The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Paper Mill- Page 4

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 12:06am

Better than calling people stupid. But reading through, I didn't see opinions being called stupid either. (Might have missed a few comments though.)

[Nateben2]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 1:04am

7:00p show gets out around 9:38, starting about 5 minutes late.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 1:07am

It felt longer than it was.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 6:45am

The show does need a stronger directorial hand. As Rippedman said, where's the magic? The vision?

SPOILERS******

During Page's death scene was everyone else immediately reminded of his death scene in Spider-man? The way he was carried upstage center with arms outstretched was so similar I expected to see SPLAT appear on the back wall! Imagine what creativity Taymor would have brought to this project.

[SharoninB]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 7:24am

sorry for asking
but Germany similar or very different

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 7:33am

Sharonin, this US production is very different from the German production. Complete opposites if you ask me.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 8:58am

How many songs are actually added?

[jjohnson5]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 10:03am

MeGustaJake: Don't let the negative comments get in the way of your excitement. Despite my issues with it I overwhelmingly enjoyed it. You said you are a fan of the film and Der Glockner so I'm sure you will find enjoyment in just seeing this piece brought to life in front of you.

In my opinion, there is a beautiful, and very successful, piece in Hunchback somewhere. It's just gong to need a few more tweaks to get there.

[mlsheehan]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 5:37pm

Having read the comments on the Paper Mill production, I'm very surprised at how few changes have been made from La Jolla. It seems like the production team feels they have a winner, and don't want to shake it up.

This is truly saddening as this show could be quite good with some changes (already discussed in this thread), but the producers seem to be happy with the mediocrity that's being shown.

It seems a fresh set of eyes would help (perhaps a new director?) and definitely a new set as well. Sorry to see they are going the Little Mermaid route with this one. Very disappointing.

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 5:44pm

"It seems like the production team feels they have a winner, and don't want to shake it up."

That's Disney for ya.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 7:24pm

Well, looks like the show's doomed. If the BroadwayWorld message board says so, it must be true.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 10:17pm

I just wonder if it goes to Broadway how much Disney will put their name on it. As of right now they're just a producer, but there's nothing on the program or posters that indicates it's Disney.

And as I was leaving the theater so many people were like "Why go to city when we have theater like this here?" "It's better than Broadway" etc. So I'm sure people are liking it. It's just our opinions and again it's not my money involved, so I don't care. I just love this music and story so much, I just wish it had been better material. There's just no sense of character or anything emotional push.

[TheatreKid3]

Posted: 3/8/15 at 11:56pm

"That's Disney for ya."

Okay, hold on. MERMAID has been the only show to receive an out of town tryout that wasn't a hit on Broadway. TARZAN did not have one - but it could have been greatly benefited from it.

Don't let one example of a company having a misfire invalidate their entire credibility. They've had BEAUTY, LION KING, AIDA, POPPINS, NEWSIES, and now ALADDIN succeed on Broadway. They are 6 for 8 in terms of successes, and that's a much better track record than any one producer or other company can say. In fact, it's probably the best.

If anything, you should say they know what they are doing and trust them. Could HUNCHBACK use work? Absolutely. What show can't? But give Disney credit where credit is due - it's one of the most daring pieces of theatre they have ever produced. They are taking risks, and for that I have immense respect for them.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/9/15 at 2:34am

I also wonder though how much they actually have at stake with it? It doesn't seem like the budget is too huge. There was no moving scenery, etc. It seemed fairly low budget. The set was big, but nothing outstanding. I don't really don't think they have too much to fail from this. It's not a kids show/family show, so they haven't put their name on it.

[secondactfromtheleft]

Posted: 3/9/15 at 3:31am

It seems to me that this thread has been dominated by 5 people whose opinions, while valid, only represent a small percentage of public opinion about the show. Saying that a musical is doomed based on just those few feelings really is a disservice to theatre. Because this business is so subjective, we as audience members have to be open minded going into productions. What doesn't work for some may be quite popular with the vast majority. Other than this thread I've heard nothing but praise about the production and I look forward to seeing it after the preview process next week. I think that is also important to say. The show is still being worked on as we speak. To form an opinion about a unfinished product is pointless. Problems may be entirely fixed by the time the show opens. I'll be interested to see the reviews but nevertheless I think this show will have good life in New York no matter what.

[MDM2015]

Posted: 3/9/15 at 9:10am

I got to see the show this weekend. I have a few friends in the cast and crew and got some insight.
When talking about the success of the show, particularly on these boards, I have to put "success" into several categories. How successful was it for me personally, how successful will it be commercially, and how successful the show will be critically. But the first and most important category is my own personal opinion. I paid the money after all.

And, the three word review is "we loved it." Was it perfect? No, but no shows are. Especially at this early development phase. Remember the show still has another week of previews and, I was told, they are doing several changes this week and then it will go into a final revision and previews as it transfers to New York.

The show has really stuck with me in a way many recent theatrical events have not. I think, most striking was Michael Arden's performance. It was respectful and nuanced and I loved how he moved from his outward crippled self to his inward voice and able to sing his deepest thoughts clearly. And while every effort has been made to remind you that this is not the film, there is a homage being paid to what worked so well in the film. This is a very tricky line and I think he navigates it well. The theatricality of seeing him robe and disrobe into character was reminiscent of Man of La Mancha. And I think they can even go further in that direction. Possibly, Making the whole story be a retelling by the gypsies.

And that leads to my biggest criticism. I think there was a dis-connect between the theatricality of the storytelling and the reality of the set design. It was not a dealbreaker but distracting. But, I think it too late to make that kind of set design change.

Everyone I talk to had no information about future productions. Though, I think we can assume it will come to New York. But they did talk about Disney being reticent to put their name on it. And I think that comes not from a lack of financial investment but rather what branding this property is "Disney " does for the expectation of the ticket buyer. Years ago Disney used the touchstone brand to put out movies it wanted different audiences to see. Perhaps it is time for "Touchstone Theatrical Productions".

And that leads me to commercial success. I think that will entirely depend on marketing. If an audience comes in feeling they're going to get the The Lion King, Aladdin, or Mary Poppins too many will walk away disappointed. I'm talking about tourists and grandma and grandpa, not the "theater crowd." I have no idea how they do that.

On a sidenote, I was very disappointed that none of the choral ensemble was listed by name. I know they used two or three groups at any given performance. And they hire a choir as a groupnot as an individual. But I still feel their name should be listed.

There you go... My two cents.

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 3/9/15 at 9:31am

"But they loved us in Boston."

"It's Boston..."


It's not really at an early development phase anymore. The show ran for months at La Jolla and apparently nothing has really changed between that show and this. I think this is pretty much what were getting.

Updated On: 3/9/15 at 09:31 AM

[dfrillsnedit]

Posted: 3/9/15 at 12:46pm

MDM, couldn't agree with you more. And your idea of the Gypsy's telling the story would be a great direction to take and add a new layer to an otherwise wonderful production, imo.

[Amusingmusic]

Posted: 3/9/15 at 4:35pm

Wow-I am really surprised by all the criticism of this show. I saw it last weekend with a group of friends and we all LOVED it!! We are not sophisticated NY theater people but we see a lot of theater and one friend commented that they have never, ever been at a show before where people loved it so much that they started clapping before the show was even over. The cast got a huge standing ovation and a lot of the people I saw leaving were really moved. Are there parts that aren't my favorite? yes, but there are in every show. The set is amazing, the music absolutely gorgeous and there's not a weak performer on the stage. That's better than a lot of the shows I go to. So....don't let all the negativity on this board affect your decision about whether to see the show. GO and judge for yourself...I think most people will really, really like it!

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 3/9/15 at 10:47pm

And your idea of the Gypsy's telling the story would be a great direction to take and add a new layer to an otherwise wonderful production, imo.

You mean like how Clopin told it, in the original film and in the German version?

(I'm sorry, it's just too easy. Every single one of the problems people had with this version was addressed or handled better in the German version.)

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/10/15 at 2:11am

Exactly, GDELGI and that was my idea as well. Have it set in the Festival of Fools - or whatever it's called - and present it that way. It will frame the show and at least let them open it up a bit more. But again, that's a big overhaul. And obviously they like what they have going, so nothing will be changed.

It was just a frustrating show to sit through. After Arden ended another song swinging on a rope downstage into a spotlight and a button, i was about to throw my program. You can't end 3 different songs the exact same way. It's not exciting.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 5:00pm

These new photos are GORGEOUS. I have goosebumps everywhere. I especially love he new irection of God Help the Outcasts
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-Michael-Arden-Patrick-Page-Ciara-Renee-More-in-THE-HUNCHBACK-OF-NOTRE-DAME-at-Paper-Mill-Playhouse-20150311

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 5:09pm

I hate that Quasimoto isn't ugly. That kills the whole story and the point of it for me.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 5:59pm

^I have mixed feelings about it. One part of me agrees completely with you, but the other thinks it's a good idea because you're supposed to use your imagination.

[jjohnson5]

Posted: 3/11/15 at 6:41pm

On the subject of the lack of deformity: to be honest, in person, it didn't bother me in the slightest because of the body language and voice affliction. I had decent orchestra seats so I can imagine from further away (if/when it transfers) it wouldn't be an issue.