Hunchback Album — Page 5

IT'S SO GOOD.

I bought the CD here in Germany yesterday. I still think that the German recording is superior, especially Drew Sarich in the title role. But its great to have a further recording of Menkens best score in my opinion.

Why did they keep the stupid narration in the finale? Just... why... IT'S A SCORE ALBUM!!!

No words...

I'm listening right now. I'm on the second track, and I'm very impressed so far.

The narration doesn't really bother me. If anything I think it actually translates better on the cast album since we don't have the visuals of the stage production. On stage there were instances where the ensemble was narrating as the actors were showing us the action which seemed unnecessary but when the visual is stripped away the narration is providing the listener with useful information describing the action that we can't see. I know most cast albums just require the listener to use their imagination in those instances but it is what it is. The narration was part of the storybook concept used to tell the story on stage. I didn't expect that they would remove it all for the album.

I kind of like the belt on "Heaven's Light." The first part is tender like in the film and I appreciate that but I like how the belted section melts into the intro to "Hellfire."

Also I wish Rhythm of The Tamborine ended on a belt note.

I can't speak for the accent but my understanding of the voice is that the character is portrayed in the show as nearly deaf from living in the bell tower all those years and has difficulty communicating. It's a throwback to the 1939 film version and the original novel in which Quasimodo could barely speak and is described as being half blind as well.

Updated On: 1/22/16 at 06:24 PM

CATS, I'm not saying it's not based in a good place or contextually correct, I just think for a musical version, it should be dropped. We're suppose to be on his side, we know he's deformed, we don't need the voice.

LOVING THIS. Some minor quibbles, very sad this isn't coming to Broadway yet.

I like most people, it seems, am disappointed by the changes to Someday. Both singers sound terrific (gosh Ciara has such a beautiful sound at such a young age! Super jealous!) but the choir coming at the end on the Der Glokner... cast album was so incredibly beautiful, I'd sad not to hear that.

I am the biggest Drew Sarich fan, but Michael Arden does such a beautiful job, and goodness he holds a glorious long note! "Leave me alone! (Made of Stone), "Spend one day out there" (Out There) and "Sound the alarm!" (Esmeralda) are amazing. I keep going back to listen to those specific notes.

Loving the Ener'acte!

Love me Patrick Page, I can't fathom the personal struggles he's had, and you wouldn't know...He truly captures Frollo. Bless him.

The end of "Esmeralda." Perfection.

I am sad at the changes in the opening number (Bells of..) why did they change it so it was about Frollo's brother? So he could say he loved someone at the end of the show? The film version was perfection (with Quasi's Mom), they shouldn't have messed with it. Also didn't like the narration saying "and this happened...meanwhile!, etc" Granted, I didn't see the staged version, but it's such a strong piece on it's own, why make it a play within a play?

And of course, thrilled to hear the "new" non-movie material in English finally. Essie's intro into "Someday" especially, and the Finale always kills me.

Overall, so, so pleased this recording was made!

Updated On: 1/22/16 at 10:45 PM

The opening as it exists now feels like the opening to "Ragtime," only none of the information ends up useful. Just a lot of narrative facts flung at you.

I'm also still really bugged by the iffy cover art. I made my own cover based on the German CD cover for my iTunes.

I would have liked cover art using the Papermill Playhouse artwork but it's kind of difficult to find a place to add additional text the way that they imprinted the logo on the bell.