the shows than actually producing them." What shoes have the made more by liscensing then producting - other the then Jr. Series?

[sctrojan65]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 6:44am

Got it, Curtain. Good way to look at it.

I was just concerned because it sounded like its predecessor has set some bar already that this one will be inevitably compared to. And it sounds like the Berlin production was so lavish that anything this one does will come up short.

And personally I thought it was quite compelling and full of emotion. I'd like to see it succeed.

You make a good point that most Americans won't have enough knowledge of the other production to compare it to. Of course, there are always the critics who might, and force infuse the comparison.

I just hope that Disney doesn't go too cheap on it. It would make me think of how they do some of their parks; taking the low budget route, and then have to go back and redo things because they did come out cheap-looking. Yes, I'm looking at you, Disney's California Adventure.

Just curious, what do you all think will be the target audience? It seemed kind of mature for the youngsters. But adults might see it as Disney and not have interest either. Or maybe this is why they are leaving Disney off the marquee/program?

[mrkringas]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 7:50am

I think it sounds fabulous. The one difference not so keen on is the duet version of Someday but small things.

Also Made of Stone isn't in a lower key. He still has that awesome B flat but ends on something more like G rather than the ridiculous long top C from falsetto to full on mix.

Arden is giving a really interesting performance.

Oh and surely the top D at end of the title sung is still there? Just sung by soprano in the choir.

Updated On: 11/10/14 at 07:50 AM

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 8:16am

"They wanted a production that can easily be recreated at the smallest levels."

Well then they sure picked the wrong show to do. I find it interesting that people are calling the berlin production massive. It actually wasn't a very big show. Compared to the La jolla show, yes the berlin show was massive I guess. I think the Berlin production was more at the heart of what a hunchback show should be.

Why even do a show like this if you are only concerned about keeping it easy on the wallet? Hunchback should be a passion project, not some prelim for licensing.

Hunchabck creating team, if you are reading this (and I'm sure you are) please, consider these 2 changes:

- Get rid of the narrators. The critics will eat them alive.

- "Someday"....It's essentially the theme of the whole show. Bits of it should be played throughout the whole show ( it probably is). But let the choir and ensemble rip that song to shreds during the jail scene. Even at the end of the finale, it sounds like they are holding back. The berlin actors made that that song the highlight of the show, and they didn't even have a choir.

Updated On: 11/10/14 at 08:16 AM

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 9:44am

^^Agreed 100%. And make Clopin the narrator, like he's supposed to be

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 9:59am

sctrojan, it's only a "high bar" if a lot of people have seen it, and if it was such a "high bar" why have they gone so far away from it. Some people on this thread seem to know the German production backward and forward, but as an avid theatre-goer I've never even heard the German CD. Was the German production reviewed by many NY or American critics?
As far as tapering a show to tour or be done by others, well, duh, DISNEY is an entertainment Business and that would certainly be a concern, but there's not someone running around every rehearsal yelling "Change that! It won't fit in a truck!" But all of DISNEY's Shows have used Theatre creatives and Artists, and I'm sure their goal is to make the best show they can. (Of course they are not always successful).
The "target" audience is always tuff, but again, if they create a great show and production it will catch on by all different kinds of audiences. Again, I don't think anyone is running around screaming: "Change that! The little girls who love WICKED won't like that!"

I am encouraged by all the good things I am reading about HUNCHBACK and I hope it succeeds (And I am not always a DISNEY Theatricals Fan.) It seems that are making Artistic choices with this show that are a risk, but the show is "touching" people and we will have to see what the critics will say. I will see it in a few weeks and am very excited to have a reason to return to lovely San Diego/La Jolla and to see Arden's "return" to the musical stage, where I think he belongs.

[sctrojan65]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 12:51pm

And I'm only going off the praise that some here are giving the Berlin production. So who really knows.

I think there is a lot of potential with this production if it's given credit on its own merits. And Michael Arden, who I'm not that familiar with, had me the moment he came on stage.

And as a side note, I did like how they transformed him. As soon as he turned, streaked the grease across his face and hunched over, he had me. I really loved his performance.

It wasn't without its occasional need-of-a-tweak moments. Again, the narration threw me a bit. You're becoming absorbed in the action and then someone steps forward with "And then…." You're kind of like, um, huh? What? It didn't break the flow horribly, but will be interested to see how others feel about it.

And I'm eager to see your thoughts on it, Curtain, since you'll be seeing it.

I only live about an hour north of La Jolla so will be seeing it again with a former Disney friend who wants to see it, as well. I am eager to see how my second take is on the show when I see it on Nov. 22. I just hope Arden is in it that night.

I will say that once I put the movie out of my head and started to envelop myself in this particular take on the story, I found it quite emotional and heartbreaking in many ways.

I, too, anticipated some lush and glorious opening with "Bells" and equally was curious how lavishly they would stage "Topsy Turvy." Both are a little different and the choreography for TT is simple and unassuming.

Still, the power of this show is in its emotion, so that certainly wasn't overshadowed by any flashy dance numbers. It was allowed to speak its message in a way that was, while different from the movie in many ways, effective.

I hope it finds an audience and succeeds. Certainly it has the artistry and talent to transfer splendidly on to Broadway (and even majestically and largely if they choose to take it in that direction).

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 1:19pm

My question though is if this Berlin production was so amazingly grand, why wasn't the same model used here?

Given unions in the states, there is NO WAY the German production could have been done here

And it sounds like the Berlin production was so lavish that anything this one does will come up short.

Some people on this thread seem to know the German production backward and forward, but as an avid theatre-goer I've never even heard the German CD.

I did personally see the Berlin production the summer of 1999 and I do believe many of the comments about it come from those who viewed a bootleg video, only saw photos, or simply restate years of optimistic rumors and hearsay.

Yes, it was hugely expensive because of the technology used at the time for the grid of blocks that made up the stage floor. I don't really see how it would affect unions in any way at this time on Broadway.

The stage was very large as is the theatre. Hunchback was the inaugural show at that theatre, which was part of a large and expensive redevelopment of a downtrodden district (Potsdamer Platz, a once vibrant and busy commercial district, was bombed into ruins during WWII, bisected by the Berlin wall, and left to neglect until reunification). The opening of that theater was part of a major move in the new Germany, focusing on an honest acknowledgment of the past while creating a new vision for the future.

The show itself really wasn't that huge or lavish or grand. 90% of the staging was projections on blocks. God Help the Outcasts had the one truly visually stunning scenic design, but much of the rest really just looked like projections on blocks and in some scenes (like the first act finale) really came off as awkward or silly. Topsy Turvy was basically an empty stage with a cart in the middle with very simplistic choreography. Hellfire introduced two units on either side that looked like large bookshelves with people standing on them. I don't remember anything on stage for Someday except the cast (and Esmerelda's mysterious appearance). Honestly, if the Berlin production were to have its world premiere on Broadway today instead of where and when it did, I don't think it would be very well-received. Probably along the lines of The Little Mermaid. The Berlin production seems to receive most of its praise simply because it was the first staging of a much-anticipated property.

[sctrojan65]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 1:47pm

Thanks, Matt. Interesting.

The La Jolla Playhouse FB site has started posting some opening night pics. After-party type pics.

Those who have commented on the site have positive things to say about it. Some are nothing that a few people who are affiliated with the Playhouse are saying it's the best they've seen at the theater, if not one of the best.

[Justin D]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 2:41pm

Good points about the Berlin version, I also found the photos looked better than the videos, but that usually is the case. But Yes today it would be a very expensive production to replicate and not the best way to go. Dont forget, anything over technical when it comes to sub stage is very expensive, and that whole stage moved up and down aswell as tilted. Sometimes, something may look simple but is rather technical underneath.
That being said, I wonder how the projections would look nowadays that technology is so much better, I found that sometimes the projections looked very washed out in places and often clashed with the mottled texture that they were projected on. I've also wondered if it were done today if they might not try using LED panels in the cubes rather than projections (even more expensive)

Also where would that Berlin version go? the Foxxwoods is the only stage that probably could hold it. The Winter Garden has a nice wide stage too, but not that deep or high, and Disney does prefer to deal with the Nederlanders it seems.

Im just happy it's getting done, and I just hope that if it does make it to Broadway, that it wont close before I get a chance to see it a few times.

[Nateben2]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 3:18pm

How big was the cast in the Berlin production . . . ?

It seems like the size of the theater in Berlin was much bigger the a typical Broadway house, or at least was built more recently to handle some of that technology. (I am unsure what Broadway theater could take that sort of set).

I would asume the challange is to get the number of voices you want to sing that score . . . with differen't unions in the states . . . is a challnage for a commerical production.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 3:29pm

From what I remember, the Musikal Theater was about similar is scale to the Foxwoods or Gershwin. The cast was probably around 20-25.

[Justin D]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 7:11pm

But I have been wondering the same thing, can you have a choir in a broadway show?
like a choir that is a choir, not of broadway actors/singers

and how would that work? most people in choirs have 'regular' 9-5 jobs, to be at the theatre 8 times a week?

Has anything similar been done before?

I assume you can get the same sound by having it made up of ensemble. would they allow some pre-recording?

[Nateben2]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 7:33pm

Choirs have been done on Broadway before - although it a quirk of contracts - and I think has been dealt with differnetly every time.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 9:14pm

Didn't JOSEP have a revolving children's choir at one time?

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 11/10/14 at 10:13pm

there are over 100 of us in the choir... we all have different schedules and some of us perform 3 shows a week... we also have alternates who perform in case something happens...

[mikey2573]

Posted: 11/11/14 at 3:42am

CORAM BOY, which was not a musical, had an onstage choir.

[Nateben2]

Posted: 11/11/14 at 5:21am

The Gospel at Colonus had choir(s)

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/11/14 at 5:34am

Well, VARIETY loved it. And praised Arden's performance!

[Wicked Fanatic]

Posted: 11/11/14 at 4:09pm

Variety Review...
http://variety.com/2014/legit/reviews/hunchback-notre-dame-musical-review-disney-1201352620/

Union-Tribune SD Review...
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/10/hunchback-of-notre-dame-la-jolla-playhouse-review/

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/11/14 at 11:35pm

It's only 2 reviews but besides saying there was a German production not one comparision. I don't think it's going to be an issue.

[owenblinky]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 4:59am

Berlin had a 50 piece orchestra. La Jolla has a 13 piece orchestra. That alone makes Berlin the winner in my book.

But let's examine the other shortcomings:

This show relies so heavily on the chorus it's ridiculous. They fill in for Clopin. They fill in for the gargoyles. For pete's sake they even fill in for the character's actions with that blasted narration. They're a freaking placeholder for all the show's unsolved problems. Maybe the German gargoyles were goofy-looking but at least their role in the show was clearly defined. This chorus is literally all over the place.

And That narration is giving me blue balls the way it completely interrupts the music in the finale. Every time they speak in turn or shout out in unison it sounds like La Vie Boheme from Rent. "WINE AND BEER!" No thanks.

And while I respect and understand the decision to make Frollo archdeacon, Judge Frollo was more baddass and in a much better place to drive the action forward. Just look at the opening number, it used to be intense and scary and exciting... now it's convoluted and tepid.

[QuasiFrollo]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 5:15am

Did you actually see it? Or are you basing this on the audio?
Genuinely curious.

[owenblinky]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 5:22am

I'm seeing it next week. I'm sure its gonna be great but it's clearly got problems evident in the audio and other people's reports.

[QuasiFrollo]

Posted: 11/12/14 at 5:29am

It's far more convincing in context. I'm not suggesting you'll do a 180 once you've seen it, but the recording definitely does not do it justice.