The story of Quasimodo comes to Seattle
Come one, come all! This veritable musical feast isn't for fools; join the thrilling and touching story of kindly hunchback Quasimodo, adapted from the 1997 Disney movie, which was in term based on the epic novel by Victor Hugo. First premiering at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey in 2015, this musical treat for Disney fans has a lush and memorable score created by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, with a book by Peter Parnell.
What is it about?
Considered to be one of the darker entries into the Disney canon, this adaptation to stage in fact premiered in 1999 in Germany to great acclaim, and running for three years. Opening with the introduction of two orphaned brothers, one called Claude, the other called Jehan, who are taken in by the cathedral of Notre Dame. Whereas Claude turns to his religious studies, Jehan is wild, uncouth and is finally expelled from the church, going missing for three years. However, when he returns to Paris, close to death, Jehan asks his brother, now archdeacon to care for his illegimate son; a deformed boy.
Claude takes the boy under his wing, albeit reluctantly. Calling him Quasimodo (half-formed), he cloisters the lad in the belltower, forbidding him to leave the cathedral, or reveal his existence to the outside world. However the kindly young man is consumed with curiosity, especially when the Feast Of Fools arrives - and with it, a gypsy girl who will change his life forever. However, he finds that he is not the only one in love with the beautiful Esmeralda; Archdeacon Frollo and the captain of the Guard, Phoebus are also determined to claim her.