Posted: 10/27/14 at 5:59pm
As I walked into the Mandell Weiss Theatre for a Sunday evening performance of Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," I was met by a towering set that filled the stage from edge to edge and top to bottom. It was well crafted, and I knew I was going to be in for something special.
As I sat down in my second row seat the scenery by Scenic Designer Alexander Dodge, seemed even more towering. On each side of the set, were gothic statues stacked three high and looking upon you as if commanding you to offer up your sins for forgiveness. There were Gargoyles, and stained glass to add to the beauty. The set had four galleries that were filled with 32 members of the SACRA/PROFANA choral ensemble, who helped to fill the room with the beautiful tunes penned by Steven Schwartz and Alan Menken. When we are taken inside the cathedral, a massive tower of bells is lowered into our view from the rafters of the theatre. It is the centerpiece of this fantastic set design, and does not disappoint.
As the show starts we are introduced to Quasimodo, in a very Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha sort of way. Michael Arden's portrayal of Quasimodo was honest and sweet. His voice handles all of the tunes he was given with ease, and he makes it easy to feel the pain of being the wayward outcast we have come to root for.
Ciara Renée as the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda, looked as though she was born to play this role. Her exotic beauty captivates you and if that is not enough, she destroys you with her vocals of "God Help the Outcasts." She handles the role with ease and mesmerizes with her dancing in "Topsy Turvy."
The role of Frollo is played with proper venom by Patrick Page. When page takes the stage to perform "Hellfire," he about brings down the house with his deep powerful voice. As the 32 piece choir kicks in they about knock the roof off the building. To me this was one of the best staged numbers in the show.
The rest of the ensemble does a fine job of creating the atmosphere we would expect from the show. They are used to hammer on large slabs of metal and create the wonderful sound of the bells of Notre Dame.
The dance numbers by Chase Brock, are fitting, but there is nothing in the show that is a show stopper. Mainly because this is not that type of show.
Scott Schwartz' direction moves the story along well without there ever being a moment when the show seemed to drag. He has put together a fine team here, and they should be quite proud of the art they have created.
I could nitpick a few places in the show, but they are small. I am sure these will be worked out before the show ever hits a Broadway stage. Quite an enjoyable evening.
Tickets to the show
Updated On: 10/27/14 at 05:59 PM
