La Jolla Hunchback Poster
I have been looking for pictures or videos of the new Hunchback musicals since it began and I have found next to zip till now. While searching for the sets of show I found http://enseeseven.tumblr.com and when I looked back there a few days later I found this http://lajollahunchback.tumblr.com which has some of the recordings of the song from the show. So very briefly I will just go through the recording and give my thoughts.
Rhythm of the Tambourine – I have to assume this is Esmeralda’s introductory song and it’s a new song. I gotta say though, it’s not doing much for me and I’m a little bummed that it not an Esmeralda only song that was a big issue for me with Glockner.
Made of Stone – I have to admit Michael Arden sounds a bit like Colm Wickinson here. I also wish he was angrier sounder, he sounds more sad but it’s a fine version of the song. I’m curious about the Ensemble/Gargoyles roles.
Finale Ultimo, Part 1 – They kept the stabbing angle? Neat! I don’t really like the pep talk with Quasimodo and the ensemble, seems un-necessary with the Made of Stone song. Overall it’s good.
The Tavern Song (Thai Mol Piyas) – Another new song! It’s fun. I’m not sure where this song goes in the play but I like it.
Apparently Thai Mol Piyas might mean “And wine we drink” in Romani.
Sanctuary (Reprise) – OMG, the red door scene! At first I thought it was the jail scene but it’s clearly not. This could have been in the original Glockner because it was in the King’s Academy version although less adult. I’m glad to hear some lines from the book though.
God Help the Outcasts – They play this very straight to the original Disney movie which is fine by me because I hated Quasimodo part of the song as it took Esmeralda’s only solo away. At first I though Ciara Renee was going to be belt-y with this song but she isn’t, it’s nicely done.
The Bells of Notre Dame – This is very different. The example Frollo backstory prior to Quasimodo. Frollo has Jehan back in the version. Frollo and Jehan lived at Notre Dame. Jehan gets Frollo a Gyspy prostitutes for his birthday but they get caught Jehan get kicked out. Frollo then rises to the ranked of Archdeacon. Frollo finds Jehan who dying and his Gyspy wife has died. Jehan asks Frollo to take his baby, i.e Quasi. He doesn’t want to but then does.
I’m not sure how to feel about this version of the song. It’s a good mitigation between the novel and Disney version but it lacks the drama and intensity that the Disney version had. However it could be way better on stage. They also mispronounce Jehan.
Hellfire – Much like God Help the Outcast, they play this one straight to the Disney version.
The got rid of A Guy like you, City under Siege, Out of Love, Dance of the Gypsies, Balancing Act.
What do you think of these songs?
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The Sanctuary reprise is indeed in the original Der Glockner stage version and the scene was kept mostly the same in the King’s Academy version. In both Der Glockner and the King’s Academy versions, it is more similar to the dungeon scene from the novel where Frollo confesses his passion but, in addition, there is a Scarpia ultimatum touch as Frollo gives Esmeralda the option of saving Phoebus if she chooses Frollo instead of death. I don’t know that much about the La Jolla production other than the plot details posted by fans and reviewers and I have not listened to any of the songs from this version but from what I have read, it seems that the Sanctuary reprise scene is now merged with the Porte Rouge scene from the novel (similar to “One Bright Morning You Danced” from Notre Dame de Paris) because, apparently, this time Disney’s Frollo does attempt to rape Esmeralda in prison.
Thank you for sharing!
Excuse me while I do a fangirl squeal!!!
Fingers crossed for a cast recording.