The Hunchback of Notre Dame was turned into a musical a couple years back when it premiered at La Jolla Playhouse 2014. But the approach to the material that Peter Parnell had when creating the book was a little different. This show is unlike any of the other Disney musicals that have come before or since. The book took more influence from the original novel by Victor Hugo, which meant that the show did have some darker content then the Disney Movie. To understand how brilliant this production was without ranting entirely will be difficult but I can start with a few reasons.
THE MESSAGE THAT THEY CONVEYED
I really appreciate how powerful this musical is, and most of it stems from the question that they ask in the beginning.
"What makes a monster and what makes a man?"
This simple question asked the audience to think and is reprised at the end so everyone can process what it really means. At face value the discussion is usually well clearly Frollo was the monster and Quasimodo was the man as it's not about looks. But there is so much more than just that. It comes down to the decisions of the characters. Though Quasimodo had a monstrous appearance his values and decisions were noble and admirable, while Frollo's decision to kill Gypsies wasn't looked highly upon (not to mention all the creepy pining over Esmeralda).
However some of the decisions that Quasimodo made in act two can be deemed monstrous. In order to save Esmeralda he poured molten lead down onto the streets since he thought that the people raiding the church were going to cause harm, when in reality with was people coming to help. Now thats pretty dark for a Disney show. Which leads us into the next point.
NOT SUGARCOATING THINGS
Well this is true to some degree. Although the movie had a happy ending the novel was the complete opposite, ince most of the influence was taken from it they decided that the show would have the same ending. The show ended with Esmeralda dying, Phebous returning to war since he has nothing else to live for and Quasimodo staying with Esmeralda's body until he died. So their skeleton's were found together, definitely not the same as everyone living happily ever after. I think another dark moment which the production changed from the film was Frollo's death. In the film after trying to kill Quasimodo, he plummets to his death from the top of Notre Dame as a gargoyle crumbles from underneath him. But in this production Quasimodo is filled with rage at his master so he picks him up and thrown him off instead.
THE OPPORTUNITIES THE SHOW HAS PROVIDED
This show provided some brilliant opportunities for people with disabilities, in a later production at The 5th Avenue Theatre deaf actor Joshua Castille starred as Quasimodo, which was accurate to the character as in Victor Hugo's book he was also deaf.This production allows for diversity and thats something we need to see more of onstage.
Even more than that with the introduction & conclusion itself symbolically shows that there are plenty of people with differences and that Quasimodo isn't alone. There's a sense of unity and this beautiful representation of difference. an awareness of those with disabilities and that there is support.
Again linking it back to the message that is mentioned, it's not about appearance.
This production is beautiful not to mention how spectacular the set design was but really the story itself holds a lot of heart. We're given these happy go lucky songs that make us forget everything then we're confronted by the powerful dark songs ('Hellfire', 'Made of Stone' etc.) that remind us that this story isn't a happy one. This show needs to be talked about. I'm more than disappointed that it never had a broadway run but that doesn't mean that it never will. I'm just waiting for the day that this dark Disney musical gets the attention and praise it deserves.
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