Schwartz: HUNCHBACK Next for Broadway?- Page 2

[chino]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 12:47am

NO!

why not Hercules, Mulan or Aladdin?

[amalou]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 12:50am

"do many kids even like the movie to begin with?"

Come to think of it...no. At least I don't think so. The movie does sort of have a following but none of those fans are kids. It's mostly people who saw it as children, didn't like it, ended up seeing it again years later and it's suddenly like: "Oooohhh *that's* what that was about!"

[BroadwayBound86]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 12:53am

I thought it was originally going to transfer to Broadway, but Disney pulled the plug on it because it was too dark? I wonder what made them change their minds. The score is great. I have the German cast recording and I listen to it all the time. The only real changes they would need to make would be to switch to English. I do hope they would keep it just as dark.

[Little-Lotte]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:52am

Wow, I really hope this does happen and that the integrity of the German production remains intact. The German production, while following the movie, took out much of the kiddie aspects out of it. There's still the "Guy Like You" song, but it's one of the very few lighter moments in the show. The ending in German production is not happy at all, which is a major reason why Disney has not wanted the show in America without changes. I hope Schwartz didn't cave and allowed them to change it. I also hope that they try to do the original set design, because that was just so beautiful!

And yes, Drew Sarich should reprise his role. Too old? The man's only 32 and looks even younger than that onstage! I know Disney has been wanting him back in one of their shows for a while now. He had many callbacks for Prince Eric in "Mermaid". As far as what he's doing after Les Miz in London, well his contract ends in April and he was going to be auditioning in London for projects in Europe and in NYC. I know he would LOVE to be involved in the upcoming "Spiderman" musical. He doesn't want to be "out of the loop" in NYC so he doesn't want to stay gone too long. However if his wife (Ann Mandrella) ends up getting the gig I believe she may be getting, then he might stay over in Vienna for a while after he's done with Les Miz.

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:56am

Sarich auditioned for Eric? WOw. Never would have thunk. =) Mmmmmm.

[BroadwayBound86]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:16am

I think he came pretty close to getting it too....but I could be wrong...
Updated On: 1/12/08 at 02:16 AM

[Little-Lotte]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 7:08am

I believe it ended up being between him and Sean Palmer for the role. Obviously we know how it ended. I agree though, Eric was not a role I could see him doing at all! I was shocked when I was told about it! Drew also had a callback for Shrek as well, that one would have been...interesting to say the least.
Updated On: 1/12/08 at 07:08 AM

[dramaparoxysm23]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 7:41am

why not Hercules, Mulan or Aladdin?

Those are the same three shows that went through my mind.

Updated On: 1/12/08 at 07:41 AM

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 9:59am

Disney seem pretty stringent about the "family values" thing. I've read up lots about it in the past. That said, I'm amazed that they made some of the choices that they did in the German production. But judging by the cd, it was terrific. It's probably the best score Menken's ever done, IMO. If they're worried about the "darkness", they've got to remember that some of the audience would see it based on fame of the book and the films.

Updated On: 1/12/08 at 09:59 AM

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 10:40am

I agree with it being Menken's best score. I really wish Disney had the balls to do it in America, and do it right.

Who would play the best part in the entire thing, Frollo? I heard someone suggest Michael Cerveris earlier, I think he'd be great.

[jaso937]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 12:05pm

They NEED to bring this Broadway...dark of course...i think it will be a nice and welcome change from Disney. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE DREW to reprise his role...Drew is freckin amazing in case some of you didnt realize. Check out his Made of Stone clip from Chatterbox on youtube! He hits notes so effortlessly and acts wonderfully too!

[mominator]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 12:19pm

It might be a good idea IF they keep to the original story and not "Disnify" the ending.

[mattrob]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 12:35pm

I'm 18 and I must have been in the minority of children that loved the movie when it was released. It was my favorite Disney movie, other than Peter Pan and Aladdin. I really liked the villian Frollo, probably because i really liked villains in general I guess. Jafar, Captain Hook... all good. But I still really like it. In fact, I had to grow to appreciate Menken and Ashman's scores for Beauty and the Beast and the Little Mermaid. I guess I'm just weird:) Also this would make a stunning production on Broadway.

[musicaltheater1]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:08pm

This is probably the only animation that may translate well on stage. Also my favorite score from an animation. As long as Disney does not over animate things on its costume, choreography and lyrics (for the new songs) just for the sake of a "G or PG rating," it may work. Yes it's Disney and has to foretell the story to kids but it shouldn't be such an on-your-face storytelling that seems to infect their latest creations. Disney needs to distance itself from theme-park bombastic extravaganzas and concentrate on what Broadway theater goers and critics expect. I didn't like Lion King but the glory that once Taymor was hailed for shouldn't be mimicked and instead produce a simpler production that focuses on the genius of Menken's score and the true message of the original book.

Updated On: 1/12/08 at 01:08 PM

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:09pm

Me too, Mattrob, I was 6 when the movie came out and couldn't stop thinking about it. Frollo is definitely my favorite Disney villain, and one of my favorite villains in general. Such a great character.

[ohjustjake]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:21pm

I STILL haven't seen this movie. I should really go out and get it - I know the music from it but that's it.

Anyone know where I can find the German recording?

[Testing1232]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 1:50pm

<< I enjoyed seeing it performed as a stage version at Disney's MGM Studios in FL before they closed it for another attraction (which got cancelled and that space is still empty!). While it was of course a theme park show, one could just imagine how it could be expanded.
>>

That was THE best show at Disney. Dont know why they closed it !!! The actor that played "Quasi" sang the heck out of
"Out There" !!!

[fnyboi88]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:18pm

The recording I can't find anywhere online....

I've watched to bootleg of the production. I loved it! The set for it was great! I bet it sucked tho if it had technical problems. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, the entire stage floor is made up of platforms that lower and rise.)

[wickedfiyeroofoz]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 2:25pm

I would be first in line if they did an open call.

[Little-Lotte]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 3:35pm

German cast recording has been out of print ever since the production company Stella went under. You can occasionally find copies on eBay but be prepared to pay an arm and a leg.

[ulkis]

Posted: 1/12/08 at 4:14pm

I'll be hoping with all my might. Even if it flops, at least we'd get an English cast recording. (In fact, they should do that anyway, show or no show. Hell, sell it with the movie soundtrack. I just want a damn English recording as well.)

[tinkerscanne]

Posted: 1/13/08 at 1:06pm

"I enjoyed seeing it performed as a stage version at Disney's MGM Studios in FL before they closed it for another attraction (which got cancelled and that space is still empty!). While it was of course a theme park show, one could just imagine how it could be expanded. "

Yes, the space is still empty, BUT I heard from a Cast Member last month that they are refurbishing the theatre for new shows. I think B&TB at MGM is getting quite old now.

However, not to get off topic...

The idea of Hunchback as a musical is a good one, BUT, I am getting very tired of Disney's Broadway shows. It's time Disney backed away. Let the public miss it for a while, then come back with a quality show with high quality story, music, direction, scenic design, lighthing, costumes - um, you get the gist.

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 1/13/08 at 1:44pm

But the movie absolutely BUTCHERED Hugo's work... and it made me cry when I saw it back in the day (I was pretty little). The only way they could do this show would be to target it more towards adults. To me it's too in-between: too "sanitized" for adults, and too dark and scary for kids.

[amalou]

Posted: 1/13/08 at 4:09pm

The German production was more for adults than for kids. Nothing about it was very Disney at all. Seriously, if anyone has seen clip or even seen it live, they'd know. The sets and costumes are very good, but nothing about it suggests a typical bright, flashy Disney spectacle.

[BroadwayBound86]

Posted: 1/13/08 at 4:47pm

There are clips of it on the-site-that-must-not-be-named. It's not your typical Disney show. If they do decide to bring it to Broadway, I hope that they keep as much of the German production as possible because it was aimed towards adults more that children. The only thing that would bring children inwould be that it's Disney....nothing more than that.