Listen to Glorious Previews from the Hunchback Cast Album

We're just over a week away from the release of The Hunchback of Notre Dame's Studio Cast Recording and if you've pre-ordered the album digitally then the chances are that you've already heard the fabulous opening 'Bells of Notre Dame', 'Top of the World' and Ciara Renee's beautiful rendition of 'God Help the Outcasts'.  I believe US readers may also have received 'Topsy Turvy, Pt. 1' as well.

Well, now Disney have opened the marketing floodgates and unleashed a wave of previews in anticipation of the albums release!

Buzzfeed has an exclusive first listen to Michael Arden's breath taking performance of 'Out There'

Broadway.com has a special preview of Ciara Renee's 'God Help the Outcasts' for anyone who hasn't already pre-ordered the album or is waiting patiently for the CD to arrive.

Theatre Mania has the exclusive first listen to Patrick Page's show stoppingly villainous 'Hellfire'

Playbill has an exclusive first listen to the Act 1 Finale, 'Esmeralda'.  Out of all the tracks on the Berlin album, this was easily my favourite, I listened to it that much I practically hear it in English these days, and now I can listen to it in English for real!  A truly magnificent performance from the entire cast!

Broadway World has an exclusive first listen to Ciara Renee and Andrew Samonsky's incredible duet, 'Someday'

And finally, this is another one I can't believe they released before the album, EW has the exclusive first listen to Michael Arden's phenomenal 'Made of Stone'

If these don't send shivers down your spine and make you want to buy the album then I don't know what will!  This album is going to be glorious.  Incredible music sung by a superb cast.  Next Friday can't come soon enough!


The Hunchback of Notre Dame Studio Cast Recording is due for release Friday 22nd January and features music by Alan Menken and lyrics Stephen Schwartz.  The book is by Peter Parnell and the album is produced by Michael Kosarin, Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz, Chris Montan and Executive Producer Kurt Deutsh.

The cast stars Michael Arden as Quasimodo, Patrick Page as Dom Claude Frollo, Ciara Renee as Esmeralda, Andrew Samonsky as Captain Phoebus de Martin and Erik Liberman and Clopin Trouillefou.

The Congregation includes Julian Decker, Mary Joe Duggan, Ian Patrick Gibb, Beth Kirkpatrick, Samantha Massell, Neal Mayer, Nora Menken,William Michals, Anise Ritchie, Vincent Rodriguez III, Richard Ruiz, Joseph J. Simeone, Jeremy Stolle and Dashaun Young.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Cast Album Update

We've know this was coming but now the first details have been released regarding the American Premiere Studio Recording of The Hunchback of Notre Dame!

 

"The American Premiere Studio Recording of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the only stage collaboration from two masters of the American musical, Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, will be released on Friday, November 20th.

 

This studio recording, the first ever of the acclaimed American stage score based on the Academy Award-nominated film, will feature a 25 piece orchestra, a choir of 32 and some of Broadway's most formidable talent: Michael Arden (Big River) as Quasimodo, Patrick Page (Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark) as Dom Claude Frollo, Ciara Renee (Pippin) as Esmeralda, Andrew Samonsky (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) as Captain Phoebus de Martin and Erik Liberman (Lovemusik) as Clopin Trouillefou.

 

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a dramatic retelling of the famous love story on a grand scale, with a lush, emotionally rich score.  The musical features a score by Alan Menken (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast) and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin)."

 

I am so happy right now!  I mean it was pretty much a given that the cast would return but it's nice to have it officially confirmed.

 

Disney is still keeping their brand name away from the production (you can see above Disney isn't mentioned at all in the product description and the logo just says "based on" the novel and the Disney film) and the CD is actually coming from Ghostlight/Sh-K-Boom Records instead of Walt Disney Records who usually handle Disney Theatrical's releases.  But that's perhaps the smart play for this piece, which is a lot heavier and features more adult themes than Disney's traditional productions.  Ultimately it's not important, what matters is that this fantastic cast and this incredible music is going to be preserved forever in a cast recording.  I sincerely hope that this CD contains, as much as possible, every single note from this magnificent production.

 

You can get on the wait list for your copy right here!

The Bells of Notre Dame Sing Once More

Michael Arden and the Congregation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Photo by Matthew Murphy

Broadway World exclusively revealed last night that the US Premiere Production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame that played at La Jolla Playhouse and the Paper Mill Playhouse is to receive an official cast recording!!!  There's no more details at the moment but given that several cast members have tweeted about it I think it's (hopefully) safe to say that pretty much all of the original cast will be returning for the recording, including stars Michael Arden (Quasimodo), Ciara Renee (Esmeralda), Patrick Page (Frollo), Andrew Samonsky (Phoebus) and Erik Liberman (Clopin).

I don't think I can put into words how happy I was to read this news on Twitter earlier today.  Sure, I'm a little sad as I think this is, for now, definitive confirmation that Disney Theatrical have no intention at all of bringing Hunchback to Broadway.  But, for Disney to take this decision, to produce a full cast recording without any Broadway show to support it, just shows their faith in this material and, I believe, in the fans who have been so passionate in their support of it.  Quasimodo may not get to Broadway, but his story will be heard.  Now, people all around the world will have the chance to hear this masterpiece of musical theatre.  I, for one, can't wait to hear it again!

And since this is an Aladdin blog I just want to give a quick shout out to Samantha Massell who's gone from making her Disney debut in The Muny's production Aladdin in 2012 to featuring on an original Disney Theatrical Cast Recording in 2015!

Broadway News Round Up 26

James Monroe Iglehart as Genie, Original Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Well here we are, the final news round up before Christmas!

Firstly, sorry for not posting a round up last weekend.  I was working on something Aladdin related though and I hope to be able to share it with you all very soon.  Oh, and make sure you go and vote for James Monroe Iglehart as Broadway.com's Star of the Year!

Now that's out of the way, let's get in the festive mood with some more Christmas carols with an Agrabah twist from the one and only James Monroe Iglehart!  You can see the video's on Aladdin's official Facebook page here and here!  And speaking of festive, James also took part in the 7th annual Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular at 54 Below last Friday.  I wish I could have seen that!

Staying with the festivities for a moment, Theater Pizzazz has a positive review for Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol which featured Don Darryl Rivera as the Ghost of Christmas Past.  Another one I wish I could have seen!  But at least Broadway.com has a few photos.

If you want to help make someone's wish come true this Christmas then take a moment to look at San Mateo High School's Dancers IndieGoGo page where they are trying to raise money to take the students to New York to see 3 shows and learn from Broadway stars (including Aladdin with an after show talkback and a private dance class) and at this GoFundMe page to help Andrew go on his school trip to see the show.

In the last news round up I told you that Adam Jacobs and James Monroe Iglehart were going to be featured on The View, well now that special medley can be viewed online!  Make sure you check it out right here!

And speaking of Adam Jacobs, you can see an exclusive video interview with him at the CYT blog!

Last weekend was a big one for Disney Theatrical with ABC's presentation of Backstage with Disney on Broadway: Celebrating 20 Years.  To get in the mood Disney posted a special performance by VoicePlay on their YouTube channel and on all their musical's Facebook pages;

Awesome performance and I love that they even included some of the cut Arabian Nights lyrics at the end!

There was plenty to love during the special but the highlight for any Aladdin fan had to be a special backstage look at the show stopping Friend Like Me!  Glee's Darren Criss has never made any secret of his love for Disney and during the show he finally got to sing for them (and make his mother proud) as he sang his interpretation of Proud of Your Boy;

Normally I wouldn't post a link to the full show, but this was tweeted by Lebo M so I guess it's ok to share!  So if you couldn't see it the first time or just want to watch it again, enjoy 20 Years of Disney on Broadway!

Broadway World have photos from James Monroe Iglehart's appearance earlier this month at 54 Below's Don't Quit Your Night Job.

On Monday 8th December Aladdin's Brian Gonzales and his wife took part in Dallas' 4th annual Sugar Cookie Gala to raise money for Gideon's Feet, a non-profit organisation that supports artists in need, founded in memory of their first son.  A silent auction at the gala featured paper snowflakes created by Brian's cast mate, Don Darryl Rivera, and signed stars such as James Monroe Iglehart, Idina Menzel and the legendary Disney composer Richard Sherman.

Aladdin's Daisy Hobbs will be making her NYC solo concert debut next month in Here, An Evening of Song on Sunday 11th January at Stage 72 at The Triad (158 West 72nd Street).  Daisy has been with Aladdin since the original Pilot Production in Seattle and her concert will feature everything from Sondheim to pop music and even have some original material as well.  And if that's not enough you even get Aladdin's Jaz Sealey on guitar (you all remember his wonderful backing music to JMI's I Dream of Genie vlog right?).  Tickets are $20 (plus 2 drink minimum) and are available now from Brown Paper Tickets.  You can find out more about Daisy at her website.

This month Aladdin's Broadway home, the New Amsterdam Theatre, played host to the annual Gypsy of the Year event and Broadway World has the photos including James Monroe Iglehart on stage with Seth Rudetsky and a picture of the Aladdin cast's performance.

Ok, it's that time of year when everyone starts to look back at the year that was and Aladdin on Broadway has made a few of the lists!  Aladdin has flown a magic carpet right to the top of Broadway.com's "Best 5 Shows of 2014" (and also makes their "Top 5 Shows Kids Will Go Wild For") whilst The Associated Press has Aladdin in their "Top 10 Theater of 2014" and USA Today calls James Monroe Iglehart "Mr. Genie-ality" in their "The Best of Broadway in 2014"!

As well as looking back, it's also a time to look forward.  Have you made your New Year's Wish yet?

Finally, these last two pieces aren't really about Aladdin or even Disney but it's been announced that Aladdin's Director/Choreographer Casey Nicholaw's newest musical Something Rotten! will be skipping it's 5th Avenue debut and going straight to Broadway and that composer Alan Menken is working on a musical adaptation of 1994 film Corrina, Corrina for the stage.  Congratulations Casey!  And it's always good to hear about a new Menken musical!!

And speaking of new Menken musicals...

Well, I guess this is the final The Hunchback of Notre Dame update I'll be doing until the show begins its run at the Papermill Playhouse in March.  It sounds like it's been a rousing success with both critics and audiences so I can't wait to see it for myself next year!  Until then, here's a final round up of all the news from the La Jolla Playhouse's US Premiere Production.

Up Magazine listed Hunchback as one of the "5 Things We Love This December".

Blouin Artinfo looks at the show in a piece looking at the "freak shows" this season, calling Hunchback "an audience pleaser" that "has the potential to be a hit".

Buzz Feed gives the perfect review to end this run of the show on, saying that "those who attend the Hunchback musical hoping to see the Disney film onstage will be sorely disappointed" but "this is Hunchback as it was meant to be experienced."

And a bit of Aladdin related news, during the show's final week Samantha Massell (who played Jasmine in The Muny's production of Aladdin) went on as Esmeralda and from the fan reactions on Twitter she totally nailed it.  Well done Sam!  And remember, before returning to Notre Dame for the Papermill's run, Samantha will be in A Very Broadway Holiday at 54 Below on 30th December, so get your tickets now!

And that's it for The Hunchback of Notre Dame.  Next stop the Papermill Playhouse!

Merry Christmas everyone, may all your Christmas wishes come true.

Last Chance to See La Jolla's Hunchback of Notre Dame

Just a quick reminder, this weekend is your last chance to see the critically acclaimed US Premiere production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the La Jolla Playhouse.  If you like musical theatre and you are in the San Diego area this weekend then you owe it yourself to see this show!

Tickets (the few that are left anyway) are available from the La Jolla's website.

To all the cast and crew, congratulations on a fantastic run, have an amazing last weekend!  Can't wait to see you all at the Paper Mill next year!

Broadway News Round Up 24

Adam Jacobs as Aladdin, Photo by Cylla Von Tiedemann

Welcome to another weekly news round up for Broadway's Aladdin!

The biggest event this week was the live AMA with Adam Jacobs, James Monroe Iglehart and Jonathan Freeman!  The Q&A with the stars was a lot a fun and revealed several behind the scenes tidbits along with plenty of hilarious stories!  The official Disney Blog has the highlights or you can read the full Q&A over at Reddit.  I'd definitely recommend reading the full thing!

Aladdin's book writer and lyricist Chad Beguelin and Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher made the OUT100 2014 List this week, where the year's most compelling people pay homage to pivotal moments in LGBT history.  The article links 2 moments - the November 25th 1992 premiere of Aladdin in cinemas and the 26th February 2014 debut of Aladdin on Broadway.  The short piece also contains a very thought provoking comment by Chad Beguelin that gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of Proud of Your Boy.  I've read before that Beauty and the Beast's Mob Song is speaking about AIDS (which Howard was tragically dying of when he wrote the song), but I'd never considered the added level to Proud of Your Boy that would come from being gay.  Howard Ashman's talent is nothing short of incredible.  To be able to write songs that not only drive the narrative forward and perfectly fit the characters they are written for but at the same time to reflect his own life, his own feelings and emotions, is simply astounding.

Do you remember Broadway.com's Justin "Squigs" Robertson's portrait done in honour of the show's opening night?  If not here's a quick reminder;

You like it?  Well now you can officially get the T-Shirt!  You can pick yours up either in person at the New Amsterdam Theatre or at Aladdin's online store!

And on the subject of Broadway.com, CONGRATULATIONS to James Monroe Iglehart who came 4th in Broadway.com's "10 Must-See Performances on Broadway Right Now"!

Broadway World is reporting that Aladdin's Yurel Echezeretta took part in the Sueno Pop: Pulso Latino concert last weekend.  The event celebrated Latin pop music and featured a host of stars from both Broadway and TV.

Gavin Doyle of DisneyDose posted a special story on Inside the Magic about a recent trip to Broadway, including his stage door experience at Disney's Aladdin.  As a special bonus the article also includes the Disney Dose podcast where Gavin interviewed by Adam Jacobs and James Monroe Iglehart!  I've posted a link to the interview before (it was originally released back in September) but if you've not heard it then it's well worth checking out!

The Daily Item has posted a heart warming story about a young girl who's dreams came true as the Make A Wish Foundation took her and her mother on a magical holiday to New York City, including a trip to Aladdin with a behind the scenes meeting with the cast.  I just love stories like this and I wish Lily all the best for her hospital evaluation this week.

And finally, Playbill is reporting that Andrew Keenan-Bolger (who played Omar in 5th Avenue's 2011 Pilot Production) is re-teaming with Aladdin Director/Choreographer Casey Nicholaw for the new musical Tuck Everlasting.  The Premiere Production will take place in Atlanta at the Alliance Theatre from January 21st - February 22nd 2015.  Whilst dates have not yet been announced for Broadway it is believed that the production is Broadway bound so watch this space!

I'll come back to the reviews in a second, first take a look at this;

 

It seems stupid to say this as the show has been running for a few weeks but seeing that footage it actually feels real now!  And it looks fabulous!

 

Ok, as you all know The Hunchback of Notre Dame officially opened at San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse on 9th November so all last week the reviews have been pouring in and, overall, they're very positive!  Here's what the critics have been saying;

 

Variety - "Scott Schwartz and the thesps overcome these traps.  Page's gradual descent into unmitigated evil is believable, complex and blessedly underplayed.  Renee's sizzling gypsy - choreographed with lighthearted artistry by Chase Brock - resists cliché through genuine vulnerability and charm.  And Arden is a revelation in the title role.  His delicately communicative physicality ... is wholly of a piece with a remarkably wide emotional range.  The laughs he earns are warm and in context, while his "I want" songs are the clarion calls of a tortured soul, devoid of any "American Idol"-influenced vocal pyrotechnics.  He is splendid."

 

U-T San Diego - "Hunchback is the rare such show that actually earns its grandeur, thanks mostly to the far-from-cartoonish humanity of its central characters."

 

La Jolla Light - "The music, lyrics, performances, direction, set design and costumes assemble into a majestic production of a classic story and bring it to life.  The Playhouse and all its contributors can be proud of their Hunchback of Notre Dame, a stage show that audience members will yearn to see again."

 

San Diego Gay & Lesbian News - "This version is large in concept and execution.  The impressive set is matched by fine actors with excellent voices ... But the heart of the show is Arden's Quasimodo, whose loneliness can be felt in the back row and whose voice on songs like "Out There and "Made of Stone" will break your heart as well ... Broadway is not in the offing yet, but this show has all the essential elements for a successful run there." 

 

LA Weekly - "Visually, the show is stunning ... the cast and the choir sound pristine" however "it doesn't offer anything new to the contemporary theatrical landscape".

 

Showbiz SoCal - "It's arguably one of Disney's most sophisticated adaptations, and one of Alan Menken's more sophisticated scores ... The direction of Scott Schwartz has many layers, and he tells the story with a great balance, always keeping the momentum moving forward so that when the beautiful melodies come in, they land comfortably at the right moments."

 

And it's not just the professionals.  The Playbill Collector posted her review of the show saying "Nothing was lacking from this masterpiece."

 

In fact the only out really negative review is that of the LA Weekly, the rest are (as seen above) largely positive with some constructive criticisms.  But to be honest the LA Weekly review lost me when it criticised the French setting as "reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast".  It just felt like it was reaching too much to find elements "borrowed" from other shows (its central criticism of Hunchback).  All in all, it's a very positive start for this new production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the cast and creative team have plenty to celebrate.  If the response in New Jersey is as positive as this then hopefully we'll see another fast transition to Broadway like we did with Newsies.

 

In other Hunchback news;

 

Hunchback of Notre Dame's Samantha Massell (who also played Princess Jasmine in Aladdin at The Muny) will be taking part in A Very Broadway Holiday! at 54 Below on 30th December.  Ticket details and more information can be found here!

 

SACRA/PROFANA member Rachel Moore shared the details of her first day as part of Notre Dame's choir with  U-T San Diego in the wonderful Diary of a "Hunchback of Notre Dame" Chorus Member.  It's a fascinating insight and well worth a read.

 

That's all for this week!  Have a great week and I'll be back at the weekend with another news round up.

 

Happy Opening to The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Michael Arden as Quasimodo and the cast of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Photo by Kevin Berne

"As I ring these bells tonight, my cold dark tower seems so bright!  I swear it must be Heaven's light!"

 

Tonight is the night!  Fifteen years after Der Glockner Von Notre Dame opened in Berlin, the long awaited US Premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame officially opens tonight at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego.

 

I just want to wish everyone at the La Jolla Playhouse the very best of luck for tonight's official opening.  From the ushers to the stars on stage to the friends and family supporting them in the audience.  This is your night, enjoy it.  I'm wishing you all the best.

First Look at The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Best Disney news of the day (yes, even better than Toy Story 4) - La Jolla Playhouse has released the first production photos of The Hunchback of Notre Dame featuring Michael Arden as Quasimodo, Ciara Renee as Esmeralda, Patrick Page as Frollo and the cast of the US premiere production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Michael Arden as Quasimodo and the cast of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Photo by Kevin Berne

Ciara Renee as Esmeralda and the cast of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Photo by Kevin Berne

Patrick Page as Frollo and the cast of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Photo by Kevin Berne

The US Premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is currently in previews at San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse and will officially open this Sunday, November 9th.  The production runs through December 14th and tickets can be purchased from La Jolla's website.

The Bells of Notre Dame Will Ring Tonight!

 

What a week it's been for the cast and creative team of The Hunchback of Notre Dame!  Sitzprobe on Thursday, invited dress rehearsal last night and the US Premiere tonight as the show officially begins previews at the La Jolla Playhouse!!

This week Michael Arden (Quasimodo) spoke with Gay San Diego about Quasimodo, his path to theatre and about Hunchback in general, calling it "a lot sadder than the original Disney movie and much more of an adult treatment".  He also touches upon Director Scott Schwartz's vision for the piece saying "it's set in 1483, and we're using a lot of techniques that would've been used theatrically in plays of the time ... we use our bodies and furniture to create these worlds".  And I certainly agree with him when he calls Hunchback Alan Menken's greatest score.

The creative team of Alan Menken (composer), Stephen Schwartz (lyricist), Scott Schwartz (director) and Peter Parnell (writer), along with members of the cast, have been doing the rounds with the press this week.  Discussing the show with La Jolla Light and with U-T San Diego.

For all the speculation over the years that Disney considered the Berlin production of Hunchback "too dark" to bring to US audiences, it sounds like this new production could potentially be even darker.  And, if not darker, certainly more complex.  Speaking with U-T San Diego Scott Schwartz says "Something I really believe about this story is, nobody is just one thing ... There are horrific actions in the show, particularly that Frollo takes.  But you see moments of light within him ... there are moments of darkness in all the characters.  Quasimodo, too - there's real violence in Quasimodo."  Speaking with La Jolla Light, Alan Menken agreed, calling the piece "darker and more character-focused than the animated film."

What really excites me is that Scott Schwartz has called Hunchback's incredible score "the central focus and the essential means of the storytelling".  This, combined the show's emphasis on the humanity of the four main characters leads to what Peter Parnell calls "a very nice dynamic ... the largeness and the smallness, that feels like a very interesting place that this musical can live."

I'll admit that after hearing the beautiful Berlin cast recording I was nervous when it was initially announced that this new production would be smaller and more intimate.  I worried that it might not capture the grandness of the score and the beautiful music of the show.  The confirmation that there would be a live choir on stage soon eliminated my fears and with each new article I've been convinced that this is the right direction for the show.  It's new and exciting but at the same time very traditional.  The choir will allow the majesty of the score to soar as it should but the renewed focus on the four principal characters will give the piece a greater intimacy as well.  Personal stories told against an epic backdrop.  Disney may be taking a risk by making the show darker and more intimate but it's one I'm very glad they're taking and one I believe will pay off.

To the cast and creative team and everyone at La Jolla Playhouse, I will you all the very best for tonight's opening.  All your hard work over the last weeks and months (and even years in some cases) has led to this and you deserve every success.  Enjoy it.



The Hunchback of Notre Dame begins tonight at San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego and runs through December 14th 2014.  Tickets are available here.  Tickets to D23's VIP Experience on November 11th 2014 are available here. Next year The Hunchback of Notre Dame will play at the Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey from March 4th through April 5th 2015.  Tickets are available here.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Song List Revealed!

Normally we don't get the song list of a show until after the first preview, but La Jolla Playhouse have posted a Know Before You Go guide to the show giving us a tantalising first glimpse at Disney's next musical masterpiece.  You can download the full PDF (including a fantastic interview with Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz, Peter Parnell and Scott Schwartz) at the link.  Here are the highlights;

The Cast (in order of appearance)

Erik Liberman as Clopin Trouillefou
Patrick Page as Dom Claude Frollo
Lucas Coleman as Jehan Frollo
Samantha Massell as Florika
William Michals as Father Dupin
Michael Arden as Quasimodo
Andrew Samonsky as Captain Phoebus de Martin
Ian Patrick Gibb as Lieutenant Frederic Charlus
Ciara Renee as Esmeralda
Richard Ruiz as King Louis XI
Beth Kirkpatrick as Madam
Neal Mayer as Saint Aphrodisius

The Congregation (ensemble) includes Lucas Coleman, Ian Patrick Gibb, William Thomas Hodgson, Beth Kirkpatrick, Samantha Massell, Neal Mayer, Nora Menken, William Michals, Anise Ritchie, Vincent Rodriguez III, Richard Ruiz and Brian Smolin

Choral Ensemble - Sacra/Profana

Male Swings - Julian Decker & Christian Villanueva
Female Swing - Mary Joe Duggan

The Creative Team

Book by Peter Parnell
Music by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Directed by Scott Schwartz
Choreographed by Chase Brock
Music Supervisor/Arranger - Michael Kosarin
Music Director - Brent-Alan Huffman
Orchestrator - Michael Starobin
Dance Music Arranger - Rob Berman
Scenic Designer - Alexander Dodge
Costume Designer - Alejo Vietti
Lighting Designer - Howell Binkley
Sound Designer - Garth Owen
Hair & Wig Designer - Charles G. LaPointe
Fight Director - Steve Rankin
Vocal Consultant - Ursula Meyer
Casting Director - Tara Rubin Casting
Local Casting Director - Teresa Sapien
Production Stage Manager - M. William Shiner
Assistant Stage Managers - Becky Fleming & Jennifer Kahn
Producing Director - Judith Richardson
Artistic Director - Shirley Fishman
Production Manger - Audrey Hoo

For the La Jolla Playhouse Christopher Ashley is Artistic Director and Michael S. Rosenberg is Managing Director.

Musical Numbers

Act One
The Bells of Notre Dame - Clopin, Frollo, Jehan, Father Dupin, Congregation
Sanctuary - Frollo, Quasimodo
Out There - Quasimodo
Topsy Turvy - Clopin, Congregation
Rest and Recreation - Phoebus, Frollo
Rhythm of the Tambourine - Esmeralda, Frollo, Phoebus, Quasimodo
God Help the Outcasts - Esmeralda, Congregation
Top of the World - Esmeralda, Quasimodo, Congregation
The Tavern Song (Thai Mol Piyas) - Gypsies, Esmeralda, Frollo
Heaven's Light - Quasimodo
Hellfire - Frollo, Congregation
Esmeralda (Act One Finale) - Company

Act Two
Entr'acte - Choir
Flight into Egypt - Saint Aphrodisius, Quasimodo, Congregation
Rest and Recreation (Reprise) - Phoebus, Quasimodo, Congregation
The Court of Miracles - Clopin, Gypsies
In a Place of Miracles - Phoebus, Esmeralda, Quasimodo, Clopin, Gypsies
Someday - Esmeralda, Phoebus
Made of Stone - Quasimodo, Congregation
Finale Ultimo - Company

And since the Know Before You Go guide includes the set rendering by Alexander Dodge I guess it's safe to share the Broadway World photos from the other day (big thanks to Sotiris2006 for actually saving these!)

It looks like an interesting mix of songs from the film, songs from the original Berlin production, all new songs for this production and even a song that was written for the film but cut.  But even if you recognise the names, don't expect to recognise the lyrics as Stephen Schwartz confirms "in addition to the brand new songs, there are a lot of songs in which there are new lyrics, or parts of the song are restructured."

Indeed this looks to be, much like Aladdin, a complete reimagining of the film for stage.  Whilst Aladdin went back to Howard Ashman's original concept, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is going back to the book.  The guide even states that this production is "Based on the Victor Hugo novel with songs from the Disney film".  Like Aladdin lost Abu, Quasimodo has lost his gargoyles (at least in the sense of the individual characters they were in the film), but whilst Aladdin  uses the latest special effects to bring the magic of the movie to life on stage, the story of Quasimodo will be a much more human take.  Director Scott Schwartz says "My guiding principle for the production is: if they couldn't do it in 1482, we shouldn't be doing it now.  In other words, the physical production is based all on period techniques that have been around for hundreds and hundreds of years.  This is not a technological version of the story.  It's a human one."

Everything I hear about this production just makes me more and more excited to see it!  Next March can't come soon enough!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame begins this Sunday, 26th October, at La Jolla Playhouse.  Tickets are available here.

Broadway News Round Up 20

Adam Jacobs as Aladdin, Photo by Deen Van Meer

Starting this week's update with some incredible news.  Aladdin has once again broken the house record at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre taking $1,614,428.00 in the week ending 12th October.  That's the second time this year that the show has set a new house record!!  Congratulations everyone!!

It's the ensembles turn to shine this week as Aladdin's Bobby Pestka recently did a wide ranging interview with The Broadway Blog that's well worth checking out and Yurel Echezeretta will be taking part in the 6th annual Broadway Can! benefit on 16th November.  This annual concert of Seth Bisen-Hersh songs is being held to support City Harvest for New York's hungry.

Broadway World is reporting that Aladdin will be one of the exhibitors at the 6th annual At This Stage Education Expo at the Minskoff Theatre on Monday 27th October.  Further details can be found here.

And finally, this week Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical, sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to discuss everything from The Lion King to Frozen.  In the process he touches on Aladdin and even drops some hints at possible Marvel and Lucasfilm properties that could one day make their way to stage.  If you're a Disney fan or a theatre fan then you owe it to yourself to read this.  It's a fantastic read and offers an incredible insight into Thomas Schumacher and Disney Theatrical.  And on an Aladdin related note - 4 more international productions are in development!!!  I really hope one of them is the rumoured West End production!!

Vacation Alert - Jonathan Freeman will be away from 22nd through 26th October and 8th-9th November.  Merwin Foard will once again be bringing the evil Vizier to life at those performances. 

Vacation Alert - Don Darryl Rivera will be out of the show from 28th-31st October.

Not quite Aladdin related but the Tuacahn Amphitheatre will be presenting 2 Menken musicals and a brand new Disney Revue show as their 2015 Broadway in the Desert season.  Early bird tickets are now on sale for Beauty and the Beast, Sister Act and the all new Disney's When You Wish.  If you've ever seen a show at Tuacahn then you know these will be very special indeed.

Ok, Hunchback time!

It's been a strange week for The Hunchback of Notre Dame news.  The show officially entered tech rehearsals this week and the biggest news came as Broadway World presented a first look at the beautiful set of the show only for the image to disappear almost as soon as it appeared (much like the early character concepts for Aladdin's Seattle run did).  For what it's worth I'll leave the link here in case the image comes back up.  The set looked great.  Very realistic compared to what we're used to from other Disney shows but it really fit Hunchback well.  I wish I had the picture to share with you but I'm sure more official images will be released very soon as the show begins in exactly a week's time!

The Rage has a great article on the show.  It's pages 22-23, and I'm pretty sure this is the first time that the show has officially been called "Broadway-bound" which is incredible news!  It notes that this new production will be very different to Berlin's Der Glockner Von Notre Dame, which was an incredibly large scale production, focusing "much more on the four main characters".  I can't wait to see what they've done with it!

And finally, happy birthday to Esmeralda herself, Ciara Renee!  I hope you have a wonderful day.