Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
Book by James Lapine
Directed by James Lapine‍ ‍

Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, Hunchback showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs. The musical opens on Notre Dame cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda. Quasimodo is captivated by her free spirit, though the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.‍

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Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame

Berlin Theatre (Theater am Potsdamer Platz)
June 5, 1999 - June 2002

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  • Alan Menken, Music

    Stephen Schwartz, Lyrics

    James Lapine, Book

    James Lapine, Director

    Michael Kunze, German Translation

    Klaus Wilhelm, Musical Director

    Lar Lubovitch, Choreographer

    Heidi Ettinger, Set Design

    Sue Blane, Costume Designer

    Rick Fisher, Lighting Designer

    Tony Meola, Sound Designer

    Jerome Sirlin, Projections

    Based upon the Disney film The Hunchback of Notre Dame

    Productions 1999 Berlin


  • Drew Sarich: Quasimodo

    Judy Weiss: Esmeralda

    Fredrik Lycke: Pheobus

    Jens Janke: Clopin

    Norbert Lamla: Frollo

    Valentin Zahn: Charles

    Yvonne Ritz Andersen: Loni

    Tamàs Ferkay: Antoine

    Carlo Lauber: The Arch Deacon

Reviews & Features

“As a symbol of the newly confident and international German capital-to-be, ‘Hunchback’ soars high as it introduces an American musical theater revelation in the stooped form of 23-year-old newcomer Drew Sarich, who plays the title role… The prevailing tone is far and away the most somber of the three Disney film-to-stage shows yet. That’s in keeping with the Gothic intensity of Hugo’s 1831 novel, if not with the facetious screenplay of three years ago…”

Matt Wolf for Vulture, 1999

Fun Facts:

  • Hunchback was the first Disney musical to be produced internationally and it became one of Berlin’s longest running musicals to date.

  • The production featured forty-two total actors from six different nations.

  • A later version of Hunchback that was developed for North America has a different book writer. Lapine’s book is only featured in the Berlin version.