Making Of The Hunchback of Notre Dame Studio Cast Recording

Behind the scenes at the recording session for the Studio Cast Recording of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the only stage collaboration from two masters of the American musical Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. The album is out now on Ghostlight Records.
Order on iTunes: apple.co/1VdPL5R
Order on CD: www.sh-k-boom.com/hunchback-of...
This studio recording, the first ever of the acclaimed American stage score based on the Academy Award-nominated film, will feature a 25 piece orchestra, a choir of 32 and some of Broadway’s most formidable talent: Michael Arden (Big River) as Quasimodo, Patrick Page (Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark) as Dom Claude Frollo, Ciara Renée (Pippin) as Esmeralda, Andrew Samonsky (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) as Captain Phoebus de Martin and Erik Liberman (Lovemusik) as Clopin Trouillefou.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a dramatic retelling of the famous love story on a grand scale, with a lush, emotionally rich score. The musical features a score by Alan Menken (Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast) and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin).

[@kcorona7715]

this entire cast has such astounding vocals... but dear jesus michael arden just makes me sob with joy. his belt is so perfectlly placed and supported.

[@cherrydarling7937]

This cast for the live action movie, am I right?

[@verycoolman8190]

Michael Oberton I think it was just a joke buddy

[@verycoolman8190]

Michael Oberton ur all good

[@kimc207]

@Michael Oberton I think Cherry meant that this would be a great cast for a live-action version.

[@susie_b]

Could not agree more with thus comment. I just discovered his voice and I’m soooo inspired and mesmerized and moved! 🥺🤩 I love Ciara’s as well and the guy who plays Frollo and many others 🤩

[@lisahill1576]

I often wonder what Hugo would think, having two of his novels turned into such worthy musicals

[@MrSoBitchy]

Having studied him I reckon he'd be pleased with it if it'd reached the poor

[@Sharpe1502]

MrSoBitchy He’d approve of the bootlegs then? 🤣

[@AliciaNyblade]

@@MrSoBitchy "My work can reach the masses as singing theater? That's wonderful!" "Tickets are hundreds of dollars, monsieur." "WHAT?! Name me the scoundrel who came up with that!" In all seriousness, yeah, I've always found it hypocritical that these stories which champion the poor/outcasts of society can only be enjoyed as theater by the rich (or us commoners who save up enough to treat ourselves to a nice night out). It's putting Hugo's themes and messages at a quaint distance for the well-to-do audience members: They can enjoy the show knowing it's just a living story for two hours and then go home feeling like their having been moved by it means they contributed to bettering society. I'm working on a play adaptation of Hugo's "The Man Who Laughs" and, when it's finally up on its feet in a full production (it's had several staged readings), I want it to be as accessible as possible. The modern people who these stories are still about should be able to see and participate in them. Until then, nothing will really change because, as Hugo says in the book, as I'm sure you know, "The paradise of the rich is made from the hell of the poor."

[@TheKnowledgeMan101]

@@AliciaNyblade Yeah, but I think the only reason why I think he may dislike the stage productions is because they're written in English, Hugo said that he would never speak English until England learned how to speak French, when they do, then he'll speak English

[@AliciaNyblade]

@@TheKnowledgeMan101 Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the musical of "Les Miserables" originally a French production? It wasn't until Cameron Mackintosh got his hands on it and produced an English translation that it became the giant theater icon it is today. But yes, I've heard that quote from Hugo as well. He was famous for his dislike of anything English--hell, that's what "The Man Who Laughs" was about, his beef with the current English government, which he expressed as criticism of the former English governments of James II-Queen Anne.

[@sandylynngooen5958]

This version of the show is so much more fleshed out and real. To all those who are movie purists I have two words to just begin to explain as to why this version is so good: Michael Arden. We're done here.

[@alexistalbot2621]

two more words: Ciara Renee.

[@MrCheekyMonkey321]

Let's add another two words: Patrick Page.

[@lostgirlclub]

Sandy Lynn Gooen haha damn right

[@AliciaNyblade]

Three more words: Read the book. Seriously, I love the Disney film, but people who are purists about it need to read the book, with lots of tissues at the ready. For me, this musical version is the perfect blend of the Disney film and Hugo's novel.

[@marnistone6153]

I fell completely in love with Michael Arden and Ciara Renee as Quasimodo and Esmeralda. They're wonderful!

[@leilanihanaike]

I just got to meet Ciara this weekend at a convention and I was more excited to meet her for this and Pippin than Legends. She was very happy that I brought Hunchback for her to sign instead of a headshot as Kendra. :)

[@heatherwilmothmissoperagho5830]

Lanibear luck you

[@WeTheCorner]

Patrick Page's speaking voice 😍

[@thesharpestofthorns___9132]

Emily Chilton (Yes. I get shivers hearing him from time to time.)

[@dankhnw8]

The recording room seems so....small...for the power of their voices.....

[@adamlambboy8332]

The woman singing at 5:32 has the voice of an angel.

[@lilli7459]

MICHAEL ARDEN DESERVES MORE CREDIT

[@annathenerd5345]

1:20 i quite literally forgot to breathe. brought tears to my eyes with how beautiful it sounded when it all came together. this timestamp is mainly for me for when i come back to this

[@mileslawlor6189]

The fact that they finally brought this show and message and music to its fullest potential and made this recording makes this a highlight of 2016 for me. I have listened to this at least once a day and it is truly a masterpiece. "Hunchback" has been my favorite Disney movie for years now and it's because of the complexity and depth that it has. It is unlike any other movie. The cast and their vocal talents, as well as acting, and the score give me chills constantly. I'm so blessed to be able to listen to and own this impactful and important album.

[@victoria-sillo]

This has become one of my favorite musicals of all time in the past month. The score is gorgeous and so powerful, and you can hear the emotion and passion behind the sound of every member of the cast. I love that the creators went back to the story's origins and based it more off the book. There were some things that they just couldn't put into the Disney movie or had to tone down because of its audience and because of time restraints. The brains behind the musical made the characters much more dynamic and gave them more of a backstory and motivation for their actions, which makes the story so much more powerful. For example, Frollo's hatred for gypsies and his desire to hunt down Esmeralda has a concrete reason here; he feels attracted to her, but as a priest he knows this desire is sinful. His rationale is that if he, as the holiest person in the town, can fall for her "sinful ways," then the rest of the citizens are in danger of falling for it as well. He isn't "pure evil" or a villain just for the sake of having a villain; he is human like everyone else, and he genuinely believes he is doing the right thing, which can be said for each character in the show. Each person has motivations that, for them, are rational and justified. It's part of what makes this show so powerful, heartfelt, and amazing. The whole theme of "what makes a monster and what makes a man" really drives this story and makes the audience really think. Even by the end you don't truly have an answer because every character did things that weren't necessarily good or "righteous" (for example, Quasimodo throwing Frollo to his death out of revenge or Frollo trying to kill all the gypsies), but they also acted upon what they truly thought was right. The summer theatre program (Upper Darby Summer Stage) that I am in is doing Hunchback this summer (2017) and I am so excited potentially be a part of it and to see it live, because it is truly a beautiful and amazing show.

[@czarenallyzamonisit4642]

Yep! It really has a good moral (I will forever hold it like a trinquet in my palm...or something...)

[@leahrichards3432]

I think Ciara Renée was God's gift from heaven. Her voice is just BREATHTAKING.

[@katiebennett252]

Everyone needs to stop saying that "oh but it's not disney anymore" because it wasn't disney to begin with. Disney made a popular version of it- made specifically to be family friendly. The musical actually does the true story justice.

[@PhantomifyEponine]

the score is absolutely breathtaking!!

[@fanatic1992]

PhantomifyEponine it is ...

[@bethany5527]

As a huge musical theatre nerd, I have to say this is my favorite musical ever. Every time I listen to the music, I fall in love with it all over again (not to mention, I cry, nay, I WEEP). This musical and this story is amazing and it will never stop being my favorite ❤❤

[@ruby7226]

this is obviously the best score EVER because it’s literally alan menken AND stephen schwartz like what (2:32)

[@wlwchoirs]

Thoughts on WHY IN THE WORLD is this not moving on to Broadway??

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

I saw this show and while everyone assumed it would because it's Disney, I can see why it didn't. Everything that we loved about the movie is gone, what made the movie so great and so moving and chill inducing is gone. Clopin as the Everyman narrator-ish type character is nixed, replaced by Chorus narration which practically NEVER works in musicals, only in the Ancient Greek plays does this work. The whole theme of "who's the monster and whos the man" and injustice against certain groups of people and religious righteousness/bigotry is gone because Frollo is now back to a priest (like the book) rather then the minister of justice 'judge' he was in the film which is what made him such a great villain to begin with. They were so concentrated on staying away from the film just for the sake of staying away from it, rather than realizing that the film is AMAZEBALLS as it is, with a perfect theme and epically grandiose/grandly theatrical music to match.

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

There was hardly anything that needed to change because they film already is a magnificent working clock with working cogs. It had an identity crisis, They basically tried to fix what wasn't broken and that's what possibly killed any Broadway run it could have had. Instead of expounding on what was already working BEAUTIFULLY and putting it on stage ( like B and the B and LK) they changed things for the sake of change, just to stay away from the film...NEVER a good idea. This is Menken's best score and some of Schwartz's best lyrics which deserves so much better than the 'show and tell type, high budget children's theatre" show we ended up getting....it kills my heart that the ONE Disney movie that screamed the loudest to be staged and took the longest to get there, ended up being one of the biggest disappointments :(

[@Dre2387]

+Jennifer Hiemstra But the thing is: it's not Disney anymore. Yes it has Disney songs, but I don't think they would have branded it as a Disney musical. And they did have to make changes. There were not enough songs. The same thing happened with Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King: they added more songs. The songs they added here only add to what was already incredible. What's funny is the disney movie of Hunchback was not a favorite of mine at all. It was good but I didn't appreciate it. It is only now that I can really appreciate it and be amazed with what the creators were able to do with it on stage.

[@jenniferhiemstra5228]

Dre2387 I'll say it again, I totally get when a movie is adapted to stage, yes changes need to happen. As an actor myself, I understand this even more. But the changes that WERE made to this weren't ACTUALLY needed. The changes made to B and B and LK (which to me are still the best Disney stage musicals) were needed, but what they also did was just expound on what their respective films already did almost perfectly. They didn't change things just to change it and 'stay away from the movie". And those shows still flow magnificently. Hunchback as a stage show now is jarring and odd with a structure that isn't working. The movie knew exactly what it was and what it wanted to be and the story it wanted to tell. The stage show does not, it has an identity crisis, which is something I came to quickly after seeing it myself, and then decided to read reviews to see what critics said. Almost every critic who saw it at either La Jolla or Papermill said the.same.thing. I thought for a while I was going crazy, but when almost every critic says the same thing, I honestly believe one might want to consider what they're saying. Also as an actor, I know critics also have an opinion just like everyone else. If only ONE critic has a particular issue, but no one else is mentioning that same issue or doesn't seem to care, ok, fine it's one critic, move on. But again, practically EVERY critic said that this show's structure wasn't quite sound and that it has an identity crisis. That's when the team behind the show may want to rethink what they did and how they can improve on it later, but since the show's future will now only remain in the regional theatre market for now and then trickle down to schools and community theaters down the road, it's creative process is done. Which is sad because, this epic, grandiose story and Menkens amazeballs music deserved so much more than the end result.

[@Dre2387]

+Jennifer Hiemstra I do believe what you're saying is true. I didn't like how they portrayed Phoebus. And Esmerelda wasn't quite 3-dimensional for me. But what made it so much more powerful to me than the film was Frollo's backstory. The reason behind why he both loved and hated Esmeralda, more so that she was *just* a gypsy. It was because of what she represented. The movie never had that and it was lacking. My friend and I talked about the musical and he said he didn't like the ensemble narration too which I can understand. Maybe the creators are too stubborn and too close to the show that they don't want to change anything so it can move to Broadway. Sad really because the music is incredible.

[@MrSoBitchy]

0:45 the choir always gives me chills in this part

[@daniescobarm]

Samantha Massell slays that last song ngl

[@kkmmrew]

thank you! i watched that bit like 5 times trying to figure out if that was her or not. glad to know i'm not crazy

[@benmaier]

RIP Notre Dame. Long live the bells

[@t.r.s.5129]

I don't understand how Ciera could sing "Someday" at all. Just hearing the intro makes me burst into tears. It's such a beautiful song, so true and real today, that I can't help but get emotional.

[@zbotello1439]

I will never get over the fact that this show hasn’t been on broadway

[@mg3929]

I had the distinct honour of playing Clopin earlier this year, and it has without a doubt been the best show I have ever done, the best role I've ever played, and the best cast I've ever worked with. If I could go back and just do one more performance I would be so happy. It's an incredibly tough sing, but my word, the feeling in the room when you hear all those sounds coming together at once is indescribable.

[@amydo9576]

i've watched this at least once a day for like a week rip

[@dianarose9166]

Amy Do glad I'm not the only one😭

[@FransHattingh]

I cannot accurately convey how much I adore the score and new songs from this musical. Far too many times, when new songs are added to an already existing set of songs in a stage adaptation, they feel inauthentic and fall flat for me. This musical is a beautiful exception. The fact that Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz came together again to flesh out the musical heart of the story makes me so happy. "Flight into Egypt", "Esmeralda" and "Made of Stone" are simply incredible. And I'm not ashamed to say that "Someday" brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. I wish that this show had gone on to Broadway.

[@itsyaboilogan642]

Nominations at Tony’s: Best Musical Best Leading Actor - Michael Arden Best Leading Actress - Ciara Renee Best Supporting Actor - Patrick Page Best Supporting Actor - Andrew Samonsky Best Supporting Actor - Erik Lieberman Best Score - Alan Menken Best Book of a Musical Best Scenic Design Best Lighting Design Best Costume Design Best Sound Design Best Choreography Best Direction of a Musical Best Orchestrations Wins at Tony’s: Best Musical Best Leading Actor - Michael Arden Best Leading Actress - Ciara Renee Best Supporting Actor - Patrick Page Best Score - Alan Menken Best Book of a Musical Best Scenic Design Best Lighting Design Best Costume Design Best Sound Design Best Choreography Best Direction of a Musical Best Orchestrations

[@trueblue6201]

What was the reality?

[@zipzapzop6519]

@@trueblue6201 never went to Broadway?

[@heyyitsmel]

the amount of money i would pay to play in this orchestra is ungodly

[@asianpotatoesbeangry571]

the belting! *slams table* the belting!! its amazing

[@michellemagallon5172]

The score is just.... breathtaking...

[@Pajermancito]

THIS IS THE MOST UNDERATED MUSICAL OF THE HISTORY

[@heatherwilmothmissoperagho5830]

This should be on Broadway

[@tbexter]

*IS TRYING NOT TO CRY BECAUSE ROOMMATE IN THE THE ROOM* *FAILING MISERABLY*

[@whittosjuju]

I saw a live performance of this put on by one of my state's play houses, and my goodness, I sobbed. That ending hit me right through the heart and the tears flowed.

[@xBeyondMystery]

Wow they all have amazing voices, Michael Arden and Ciara Renee singing Someday, song I loved since little, is really touching

[@cecefernandes5657]

Patrick Page, Micheal Arden and Ciara Renée have my whole heart❤

[@sunshinerayne4844]

Their gonna have a hell of a time matching the cast for this live action set to take place next year. I'm still in love with how well matched this was and how dark they were willing to tell how Claude actually was in the book; to have it brought to cartoon was even greater because of how dark the character was originally supposed to be is a fantastic vision of the film villain

[@brokegirlsjackman]

Who else thinks Andrew samonsky and Michael arden should have a song together in the show their voices are really good

[@justess797]

2 broke girls200 jackman In the song "In a Place of Miracle" they kinda sing together

[@pandabearinconcert]

does anyone get 'no good deed' vibes from 'made of stone' :p ^^

[@victoria-sillo]

Definitely. I think the two songs seem so similar because they share a common theme. Both are sung by the main protagonist who is expressing the idea that no matter how hard they try to do the right thing, their actions only ever seem to make the situation worse. Both Elphaba and Quasimodo feel angry and powerless at this point in their respective shows, even though both have great power. Elphaba is the most powerful sorceress in the land, Quasimodo has his great strength, and both have an immense capability to love, though they both believe themselves to be unlovable monsters for a long time. It also helps that Stephen Schwartz helped write the music for Hunchback. I can definitely hear certain lines in the music that sound very similar to parts of Wicked, and I especially hear the parallels between "No Good Deed" and "Made of Stone."

[@victoria-sillo]

Especially at the very end of "Made of Stone" as Quasimodo holds out his last note - it sounds very similar there to parts of "No Good Deed"

[@MrCheekyMonkey321]

Well, they both share a lyricist, so that helps, too.

[@somethingnexttonormal]

The orchestrations at the very end while the singer holds out a note are extremely similar

[@blackhagalaz]

Bought the album because of this video... and it is worth every penny! During some songs I cried like a baby. Such beautiful music and voices! Great job!

[@GhostlightRecords]

Thanks so much! So glad you're enjoying it.

[@followerofChrist26]

This is fantastic! A dream come true. This is my all-time favorite Disney film and they did it justice as a Broadway musical! What a emotional reward. Can't wait to see it this summer at Tuacahn Theater in Utah.

[@michaelbeaudoin1518]

I just saw this show at Tuacahn this past week and fell in love with it! They did such a fantastic job. What did you think of it?

[@followerofChrist26]

I was very moved and impressed. I'm so glad you saw it too! So glad this musical is coming out of the shadows. It's my obsession!

[@michaelbeaudoin1518]

Oh same here! I've been listening to the soundtrack non-stop since it came out last January! Lol

[@followerofChrist26]

you are welcome to like my Facebook page if you want! Facebook.com/hunchbackthemusical

[@kkmmrew]

the best version of hunchback out there! probably my favorite work of alan menkens. the score is so breathtaking and ciara renee did such an amazing job at bringing life and realism into the role of esmerelda

[@ArchiduquesaMA]

this is THE BEST disney score of all time. The best message, the best feeling, the most different and original. Masterpiece

[@laceyhoeferlin]

I still come back to this video at least once or twice a year and am still crushed I never got to see this show in person

[@Melissa-tw2gp]

Well I would certainly pay money to hear this performed for me in a theatre. Even if they just wanted to pay for a performance tour and not the entire play. Gorgeous.

[@waltmanasse-latham1585]

I did NOT expect that incredible singing to come out of Kendra Saunders 😂

[@newzealand56]

daaamn, Kendra from Legends of Tomorrow can sing? wow!

[@ElfinWitch713]

so can't Grant Gustin (flash) and colton haynes from arrow

[@KarmaSavon]

and Melissa Benoist and Jeremy jordan from Supergirl

[@Eohll]

newzealand56, which makes me question why she take the role as Hawkgirl or any actors before acting these superheroes in The CW DC series.

[@mj.francisco815]

Same thoughts here. I didn't know about her that much before that's why I was shocked. Only few of them that I know who can sing in Arrowverse.

[@Chlo-ee]

So much talent packed into one room. Just from this, I’m beginning to understand the fascination with musicals.

[@kylec254]

Just based off this video, I bought the soundtrack. I am so ready to listen to it on my drive home.

[@mspvideos4755]

incredible music. Definitely the best Score.

[@ShisaCT]

1:27 how-

[@cherrydarling7937]

This cast for the live action film. Am I right homies?

[@jerryedmonson5041]

I can’t believe this film was not a smash hit! This score is absolutely brilliant and brilliantly performed. It never gets old for me. It still stirs all kind of emotions, which the best music and lyrics always do. It’s a masterpiece!

[@Kiabellexox]

I'm crying this is so wonderful!

[@JunKyoung]

Freaking amazing.

[@savruiz5089]

I got chills just watching this 😭

[@Grawiiz]

Beautiful, absolutly beautiful

[@katrinabohol3246]

Olim will always be #1 for me i love the vocals so much shsbsianw

[@ashleyshore8405]

damn..just blown away, no words

[@candacegrant5]

Freaking YES like just yes. The vocals are extremely beautiful.

[@trisf1589]

amazing, never too old to dream

[@miztlitlatoca]

THAT'S AMAZING Really I love that musical, songs and people who make it

[@annlebelt2676]

Alan’s music is always wonderful

[@user-wp7sr6iq6r]

They are all wonderful... I cannot help crying...

[@adrianacedillo4948]

Oh wow! I got goosebumps just by hearing those songs, the music is phenomenal it definitely evolve. I hope someday I could see it live. And maybe it could turn into live action movie with all those wonderful music.

[@keywordbasia]

I literally just threw my headphones! This is AHMAZING!

[@zephyrmartin8824]

I just got the rest of the soundtrack on iTunes and I love it. I have had In A Place Of Miracles in my iTunes for a bit and I finally decided to complete my album.

[@LAR92111]

I saw this at Great Lakes in Cleveland and my gosh what a privilege!! I’m saddened that it didn’t make it to Broadway because for me this was better than the animated movie because it was much more alive and real!! If it is at your closest regional theatre go see it!!

[@annlebelt2676]

It’s great to see the acting done in the singing.

[@ruby7226]

1:21 MICHAEL ARDEN

[@tevisbryant4840]

I love that they used the All 4 One song “Someday” and Ciara made it her own

[@eocavanaugh]

Wow! At around 5:35, who is that amazing singer singing the solo in the finale?

[@secretsisters6354]

eocavanaugh Samantha Massel, I think. Don't quote me on that though!

[@maisarahmortaza281]

please please please come to london 😭

[@dr_death_defying4022]

I saw this show live (not the broadway cast). They had a loft on stage with a full choir shrouded in darkness. It is still to the day the most beautiful thing i have heard and seen.

[@xxdarkangelsxxaj5896]

MICHELLE ARDEN!!! 😍

[@oliviabender2863]

I heard Esmeralda and I lost it

[@lucyk.5163]

OH MY GOD. I wasn't expecting this to be this powerful. The sound is just amazing. Whew!! I'm blown away!! Gotta have this album!! Someday sounds great! I really, really don't like All-4-One and Eternal's version of it. I expected such a beautiful song to have awesome powerhouse vocals, like they did with A whole new world, Beauty and the Beast, Colors of the wind etc, and the way they did it is... extremely underwhelming to say the least imo. But this is GREAT!!!

[@kkaitlinten]

ME AND STEPHEN SCHWARTZ HAVE THE SAME TWO FAVORITE SONGS FEOM THIS SHOW

[@ProSnowWhite]

I'm not crying, you're crying.

[@kirrilyjoy4790]

WHO ELSE IS EXCITED FOR THE DISNEY LIVE ACTION REMAKE!? I hope they don’t devalue it though.

[@epicrapfan73]

MTI needs to make a Jr. version of this musical!

I cried watching this lol

[@antsar.6201]

is there a full length version of this video recording?

[@persephonelangsplaylists2749]

Listen i find the guy who plays hades in hadestown singing about hellfire quite ironic

[@amanday3103]

3:45 . Or just go straight to 3:56

[@MacDinoland]

Wow! This just popped up in my recommended list. Everyone is so great! But, scanning through the comments, I didn't see anyone mention who the soprano was who starts singing at 5:32. What part did she play, was she an actual character or a chorus member with that solo? She also has a beautiful voice. I wish they could somehow get this to Broadway! I wonder if it's the darker telling of the story that's closer to the book, and it's bittersweet ending? Sadly, it's not always about the art. It is called show BUSINESS for a reason. I'm thinking that the biggest targets for the B'way Disney musicals are most likely children. And not only would they expect to see the Disney animated version they love and know so well, once the word got out of this darker telling, the fans who would come back time and again, wouldn't. But somehow I hope they could figure out how to sell this version and make it work for a B'way showing. I would not only eagerly go to see it, I would audition for as well!

[@carolcameron4005]

I agree about the solo female. She steals the show for me!!!

[@amandaunzicker4190]

I would just like to know who the person is who gave this a thumbs down🤔

[@nayellievans8012]

Everyone loves Hellfire ❤

[@recentral48]

Patrick Page is the perfect Frolo.

[@DTG1_999]

that's tHe giRL from FlaSh

[@captn_v]

I would give Michael Arden my left toe to look at me

[@aaronchristos]

Singer at 5.36?

[@bensherm2389]

But those teeth tho, that chick needs braces, again

[@hazyhope._.]

bitch, holy shit. She looks flawless, get your eyes checked. She's definitely way prettier than you'll ever be 😭

[@timchan9454]

1:22 gets me every time... bruh

[@oliviabender2863]

Tim Chan Me too😭