The bells of Notre Dame rang with extra resonance on Tuesday, November 11, as hundreds of D23 Members celebrated the arrival of Hunchback of Notre Dame at the La Jolla Playhouse at a very special performance with some magnifique touches.
Upon arrival guests received a limited-edition Hunchback of Notre Dame pin made just for the occasion. From there it was to the glittering reception.
Guests enjoyed delicious appetizers, desserts, and specially prepared grilled croque monsieur sandwiches, in one of several party areas.
Before the performance, La Jolla Playhouse dramaturge Shirley Fishman sat down with Disney Theatrical dramaturge Ken Cerniglia to discuss the creation and development of the show, which goes back to the roots of the famous Victor Hugo novel while using the lush score by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.
Following the panel, guests were escorted to the theater for a spectacular performance of this terrific new musical, followed by a talk-back with virtually the entire cast including Michael Arden, who broke audience members’ hearts as Quasimodo; Ciara Reneé, whose spectacular voice rang out with breathtaking clarity as Esmerelda; and Patrick Page, who has worked with Disney before on Broadway in The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast and who masterfully played the villainous-but-conflicted Frollo. In a word: superbe!
Hunchback of Notre Dame runs at the La Jolla Playhouse through December 14 and opens at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey March 4, 2015.