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re: My thoughts on Hunchback

Posted by: AnyaS 04:49 am EST 11/19/14
In reply to: My thoughts on Hunchback - Kaoru 04:10 pm EST 11/17/14

Hunchback of Notre Dame featured my favorite Disney film score of the past 40 years - with the exception of Beauty and the Beast (a stage show I really disliked). The frustration for many when the film was released was that a terrific score was let down by an underwhelming, juvenile screenplay. It would have been heartbreaking to see the movie's score scrapped. Back in the day, it was either Time or Newsweek that called Hunchback a movie worthy a Best Picture nomination if it were judged only by the musical sequences. All the other stuff killed the movie. When I hear comments like "stuck with the songs," I can't believe we're talking about the same score! The initial motivation behind the stage version was to finally find a worthy script for Schwartz and Menken's songs so ditching the score makes no sense.

I agree that Frollo has the meatier role and Quasimodo's storyline needs major beefing up. However, Arden walked away with such strong praise for his performance (slightly better than Page, whom I loved) that I don't have a problem with him getting the final bow. But yes, Quasimodo needs more work.

The movie's G rating was controversial at the time. Angry parents cited its violence and the Hellfire sequence as inappropriate for all audiences. Several of my students had parents who forbid them to see the film at the time.

The show is too long. I'd love to see about 15 minutes trimmed. "Flight Into Egypt" is forgettable and has been panned by many but if it's replaced, I hope it's by something light. The show is awfully heavy and the audience needs a chance to breathe.


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re: My thoughts on Hunchback

Posted by: MikeR 01:03 pm EST 11/19/14
In reply to: re: My thoughts on Hunchback - AnyaS 04:49 am EST 11/19/14

When I saw the movie, my first words upon leaving the theater were "that score is worthy of a Broadway stage." I've been waiting years to see Hunchback on stage (and I'm bummed I can't get down to La Jolla). It's a wonderful score, and I will defend it vigorously to anyone who would suggest otherwise.


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re: My thoughts on Hunchback

Posted by: AnyaS 01:45 am EST 11/20/14
In reply to: re: My thoughts on Hunchback - MikeR 01:03 pm EST 11/19/14

Thank you! I was starting to think I was in the Twilight Zone after reading some comments. When the film was released, the score was highly acclaimed and darn worthy of all the praise. Hearing it again on stage a few weeks ago was a dream come true. Hope you get to see the show eventually!


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re: My thoughts on Hunchback

Posted by: PatrickHSF 10:01 am EST 11/20/14
In reply to: re: My thoughts on Hunchback - AnyaS 01:45 am EST 11/20/14

I love the film score, and most especially the German stage score, which was my driving force to want to see this new version. The inclusion of Sacra Profana as the choir was a brilliant choice. The critical comments made by me and others were primarily focused on the script, not the music, though I don't so much care for a few of the new songs, I.e., the tambourine bit by Esmarelda. The original songs and new ones from Berlin are great on stage.


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