Sofia Essaïdi picture image

Sofia Essaïdi

In a post on Notre Dame de Paris Fans, there was note from a tumblr blog called  Passing Dreams that had a list of who they thought  would be the ideal casting choices for Esmeralda, Quaismodo and Frollo if there was a French revival of Notre Dame de Paris. Just got to say that a new French cast would be awesome. The Show hasn’t been performed as a musical in France since 2005. Anyway so I’m going to look at these people and first up is Sofia Essaïdi  for Esmeralda.

Sofia Essaïdi picture image

Sofia Essaïdi

 

Sofia Essaïdi is half French and half Moroccan so there is no denying that she has a the right look for Esmeralda and she is very beautiful. She was on the third season of France’s Star Academy (2004) which she came in second.  On Star Academy she performed Vivre (see video at the bottom of the page) . She has also released an album in 2005 called Mon Cabaret (see video to hear Mon Cabaret). She was also on the French version of Dancing with the Stars were she came in  second.  She also played Cleopatra in the 2009 French musical Cléopâtre, la Dernière Reine d’Égypte

Sofia Essaïdi as Cleopatra from Cléopâtre, la Dernière Reine d'Égypte picture image

Sofia Essaïdi as Cleopatra from Cléopâtre, la Dernière Reine d’Égypte

 

Essaïdi would make a great Esmeralda, she can sing and she dances very well. I just happen to not be overly fond of her voice, it’s not that it’s bad, it just doesn’t resonate with me. I also didn’t care for her rendition of Vivre but I think a musical director could help if she was cast (plus those hamster-ball people wouldn’t be there either). However I did like her as Cleopatra.

Sofia Essaïdi picture image

Sofia Essaïdi

 

I think if she were to play Esmeralda it would be would be a great casting choice.

 

Sofia Essaïdi picture image

Sofia Essaïdi

Videos of Sofia Essaïdi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byo5UhCOMhw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIaHuvT_FUI
Christopher Stills would make a good Phoebus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Shoiw8Xp08
click here to buy the song