Through November 4, 2017
(216) 241-6000
Bob Abelman
There’s
something so 1980s about the musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” currently in
production by Great Lakes Theater.
To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's blog here.
Roy Berko
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is not a typical Disney stage creation. It is a dark, brooding musical and probably not appropriate for children. While the first act is rather slow, the second act is strong. It is well worth seeing.
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.
Kerry Clawson
When young, bare-chested actor Corey Mach steps out of the crowd during the opening number of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and transforms right before our eyes into Quasimodo, assuming the crooked body language, gaping mouth and shirt with a hump, we are transfixed. “What makes a monster and what makes a man?” he sings. That is the central question of this epic sweep of a musical, which is based on Victor Hugo’s novel and the 1996 Disney movie. The stunning show, featuring brilliant vocals from a cast of 19 directed by Victoria Bussert, is making its Midwest premiere at Great Lakes Theater in Cleveland.
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To see a full review of this show, read Kerry Clawson's review here.
Mark Horning
Somehow Great Lakes Theater manages to enlarge the
stage in all directions for this phenomenal bigger than life rendering of the
Victor Hugo classic. All of the elements of light, sound, voice and dance
combine to totally captivate the audience in a production that can only be
described as "Magnifique." This is the high bar from which all other Playhouse
Square shows will be measure to this season. See this show!
Christine Howey
Thanks
to the sure hand of director Bussert, it all works as a sumptuous theatrical
treat. But perhaps due to its cartoon lineage, it lacks the impact of that
other musical made from a Hugo novel: Les
Miserables.
Howard Gollop
Like another recent Disney film-to-stage transfer, “Freaky Friday,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” belongs to a new entertainment genre — direct-to-regional-theater — sort of the live-stage version of direct-to-video.
But at least the people behind this show are thinking. And the people in front of the stage are talented. So a Broadway run for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” doesn’t seem to be out of the question,” and neither would it be out of the question if it were a staging such as this.
Laura Kennelly
The Hanna Great Lakes Theater’s opening show this season is The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a Disney-film-inspired musical that didn’t make it to Broadway. Director Victoria Bussert’s signature touch is shown in her vibrant use of the Hanna’s cozy space and her employment of a wonderfully talented cast. But even Bussert’s talent can’t dissipate the awkward story created by this Disneyfication of Victor Hugo’s novel. (“Disneyfication” here means simplifying a 19th-century 800-plus page gothic romance into a single story that argues for being kind to strangers and to those weaker than oneself.)
Andrea Simakis
From its dark corners to is most heavenly choral numbers, the musical works wonderfully at the Hanna. Great Lakes has begun its new season in big style.
To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.
