The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Paper Mill — Page 12

While I saw this production and quite frankly thought it sucked, I also find it hilarious that Scott Schwartz is being roasted on this board because he's not a "real director." OK, sure. Tick Tick Boom wasn't a real show, nor was Golda's Balcony, or Bat Boy, or Jane Eyre, or any of the other dozens of things he's directed. 

8 time Oscar winner Alan Menken and theatre legend Stephen Schwartz couldn't possibly be to blame, right? They didn't actually sit in the rehearsals and, oh I don't know, collaborate on the show with the book writer, right? They couldn't have possibly been complicit in making these choices, right? Because writers of a certain caliber have no power over fake directors like Schwartz, yeah?

Wait. Maybe - just maybe - those guys thought it was good! Just like they probably thought the German version was good. Or is James Lapine a hack, too?

Point blank, this idea sucks. It was a cartoon musical with a cartoon score and comedy gargoyles. That is definitely never going to translate to a stage production that appeals to any adult without being a different show altogether. No kid is going to want to watch a  bleak liturgical drama, either. IMO, everyone would do well to license this version and call it a day.

Updated On: 4/6/15 at 01:51 AM

"Michael Aren tweeted and then deleted the following on Friday: "And then sometimes despite incredibly hard work and dedication, you get nothing in return. Makes you wonder if it's worth it."

Good Lord. I get being disappointed that your show is closing, but jesus. Someone unplug his computer.

Updated On: 4/6/15 at 07:00 AM

While the show might have some flaws, I believe the production that I drove four hours to see (twice, I might add), is one that deserves to be on Broadway at some point in time. I was at the closing show last night, while Alan Menken was there, and he would make no comment on what would be next, I was truly saddened at the final curtain call that the production team didn't come on to the stage and broadcast that the show would be making a transfer. Whether it needs to go to Chicago for more re-working, I wish the best to all members of this production.

The cost of the choir is the thing. It's not that they couldn't find the singers, it's that a choir of X choir members would make the show too expensive to run.

It's immature.  As a professional, shows don't always make it that final step.  The failures of shows (in out of towns or on bway) seldom has much to do with the effort (or lack of it) from the performers.

If the source material and design elements aren't there, it doesn't move on.

I would LOVE to see Arden on a NY stage.  I would have loved to see him in Pippin. Some day.

Pathetic. Lots of shows that fans like don't transfer. 

If this is what Arden considers "getting nothing," well, then, I know many people who could use a lot of nothing. 

One would imagine Arden, who has been around for a long time, would know better than to measure his hard work based on whether a show transfers to Broadway or not. At least he got to play the role in a major production! Poor Lauren Ambrose never even got to play Fanny Brice before her show folded, so you know, it's all relative. I think his is such an immature response and a completely misguided way to approach his career. I also wonder if actors don't realize that casting people, marketing people, producers and even co-stars actually pay attention to someone's social media persona as part of their decision to become involved with a particular actor.

It's possible that something has been going on that we don't know about. Maybe it's not just the fact that she show won't be transferring. Maybe he's felt disrespected by the producers or creative team in other ways, and this was just the tipping point for him. People vent on twitter all the time, and rarely explain themselves fully. 

I'm dissapointed that the show won't be transferring, but this whole petition thing is just so f*cking stupid. Signatures aren't going to give them the necessary funding, time, space, or whatever else. Grow up. 

To After

You make Lord Brantley look like a pushover by comparison.Will this ever make it to Broadway? No idea. If it does, it does and if not that's life. Will NJ be its final destination? Time will tell.

How do fees for a choir in this situation work? are they considered equity? Are they a part of a separate union?

The choir's union