Notre Dame de Paris

 Notre Dame de Paris
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
July 23, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Notre Dame de Paris

Notre Dame de Paris, a musical spectacle by Luc Plamondon and Richard Cocciante, is a bold and passionate telling of the Victor Hugo classic.  This visually stunning production has toured all over the world.  The set design by Christian Rätz magnificently fills the stage at Lincoln Center’s David Koch Theater, while leaving opens space for the brilliant choreography and aerial routines of Matino Müller.  The cast and ensemble are skillful, energetic, and mesmerizing. 

Photo courtesy of Notre Dame de Paris

The story revolves around Esmeralda (played by Hiba Tawaji), a young bohemian woman who sings and dances in the square in front of the Cathedral of Notre Dame.  She is noticed by Frollo (played by Daniel Lavoie), the archdeacon of Notre Dame.  His attraction quickly becomes an obsession.  Phoebus (played by Yvan Pedneault) is a captain in the King’s cavalry.  He captures Esmeralda’s heart, but is engaged to Fleur-de-Lys (played by Emma Lépine).  There is much conflict in the emotional ties between these characters, yet the one who loves Esmeralda with a pure heart is Quasimodo (played by Angelo Del Vecchio), the hunchback and partially blind bell ringer of Notre Dame.  When Esmeralda rendezvous with Phoebus, Frodo follows her.  He stabs Phoebus out of jealousy.  Quasimodo saves Esmeralda from Frodo’s advances, yet she cannot escape his wrath.  She is sentenced to hang for fighting for the rights of the undocumented immigrants after her friend, Chopin (played by Jay) is killed.  Quasimodo throws Frodo down the stairs of the bell tower out of anger over Esmeralda’s death.  He goes to Esmeralda’s body to profess his love. 

Photo courtesy of Notre Dame de Paris

The story is fully told through song, and performed in French.  The score is lush, melodic, and romantic.  The dramatic action builds as the songs are juxtaposed to one another, revealing the motivations and inner thoughts of each character.  The voices of this cast are astounding.  They each have a different quality, from pop to rock to classic, that defines their character and brings dimension and conflict to the story.

Norte Dame de Paris closes on July 24.  Hopefully it will tour through New York again in the near future.  If you did not get a chance to see it this time, be ready the next. 

Domenick Danza