I tangently and briefly touched on this casting concept in my post ranking the songs from The Swan Princess, how is that for an introduction?
But in all seriousness there exists in musical theatre three roles from musicals based iconic French literary works where the principal antagonist is motivated by his obsession. Honestly there is more than likely more title than three* but Javert and The Phantom are from musical smash-hits and The Hunchback of Notre Dame/Notre Dame de Paris is more under-appreciated shows in the musical theater space, at least in North America. Note Dame de Paris is a little more beloved in other parts of the World.
So if you have guessed the roles are Javert, The Phantom and Frollo or as I call them “Obsessive French Man Musical Trio of Roles” though at first I used the word “triumvirate,” “trio” as a word works a little better with the music theme.
Originally I had thought there was one performer that had, at least some capacity, played all three role thus completing the trio but alas it turns out I was wrong. One, Joesph Tokarz was in ensemble of a Yeston’s Phantom production and not the Opera Ghost himself. However since I proved myself wrong there I decided to dig a little more to see if there was a Notre Dame de Paris former cast member who fit the criteria and I’m sad to say that we were so close. Wim van den Driessche was cast as Firmin and as one of the Phantom understudies for the canceled Mogador 2016 Paris cast. Could be another performer who has actively played all three roles of Frollo, Javert and the Phantom? Maybe but haven’t found that performer as of yet. But there is also hope that it could happen one day.
For the more well-known version the musicals many performers have played two out the three roles mostly The Phantom and Javert so let’s go for broke and suggest a musical performer for a Frollo who has also played Javert and The Phantom in high profile productions, Norm Lewis.
Norm Lewis is a veteran of musical theatre actor and has stared in some prolific shows in his tenure on stage. Also Norm Lewis was one of the inspiration this whole idea of a performer playing all threes of these specific roles or the “Obsessive French Man Musical Trio of Roles”.
Pitch Perfect
So which Frollo would Norm Lewis be bested suited to perform? Honestly I have to say the Disney one. Frollo is a baritone in that adaptation and the is pretty much Lewis’ vocal range. So it’s perfect fit.
Acting
His voice while deep is also so rich and warm that it could make for interesting take for Frollo. Like his voice could get progressively colder, darker, crueler and maybe harsher to punctuate his descent into obsession and madness. Or he could start off with a lot of vocal restraint and get more crazed. There are so many difference avenues to give nuance to a vocal performance separate from the physicality of gestural acting.
Norm Lewis also play Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar. Much like Frollo, Caiaphas is a high ranking antagonist priest. So close and so far.
Also to add another layer into the mix Norm Lewis also played King Triton. So that would also be double Disney.
On the acting and singing front I have every confidence that Norm Lewis could play Frollo very well.
Final Musing
While Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a darling of regional theatre productions there is no real reason a higher budgeted production couldn’t be mounted it with Norm Lewis as Frollo. I mean the show is available for licensing by Disney Theatricals.
And while I would be happy to finally get a performer to achieve the “Obsessive French Man Musical Trio of Roles,” I could also be content for Norm Lewis to perform “Hellfire.” That would be fine just fine though Norm Lewis would make a great Frollo casting choice!
*In Early 2026 there was a new off-broadway musical run of The Count of Monte Cristo which could be added into Obsessive French musical roles. And while Norm Lewis was in that musical he was Villefort and not Edmund.
Also Side Note -I did a double take when I saw that picture of Lewis as Caiaphas because it looked very much like it be an adaptation of Frollo
