The Hunchback of Notre Dame @ Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse presents Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame: a truly stunning and emotion grabbing hit. Inspired by the classic Victor Hugo novel and the only stage collaboration between two giants of American musical theater. Music by Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Little Shop of Horrors), lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin). An intimate retelling of the famous love story, with a lush, emotionally rich score and a production that will leave you inspired.

Leading the cast is the incredible Michael Arden. Arden is a force to be reckoned with, when he first walks out on stage, he grabs the audience in his fists and drags them along for a performance of a lifetime. Patrick Page portrays the Froillo, Quaz's guardian, Although in the disney movie and original story Froillo is presented as evil and unlikeable, this productions give his a back story that allows you to feel for him. Page's Hellfire was truly stunning to the point where the audience was brought to their feet in the middle of the act. Rounding out the cast is Ciara Renee as the sexy gypsy Esermelda. Renee is lovable and sexy, and her voice is just as electrifying as her dancing. 


The Hunchback of Notre Dame opened at Paper Mill Playhouse on March 4th 2015 and plays through April 5thth, 2015. If this production doesn't move to Broadway, then you will mess out on a truly remarkable production.

Review By: James Russo
Photos By: Kevin Berne