Hunchback of Notre Dame Appreciation

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 2/3/22 at 8:34am

I have always loved the Disney animated film and had no idea they adapted it to a stage musical. I cannot stop listening to the cast recording! Why did this not go to Broadway? It is an absolutely gorgeous score!

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 2/3/22 at 9:45am

The rumor was that with Frozen being fastracked to Broadway killed the plans to bring Hunchback to Broadway. Also, the fact that the 2 regional productions got tempted reviews. I think it was a weird time for Disney. Tarzan opened and didn't do well. The Little Mermaid floundered. Then Newsies was a hit beyond what they expected, and Frozen mania took over. 

I remember watching clips of the 1999 Berlin production of Hunchback, along with reading the script and score and thought it was great. Dark, gritty. This new one seems to be a little more bright. I also cannot stand the voice Michael Arden uses for Quasimodo. 

[Nolan LuPone]

Posted: 2/3/22 at 9:52am

Menken and Schwartz wanted to bring it to Broadway with a giant choir, but labor laws in New York didn't allow the size they wanted. They refused to downsize, so Frozen went instead (which in my opinion was a bs alternative).

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 2/3/22 at 9:56am

I would be a lot happier with the final product, personally speaking, if more of the Berlin version was present in it. (Even cut together a fan script to that effect once.)

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/3/22 at 10:34am

It never got to Broadway essentially on Disney wanting Frozen first and the fact that the unions wouldn't except the choir being non-union and getting paid less then the equity minimum. The Papermill production was outstanding and rumors were that it would head straight to Broadway once the proper theater was found. Surprised Disney never put this out on tour at least.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/3/22 at 11:05am

The massive creative problems of the Papermill production, namely an embarrassing undergrad staging by a director who got the gig via nepotism, and a grating church pageant-style book that was a steep step down from James Lapine's in every way, are being understated. The cast was good and much of the music still gorgeous, but the show itself was not ready for New York. 

[JennH]

Posted: 2/3/22 at 11:29am

Not sure how you missed the memo as it was a huge deal at the time (not trying to be snarky, I"m genuinely confused), but basically the below points from Scarywarhol...I didn't go to see it at Papermill wanting to hate it. I never go to see something wanting to hate it, but I was so thrown at how misguided it was, that I couldn't comprehend how it had such an identity crisis and missed the mark. The movie isn't perfect tone wise thanks to the 3 gargoyles, but other than that, it's pretty even toned and of course that score is a damn masterpiece. And the narrative of "who's the monster, who's the man?" in terms of religious hypocrisy is made crystal clear. The stage musical does none of this.

The original Berlin production was far superior in making it familiar to a movie we all love and the changes made, make perfect sense. And yes some of the new music is lovely, Made of Stone is the best 'new' one for sure, but my heart still has pangs at how massively misguided this one was and how Schwartz and Menken let what is one of their best collabs be ruined by nepotism. The same thing happened with Prince of Egypt, I will shout to the rooftops until I die that it's Schwartzs' magnum opus. He let his sonny boy direct and it was a huge misfire. The Tuachan production had amazing design and epic production quality on par with how the film feels, but even that still can't hide a terrible script and confusing narrative. 

As one can tell I have FEELINGS about this. I will never understand the Schwartz duos' need to have their pieces be story theatre format. I'm not saying that it can't work, but their way of doing it comes off as childrens' theatre and treating the audience like they're dumb. There were always multiple reasons/rumors as to why it never made it to Broadway, one being the chorus scenario and another being that they all thought it was just too dark for what their typical demographic is. It's really not that dark, it almost dumbed down the dark depravity that I love about the film. 

Scarywarhol said: "The massive creative problems of the Papermill production, namely an embarrassing undergrad staging by a director who got the gig via nepotism, and a grating church pageant-style book that was a steep step down from James Lapine's in every way, are being understated. The cast was good and much of the music still gorgeous, but the show itself was not ready for New York."

 

Updated On: 2/3/22 at 11:29 AM

[stoptheworld38]

Posted: 2/3/22 at 9:31pm

If a production of Hunchback ever needs choir singers, they just gonna hit me up and I'll literally do it for free.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 2/3/22 at 10:18pm

Interesting to hear about the choir AEA issues. Surely Disney could afford as many actors as they wanted, and never actually believed AEA would allow any non-union cast members perform in a Broadway show.

From what I remember, as a couple others said, it was always planned for Broadway but the reviews were mixed at best, and Disney didn’t want another flop…and let’s be honest, it would have flopped. It is a good show but WAY too dark for a commercial audience.

Updated On: 2/3/22 at 10:18 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 2/4/22 at 10:49am

I think it would be something special if they did a site specific production or concert of the show at Notre Dame when it reopens. 
 

I think Scott Schwartz as the director for anything means the death of that project. Have been thinking how great Alex Timbers would’ve been on this or like literally anyone else.

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 2/4/22 at 11:53am

I don't think it will ever come to Broadway but yes, the score is absolutely lovely and soaring. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 2/4/22 at 1:21pm

We will never understand it, but Stephen Schwartz is almost exclusively interested in story theatre. Godspell, Pippin, Children of Eden, Hunchback, Prince of Egypt. It’s what he’s into. (I suspect he tried to impose some of that on Wicked as well but it didn’t stick.)

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 2/4/22 at 3:10pm

Sutton Ross said: "I don't think it will ever come to Broadway but yes, the score is absolutely lovely and soaring."

Never say never. Even if it were just for a limited engagement, I would be fine with it. Who knows, maybe people would like it if they got the chance to see it. Newsies was supposed to be a limited run but ended up running for two years. Anything is possible if someone commits to it.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 2/4/22 at 3:10pm

I remember seeing this in Berlin. I went with a friend who is a total Disney geek. We both loved the show and I still listen to the German cast album from time to time. It was a huge production with a cast of 44.

I said to my friend, at the time, that I couldn't imagine Disney ever bringing this production to Broadway. It was just too dark to be marketed as a family show.

Updated On: 2/4/22 at 03:10 PM

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 2/4/22 at 3:11pm

Updated On: 2/4/22 at 03:11 PM

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 2/4/22 at 3:11pm

Double Post

Updated On: 2/4/22 at 03:11 PM

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 2/4/22 at 3:23pm

darquegk said: "We will never understand it, but Stephen Schwartz is almost exclusively interested in story theatre. Godspell, Pippin, Children of Eden, Hunchback, Prince of Egypt. It’s what he’s into. (I suspect he tried to impose some of that on Wicked as well but it didn’t stick.)"

Well, if anything, that means your "budget Wicked" concept from many moons ago will be the one he encourages to go wide. (Remember to ask for adaptor credit and minor back-end participation.)

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 2/4/22 at 4:30pm

This thread is my time to shine: I’ve been obsessed with Hunchback since before the stateside production. The Disney movie was always one of my favorites: the score is Menken’s best IMO and the animation is gorgeous—the “Sanctuary” scene in particular is the stand out moment for me. I found the Berlin production on YouTube probably when I was in middle school, some blessed person had put the entire bootleg up with English subtitles, it was thrilling. There also at one point was a website with the entire English libretto. I thought it was such an awesome expansion of the Disney movie. I’ve read the novel twice and think it’s just such an epic story (that bares almost no plot similarities to the Disney film aside from the basic situation) despite some tediously detailed chapters. I also watched the French rock opera Notre Dame de Paris on YouTube (and have tickets to see it at Lincoln Center in July) which is very loyal to the book and extremely well done. Obviously I was thrilled when the US Premieres were announced. I saw it at Papernill twice and loved it both times. Whenever those bells flew in I just got goosebumps. I will be the first to admit it’s not perfect but I love it. I think certain things were stronger in Berlin—particularly in Act 2 (Out of love and Someday)—but love the expansion of Frollo’s arc and many of the ways they brought the story closer to the book without losing the Disney essence. My biggest qualm is the narration, I don’t mind it but there is too much. “Jehan and the girl left”, I am watching them leave you don’t need to say it. The narration also chops up the momentum of the climax. I think it absolutely should make it to Broadway at some point. I think with a large ensemble it can survive without the full choir. Either way I’d love to see some tweaking to perfect things. It’s one of my favorite shows/movies/whatever form it’s in so I’m definitely biased but o well.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 2/4/22 at 7:47pm

Anybody who wants to see it tweaked is welcome to DM me for my take.

[JennH]

Posted: 2/8/22 at 11:48am

bwayobsessed said: " I also watched the French rock opera Notre Dame de Paris on YouTube (and have tickets to see it at Lincoln Center in July) which is very loyal to the book and extremely well done. Obviously I was thrilled when the US Premieres were announced"

I cannot even begin to say how jealous I am...I ADORE that one, a dear friend introduced me to it years ago and have loved it ever since! Much more faithful to the book than the Disney film (though I love the film for what is DOES do right), and it's far superior than the current stage iteration of that film.  I'm not kidding, I screamed bloody murder when I saw the news that it would make in NYC debut back in 2020, and absolutely would have bought a ticket, even splurged for a more pricey one...this production is EVERYTHING. There are no words in the English language to describe how devastated I am that I can't see it, I'm moving out of NYC at the very tail end of June for a new job so I'm barely missing it, UGH!  

Updated On: 2/8/22 at 11:48 AM

[bwayobsessed]

Posted: 2/8/22 at 2:21pm

JennH said: "bwayobsessed said: "I also watched the French rock opera Notre Dame de Paris on YouTube (and have tickets to see it at Lincoln Center in July) which is very loyal to the book and extremely well done. Obviously I was thrilled when the US Premieres were announced"

I cannot even begin to say howjealous I am...I ADORE that one, a dear friend introduced me to it years ago and have loved it ever since! Much more faithful to the book than the Disney film (though I love the film for what is DOES do right), and it's far superior than the current stage iteration of that film. I'm not kidding, I screamed bloody murder when I saw the news that it would make in NYC debut back in 2020, and absolutely would have bought a ticket, even splurged for a more pricey one...this production is EVERYTHING. There are no words in the English language to describe how devastated I am that I can't see it, I'm moving out of NYC at the very tail end of June for a new job so I'm barely missing it, UGH!

"
 

I never buy tickets more than like 2 weeks in advance and I bought them for Notre Dame de Paris as soon it was announced in 2020. Obviously covid had other plans for 2020 🙃