The Hunchback of Notre Dame

I've been researching this show over the past month, and found the full cast recording of Der Glöckner von Notre Dame on YouTube. The music is just so beautiful. It puzzles me that Disney hasn't brought this to the states yet, even though I do understand their concern over the darker nature of the show. At this day in time, I don't think that matters as much. I just tell myself they are working on it to make it even better and that, when it does open, it will be incredible.

But back to the point,

I was just thinking and, to me, it seems to me that this show could be a likely candidate for what eventually will replace POPPINS at the New Amsterdam. It will no doubt need a huge theatre and the New Amsterdam would be perfect for it. Also, while listening to the cast recording on YouTube, someone commented saying that "[they] can't wait until this show comes to the states! 2014 can't come soon enough!" To me, that seems like a realistic timeline. And, as everyone knows, there have been little news stories here and there in the media over the last few years suggesting the show might be coming to America. I take that comment with a grain of salt, but it is interesting think about nonetheless.

All that aside, I do think HUNCHBACK could be Disney's new mega-musical.

One issue that comes up is the show was very much a pet project of Michael Eisner (he was even pushing for a live action TV movie musical adapatation) who is no longer with Disney.

Aladdin is coming in 2014 so thats gonna put the nail in Notre Dame for that time frame (and as someone who has some insider info on this, Notre Dame is nowhere on the list for DTG right now, theres at least half a dozen projects that will see NYC first)

^like I said insider info

Hunchback is one of my favorite Disney films and it's such a beautiful, theatrical score...I really wish they'd bring it to New York but I feel like it's one of those properties that Disney doesn't capitalize on or merchandise much. It's definitely on the darker side for an animated Disney film, and I wonder how successful they'd be marketing the stage version to the family and tourist set that normally attends the Disney shows.

Can't stand Pocahontas..

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There have been theaters in both Europe and the States who have wanted to do
Hunchback. But Disney has said no. For whatever reason, with the exception of a small Korean production about 5 years ago, Disney doesn't want to give out the rights.

For the project to go forward, a new stage adaptation of the animated movie would need to be done. The Lapine version was devoid of any charm or wit. Yes, people liked that she died at the end (though it is unclear why) but the 2 hours before that were lacking.

The strong point of the show is the music (and especially the music that was added for the world premier production in Berlin), and as some have pointed out, the darkness of this particular Disney film/musical.

So, it is safe to say, the Lapine script will never be seen again. BUT....BUT, that certainly does not mean that a new treatment could not and will not be better and more satisfying to the people who put up the money. You cannot do Hunchback on the cheap. It would be an expensive production no matter what. At the time it went up in Berlin it was the most expensive musical ever. But, that was 1999, and now it has been eclipsed by many other shows.

Other posters are correct when they say that Hunchback has many other projects ahead of it, before it is given a green light. But, say in 4-7 years, who knows? Maybe it will see the light of day. But, just not the production that ran for 3 years in Berlin.

By the hoo, some worthless trivia: In very early workshops (years ago) 2 actresses did the reading, at different times, for the Laverne/Loni character (that is the female gargoyle): Dorothy Loudon and Denny Dillon (yes, the short stocky woman with moxie).

I do recall hearing at one point that Disney had hired Craig Lucas to re-tool Lapine's book, but after that, nothing else.

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My Son Pinocchio probably takes the cake for the musical renamed the most times during its licensing period. It went from being named "Gepetto" after the TV movie that inspired it, to being "Gepetto and Son," and now it's "My Son Pinocchio."

Hercules has potential but tricky to pull off especially with the monsters. I've alway thought Mulan would make a great stage musical but it doesn't lend itself naturally for a stage adaptation.

Hercules or bust with Kecia Lewis Evans, Rashidra Scott, Patina Miller as three of the five Muses alongside Danny Devito as Phil and Lindsey Mendaz as Meg.

I can dream, can't I?

Updated On: 10/1/12 at 11:14 PM

No. It WOULD be awesome.

HERCULES can be done. I've been developing all kinds of neat ideas I think would work, just for fun of course. But, it can be done.