We’ve done something incredible.
After the announcement that The Hunchback of Notre Dame was not going to be transferring to Broadway, the fans were both outraged and heartbroken. Once again, Disney had given the Hunchback fanbase the cold shoulder.
However, we were not going to go down without a fight-we were going to let Disney know exactly how we felt. We rallied together, signed petitions, sent them letters, and expressed our admiration for Hunchback and its stage productions. Admittedly, I didn't think anything would come from our efforts--it was just a way to show Disney that the fanbase was alive and well...that we cared and that there was indeed a market for the story that has gotten largely ignored by the company over the years. Still...hopefully, someone would listen.
Thankfully, somebody did listen. Our reward? A cast album! This is absolutely huge. No, it is not the full-fledged Broadway production that many of us were pining for, but it is definitely the next best thing, and it is wonderful. It’s wonderful that we were listened to for what seems to be the very first time.
Now, I won’t pretend that fan protests are the only reason the album is getting made--I’m sure both Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz had a great deal to do with it. However, I’m confident that the relentless feedback they were getting is a large reason why this is happening at all. Let’s hope this paves the way for further projects involving Hunchback...here’s to a bright future to Disney’s most brilliant and underrated gem.
Congratulations, everyone. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. I hope you’ll join me in buying the cast album the second it goes on sale! :’)
