Originally I was going to do a more broad stroke casting for Eva Noblezada that should be casted as a voice actress for a new Disney Princess type character.
And while I do think that Disney should go back to their roots and cast Broadway talents for their animated characters after doing the Norm Lewis post I do think Eva Noblezada would make a great choice for Esmeralda in the Disney theatrical version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
(post contains affiliate links)
A Charming Vagabond
Eva Noblezada is best known for orginating both Eurydice in Hadestown and Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby on Broadway. While both roles are quite different from each the characters have aspects that could be transferred to Esmeralda.
Eurydice is a tough streetwise poor girl who is constantly traveling. She is also lovestruck in spite of herself and tragic. I did compare Eurydice to Esmeralda from Notre Dame de Paris in another post, but I do feel Eurydice is more akin to the Disney version than Notre Dame de Paris or the book.
Daisy while ethereal and charming displays a sense of cynical realism covered by nativity. It’s not the most solid comparison to Esmeralda but both women are put of a pedestal and idolized.
That being said, given that Noblezada has played both Daisy and Eurydice effectively with a lot grace and nuance it stands to reason the she would be a fit for Esmeralda.
The Voice
Eva Noblezada is an alto/mezzo-soprano which is the exact voice range for the Disney’s Esmeralda. Esmeralda might hit a note lower than Noblezada’s range but I don’t think it would an issue since it’s about the story and feeling of the music/character rather than about the technical notes.
Final Thoughts
Not to repeat myself from the Norm Lewis post but given Noblezada does keep to Broadway and sometimes the West End, I do think the production would have to be higher profile than strictly regional for Noblezada to play Esmeralda, could be wrong though, this just a musing.
However if Noblezada were to ever play the role of Esmeralda she would be brilliant.
I would also be content with her doing covers of the Esmeralda’s songs maybe, “Rhythm of the Tambourine,” or “God Help the Outcast,” or “Someday.”
