Will we ever see Disney's Hunchback on Broadway?

[EricMontreal22]

Much if not all of the show is on youtube, for anyone who wants to see the staging. It did seem odd to get Lapine to do such a tech heavy show.

[whatever2]

fwiw, i saw "Glockner" in Berlin, and didn't find the projections over-bearing at all. to me they were, to borrow a phrase, tasteful and organic to the plot. and i recall a fair bit of rigging and other scenery elements as well.

agree totally about the costumes.

also (and to the earlier point re: this topic resurfacing periodically) as i've posted before i went up to the pit at intermission, and the musicians' books were all written in english. at least initially, there was an expectation that this show would make its way across the pond.

[EricMontreal22]

The show initially rehearsed, I believe, in New York in Englishg with the actors then learning it in German... And whoever said it was a pet project of Michael Eisner is right--before he left Disney he was actively trying to get it made as a live action TV musical. (I just checked, and the German cast album seems to go for a lot on Amazon now, too bad as I always intended to get a copy to hear it).

[westcoast_wannabe]

Thanks Mistrt Matt for the detailed explanation.

[EponineAmneris]

I hope so... That or ALADDIN and/or ENCHANTED. They are my favorite Disney movies besides BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and MARY POPPINS.

That said... I wish Disney would leave Broadway to Broadway...

[themysteriousgrowl]

This is my favorite animated Disney movie. Yes, please bring it, by all means, with its soul intact. I haven't cared for a Disney-to-Broadway adaptation yet. It would be nice to change that.

[ChiChi]

"I wish Disney would leave Broadway to Broadway"

I am not saying that I like all of Disney's Broadway treatments. But why make a comment like that? What is wrong with them tapping into a medium that will not only sell, but will also thrill.

Not everyone who goes to New York to see a Broadway show is going to see The Anarchist, Memphis or Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson. They are going to see something that appeals to them. The level of interest that they have in theatre overall is going to play a huge part in their decision on what to see. With familiar Disney titles playing, then at the very least they attending a show and supporting the art form and location that we all love.

[EricMontreal22]

My worry is they'd be afraid of some of the darker changes made for the stage version, an revert to the animated one (ie Esmeralda being alive, the more cartoony Gargoyles elements). I love the movie nearly as much as Growler seems to (i wouldn't quite list it as a fave), but it really is Disney at its most schizo--trying to push the boundaries (and often suceeding) while having corporate Disney make sure they still shoe horn in the usual sidekicks, a comic final battle, happy ending etc.

And yeah hat leave Broadway to Broadway comment confuses me (especially since the poster just said that they wanted to see this on Broadway, LOL...) I get the dislike some have for all of these stage adaptations, but I think it's too simplistic to say they should nevr try.

[ChiChi]

Bravo Eric!

[EricMontreal22]

(Besides whichm, I really have no idea what shows would remain if we "left Broadway to Broadway")

[finebydesign]

There is was an NYC workshop, and I've seen some production notes somewhere about the whole production.

Eric, you don't have the recording? :) Pretty easy to help you find that.

[ChiChi]

Not everything thing put up on the stage should be on the stage. I completely agree with that. In my opinion, Little Mermaid was a disappointment as was Tarzan. Again, just my opinion.

But whether you like them or hate them, one has to recognize them for what they do offer. Beauty and the Beast was a beautiful show, and though I've never been a fan of even the movie, The Lion King was a stellar production.

We also have to look at the fact that not all Disney has done has been the result of an adaptation. At least not from an animated film. AIDA was never on the screen and was a very beautiful production.

[Mister Matt]

I hesitate, but it seems that you (matt) think that just because a show may be limited on set design, all that is offered is seen in the first few minutes.

I was speaking specifically with regards to the staging. Blocks go up and down with projections shown on them. There are a couple of other set pieces that come in, but when it came to the core concept of the technological design and the staging, it revealed very little after the first few scenes and nothing that was any more interesting than before. I've seen shows with far little do FAR more (Falsettos immediately springs to mind). It was clear this production was all about the technology, but the creativity was lacking.

to me they were, to borrow a phrase, tasteful and organic to the plot

Se for me, it was completely inorganic. It was like a slideshow on flat surfaces, lacking in depth and texture. Jane Eyre, on the other hand, was a masterpiece in using projections organically to combine concept with narrative. That was truly stunning. Hunchback just looked like an experiment.

I wish Disney would leave Broadway to Broadway

What I like about Broadway is that it is open to any producer who can raise the money to put a production on Broadway. Be it Disney, Dodger Theatricals, the Weisslers, Lincoln Center, Roundabout or Ken Davenport. It shouldn't make any difference. And Disney has proved that they can generate a flop just like any other producer in the business.

[ChiChi]

"I've seen shows with far little do FAR more (Falsettos immediately springs to mind). It was clear this production was all about the technology, but the creativity was lacking."

I see what you mean now. And I can agree with you. I haven't seen the show in question, but I've seen shows that do fit what you have just described.

[westcoast_wannabe]

I've yet to see a show that relied too heavily on projections that really worked well. Usually I feel like they come off as cold and flat. However I've never seen the Sunday In The Park With George revival and the few clips I have seen look like the projections worked beautifully in that show.

[After Eight]

^

That one came out cold and flat as well.

[thevolleyballer]

The answer to this is yes. Alan Menken is very keen to push this as one of his next projects.

[kurt.perry41]

I am so freaking ok with this being his next project!!!!