Shiki Theatre Company's The Hunchback of Notre Dame might be addictive
That Hunchback of Notre Dame is coming back to Osaka.
It is one of the musicals I want to recommend with all my heart.
Rather than me saying this or that here, you will understand once you see it.
The original work is by Victor Hugo, also known for Les Misérables and others.
The Disney version is by the composer known for famous songs from The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, etc., Alan Menken.
The lyrics are by Stephen Schwartz, the composer of WICKED, which was also recently made into a movie.
In today's Japan, which is dominated by lookism,
in a world where the flames of war are rising here and there,
what is religion? What is God?
What is a human being? What is a true monster?
It pierces your soul without any sugarcoating.
The singing of the main cast, of course, as well as the ensemble and the choir,
is simply wonderful.
At times wild, at times powerful, at times sacred.
The distance between the stage and the audience is close, and you are drawn in.
For those who want to be struck by overwhelming vocal power.
For those who want their emotions shaken from the soul by a story.
For those who want to experience the brilliance and wonder of the production.
For those who just want to cry.
The reason can be anything.
Just please watch it once.
The ending is completely different from the animated version.
From the very beginning, my mask was soaked with tears and snot.
Don't tell me I started crying too early.
I was so desperate to hold back my sobbing,
I almost hyperventilated and became oxygen-deprived.
After leaving the theater, I had a terrible headache and took Loxonin.
Those who get hooked will get hooked hard.
Even though it is a painful, agonizing, and hopeless musical,
you find yourself unable to stop seeking that pain and agony.
Just like an addiction.
Among the types of Disney musicals that don't really catch on in America,
there are songs that symbolize the universality of the world and the times.
This is one of them, in my opinion.
The song "Someday" sung by Esmeralda really touches the heart.