David H. Koch Theater, New York, NY.
July 16, 2022.
Premiering in 1998, the French mega-hit musical, Notre Dame de Paris (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), is simply now making its NYC debut, 24 years later, as one thing of a marvel. This globe-trotting present has been seen in 23 international locations and translated into eight languages however lands in Lincoln Center for its first American efficiency with a solid of 30, performing the two-and-a-half hour present in French.
There’s quite a bit to maintain monitor of with this present. The story, informed numerous instances earlier than, is a fancy telling of the age-old story. Simpler variations confine the plot to the plight of Quasimodo and his love of Esmerelda, however this model tries to introduce the deeper context of 15th century French literature.
For the uninitiated (learn: not one of many many mega-fans I spied within the viewers), it’s arduous to know what to make of all of it. To be clear, this present is a spectacle in each sense of the phrase.
Power-ballad after power-ballad propel the story ahead. Dancers climb the units and backflip always. Coupled with the singing in French (with English translation screens on both sides of the stage), it was arduous to know what to concentrate to.
The present runs prefer it’s been in manufacturing for the final quarter of a century, and there aren’t any kinks that haven’t been labored out. But it additionally seems like its age – it’s a type of reveals imbedded with the cultural tendencies of the period wherein it was born. As an schooling in late ‘90s musical theater, it provides a worthy example. For some, it’s a dream come true to have it play within the United States after so lengthy, and for others, it’s a visit down reminiscence lane to a time when decadence in theater dominated the day. For all, it’s a basic story of the guts and the various paths love leads us down.
By Emily Sarkissian of Dance Informa.
