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On my Parisian Game Night Post I suggested the Lego Notre Dame de Paris would a good option as fun activity. I also said in that post that I was tempted by it despite having very limited experience with Legos.
And for Christmas…..
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As it’s the spooky season and I already did a Fleur de Lys Costume post last year, I thought why not do an Esmeralda from Notre Dame de Paris Costume post?
Esmeralda wears two costumes in Notre Dame de Paris; her green act one costume and her white prisoner costume in act two. If you WANT to get super technical there are two other “costumes” she wears. One is a weird lab coat-looking costume as seen in the original 1998 Paris production and a red rose costume worn in London and Russian promotional pictures.
This post is just going to focus on the green dress. There are a few takes on the this costume and for even more info you can read this article. Very simply there is the swirl-like velvet version and then the takes on that version which use some form of pattern, mainly tonal florals. Then there is the Italian version which uses patchwork lace. And lastly there the 2016 redesign.
The green color can appear more like golden-olive green but darker tones can be used like in Korean version.
However there are a few design elements that remain consistence. Her dress is is an A-line silhouette with a v-neck with 3/4 bell-sleeves, and is roughly floor length with a high slit up the leg. There can be sparkly details like metallic thread or sequins. Italian version however doesn’t have an sparkly embellishments.
These picks are more based on over-all vibes rather than getting an exact matching dress which would need to be sewn. Also not including the redesign version as it a very unique dress.
Option #1: MEROKEETY Women’s V Neck Wrap Velvet Maxi Dress Bell Sleeve
Option #2: WaterDress Women’s Velvet Prom Dress with Sleeves Slit V Neck
Option #3: Ever-Pretty Women’s Retro Evening Gown A Line V-Neck Wrap Velvet Long Formal Dress
Option #4: BerryGo Women’s Velvet V Neck Wrap Semi Formal Dress Cocktail Party Maxi Dress
Option #5: Adrianna Papell Women’s Burnout Velvet Gown
This version was harder than I thought it would be
Option #1: Simplee Women’s Boho Floral Maxi Dress
Option #2: Simplee Women’s Velvet Maxi Dress V Neck Short Sleeve Empire Waist Semi Formal Long Cocktail Dress
Option #3: Amegoya Women’s Velvet Short Sleeve V Neck Formal Maxi Dress
Option #4: BTFBM Women’s Boho Cocktail Maxi Dress
Option #5: Sparkly Sequin Mermaid Prom Dresses for Women with Slit Long Sleeve Evening Party Gown
Option #1: REPHYLLIS Women’s V Neck Lace Vintage Formal Bridesmaid Wedding Long Dress
Option #2: VFSHOW Womens Off Shoulder Bell Sleeve Formal Evening Wedding Party Maxi Dress
Option #3: Prom Dresses with Slit Pocket V Neck Lace Long Ball Gown 3/4 Sleeves Satin Formal Party Gown
Notre Dame de Paris Esmeralda has darker hair compared to Fleur de Lys. Most of the time it’s the performer’s natural hair but wigs are used. The Wigs are dark brown, black or even reddish tones. Her hair is traditionally long with some form of wave to it. If you hair is already long and a darker shade, you’re good but if not you don’t need a wig if you don’t want to wear one.
Fun Fact: There has been at least one Esmeralda who has rocked short hair, Melanie Renaud.
Wig Option #1: Esmee Long Wavy Black Wigs for Women Natuaral Synthetic Hair Heat Resistant Brunette Wig
Wig Option #2: WIGNEE Long Red Wig Middle Part Dark Red Wig 26 Inches Long Wavy Wig
Wig Option #3: Black Wigs for Women Long Wavy Middle Part Full Wigs Halloween Cosplay Synthetic Wig
May your Halloween be fill of Costumes and Candy. Have Fun!
There was some big Hunchback related news in 2023. So let’s over some big ones.
On January 16th 2023 Gina Lollobrigida passed at the age of 95. She was well known for playing Esmeralda in the 1956 film version.
In April 2023 there was a new version of Quasimodo to get a movie. Broken Lizard’s Quasi was a spoof version of the Hunchback that served as a kind of sequel for the Bell-ringer. It was not good, in my opinion. It was Quasi in name only. It did give people a pay-check, so that is at least a net-positive. And it was the latest movie to feature the character since Hotel Transylvania.
In 2023 the World Tour Cast of Notre Dame de Paris had two returns. First it returned to Lincoln Center in New York City and then in November it went to Paris to the Palais des Congrès which was the show’s original venue in 1998.
And lastly the state of the so-called Disney Live-action remake is in limbo. In March there was a viral TikTok fancast that gave the Disney Live-action remake some attention. Josh Gad stated that the fancast was not real and added that he hoped “the powers that be will see this love and let us make the live action adaptation the original animated film deserves.” By May, Alan Menken said that the project was in limbo and in August it was being reported that Iger scraped the project but it wasn’t official just rumored but does seem likely.
The Disney versions of Quasimodo, Esmeralda, Frollo, Phoebus, the gargoyles, and Djali did appear in the Once Upon a Time short along with 500+ characters and Quasimodo got one of the solos so that is a positive.
On September 6th The Lon Chaney version of Hunchback celebrated its 100 year anniversary.
A mix-bag to say the least. I’m sure there are other news pieces of merits but these are the ones that just stick out the most.
Do you think Hunchback dodged a bullet with the live-action movie get scrapped? Is Disney too scared of the project? Will 2024 bring any new Hunchback news? It might since Notre Dame is set to re-open December 8th 2024.
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So you want to fit in with all the Barbie costumes this Halloween but still want to have a costume related to Hunchback?
That is a very unique and super niche problem. To be a fair a pink Esmeralda look COULD work very well. There is also the fact that Esmeralda, Phoebus and Quasimodo were all given the doll treatment.
But which character from a version of Hunchback of Notre Dame has that stereotypical Barbie look? Who is blonde and wears pink? The Answer is….
Notre Dame de Paris’ Fleur de Lys . Fleur de Lys’ costume in this version is relatively simple, especially the design from 1998-2015. It’s consists of a pink sleeveless dress with darker pink dye marks and some sparse crystal details. The length is a dealer’s choice as you can make it mid-calf to floor length. Also low-high (or high-low) hemlines are fine as they are used in some productions. Though if you want, you can go shorter. If you already have a sleeveless pink dress, or gown, in your closet go for that one but if you don’t have a pink dress on-hand here are some options.
Try to avoid dresses with boho styles as that doesn’t fit Fleur de Lys. Think classic or even glam looks.
Pink Dress option #1: LILLUSORY Womens Summer Casual Slip Dresses Spaghetti Strap Bodycon Maxi Dress
Pink Dress option #2: Yexinbridal Spaghetti Straps Prom Dress Long Satin Beaded V-Neck Formal Evening Party Ball Gowns with Pockets
Pink Dress option #3: Litherday Silk Nightgown for Women Long Satin Slip Dress Nightdress Silky Chemise Nightie Soft V Neck Nightwear
For shoes any type of heel can work so long as it’s pink. This is a “Think Pink” costume. To be honest as long as the shoe is pink go for it. Maybe not a sneakers though.
Pink Heel option #1: DREAM PAIRS Women’s Chunk Low Heel Pump Sandals
Pink Heel option #2: J. Adams Dove Ankle Strap Womens Heels, Stiletto Heels
Pink Heel option #3: DREAM PAIRS Women’s Kitten Heel Slingback Pointed Closed Toe Low Stiletto Heels Dress Bridal Elegant Wedding Pumps Shoes
In Notre Dame de Paris, Fleur de Lys is typically blonde, the foil to Esmeralda. Some productions however opted to have Fleur de Lys use their natural hair colors. In those productions the Fleur de Lys straighten their locks and the Esmeralda has wavy hair. So if you don’t not want to wear a wig or dye your hair at least straighten it. You can also add flowers or crystal into your hairstyle.
Blonde Wig option #1: Short Blonde Wig with Bangs Wavy Bob Wig with Bangs for Women Loose Wavy Shoulder Length Honey Blonde
Blonde Wig option #2: ENTRANCED STYLES Blonde wig with Bangs, Long Straight Wigs
Blonde Wig option #3: Long Blonde Wavy Synthetic Lace Front Wig Middle Part Lace Wigs Synthetic Hair Wig
If you’re feeling bold you can add abstract dark pink paint detail with fabric paint and add crystals. Also in the original production Fleur de Lys wore a crystal bracelet. It’s very delicate looking and not made from beads.
If you would rather just go more book-accurate Fleur de Lys costume you can, just make it 15th century style princess and try to get a hennin headpiece.
Do you live in or near Montreal? Or are you planning on visiting Montreal or Quebec during Aug 2nd through the 12th? Do you like Notre Dame de Paris and what to see it? Or have you never seen it and would like the chance?
Well you’re in luck because the show is being performed in Montreal Aug 2nd-12th at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier! So go see if you can.
Source – https://themontrealeronline.com/2023/07/notre-dame-de-paris-august-2-12-2023/
I got this sheet music over a decade ago however I had barely touched it till recently. I took piano lessons for seven years and I would say I’m passable. At best maybe fair, B- or C+ on a good day maybe. I do really enjoy playing the piano however even if I’m not good. There was period in late fall of 2020 when I was playing more which was a coping mechanism. However I don’t recall playing “Belle” during that period of time. Then I stopped playing and started up again a few weeks ago and “Belle” is very enjoyable to play.
This particular arrangement has vocal accompaniment but I tend to just play the vocals. The vocals are just more fun but I do want to get better with the accompaniment. I find Quasimodo’s verse the easiest to play and Phoebus’ hardest. This is because all the notes in the first part of the verse are flat and mind you I’m not an accomplished piano player so a little tricky, still fun though. C and F flats throw me off.
My mind did a shut down once playing this. I had been playing “In the Hall of the Mountain King” which starts off similarly so when I switched to “Belle” I was had a moment where I couldn’t figure out what I was playing.
I might try and get a Disney Hunchback sheet music book at some point, I do have other pieces that I want to learn/relearn before I get anything new. “Moonlight Sonata” was the last piece I was working on before I stopped taking lessons so ideally I would love to get passable at that one. But for right now I’m enjoying playing “Belle.”
I love Notre Dame de Paris and I love costumes so here some ideas for more costumes for the show.
Let me just preface by saying these ideas are adding, not subtracting or even really changing existing costumes in the show. Also I only have ideas for three characters.
So let’s start with the idea that is the least likely to happen, (also I do not think any of these ideas will get used in the show but if they do that would be great.)
When Quasimodo is first seen in the show he on the cathedral rock wall structure and the audience sees his figure descending down. I think it could be cool if he had a cloak that really accentuates his form. Maybe with a wired structure or something. The cloak could be made in such a way it’s pulls a parts prior to his song for a dramatic true reveal. Might be hard to execute but could be done. It’s not like the his entry isn’t enough as is, this would just be extra spectacle . Or they do opposite and hide Quasimodo’s form with the cloak till his first song making him more of a reveal.
As I said I like costumes so more costume is always a plus and it’s more of a plus when they added thoughtful. Esmeralda doesn’t necessarily need more costume changes but there are places in the show that they could go and would work for the narrative. In theory she could be a different dress for the Fête much like in the Disney movie. This one is least necessary but I just wanted to mention it as possibility.
At the end of act 1 she meets Phoebus for their tryst. In a few movies versions Esmeralda gets a costume change for their meeting. Also the show did use a red rose fringe dress for promotion that depicted this scene. The dress was used for the London cast, 2001 French Cast also maybe the Russian cast too. So this would a very good place to add another pretty costume for Esmeralda.
Beginning of Act 2 Esmeralda as been arrested for killing/attacking Phoebus. She is recused by Quasimodo. In the book Quasimodo gives her some new clothing which is white and a nun’s habit. Not saying that for “Vivre” but it would be nice to have different costume from the prisoner one. Also in the original cast Esmeralda had her ruffle dress plus a lab coat looking item which she wears after “Vivre” though that could be for practical reasons. So she had two looks in the 2nd act, at least she did in the pro-shot. Maybe something white and a little ethereal and ephemeral to counter the previous costume which is now a heavy textured costume.
This idea would be the easiest to add to the show. A lot of the costumes have multiple layers, like coats and vests. Though over the years the production have played around with it, Gringoire still have his coat as does Frollo. Clopin has lost his coat in favor of a vest. Esmeralda has long since lost her lab coat thing. Phoebus’ chainmail get taken off and on but Quasimodo and Fleur de Lys never got an extra layer. It makes sense for Quasimodo but for her….
I think Fleur de Lys should have detachable sleeves for the 1st act and for the curtain call and them have off for act 2. This would give her more prim elite noblewoman appearance in 1st act and then 2nd act when she use her sexuality to get Phoebus to make sure Esmeralda hangs her bare arms would further get the point across. She’s showing some skin to manipulate her man though showcase the power dynamics in their relationship. It would show how her character has changed throughout the show.
The type of sleeves I would like to see for her is not historically accurate but none of the costumes in this show are so it doesn’t matter. I would like to see her with long sleeves with a tippet. A tippet is hanging piece of fabric off a part of a garment. For Fleur de Lys it would a long streamer attract to the upper part of the sleeves. In this picture of Buttercup from The Princess Bride, the silver part of the sleeve is the tippet. So that and the sleeves would be detachable.
I could see the performer having fun this these especially during the curtain calls as the Fleur de Lys performers tends to spin and hold her arms out. Plus it would make her look even more noble and would be a subtle change from the first act to the second act.
So are my costume ideas for Notre Dame de Paris. If i could pick one it was be Fleur de Lys sleeves, even the designer went in a different direction it would be great for the character.
Notre Dame de Paris is returning to Lincoln Center in New York City. The Cast also performed in Turkey back in May and is returning to Paris in late November at the original venue of the Palais des congrès de Paris
As for the Lincoln Center performances, it was recently extended by a week. Shows start June 22 and go til July 16th.
The cast is very similar to last year
Quasimodo – Angelo Del Vecchio
Esmeralda – Elhaida Dani
Frollo- Daniel Lavoie
Gringoire – Gain Marco Schiaretti
Clopin – Jay
Fleur de Lys – Alyzée Lalande
Phoebus – Jérémy Amelin
More info here https://notredamedeparis.com/
So if you are able to go, please go and maybe it will return again. I read that it was returning to New York for the 25th anniversary of the show but it would great if comes back again soon.
On personal note I don’t think I can go this year, I would to love of course but it’s doubtful. Hopefully it will come back again soon that would be so wonderful. If you’re going I hope you enjoy.
This post is more off the cuff than normal
Here is a news article about what is I guess known about the not-newest Hunchback version, which is the Broken Lizard version, but the Disney one
https://movieweb.com/disney-hunchback-of-notre-dame-everything-we-know/
So here are some core bits points.
According to this article fans “want’ Josh Gad to play Quasimodo. I’m not on instagram, nor am I all that plugged into what is the cultural zeitgeist of fan casting for Quasimodo is on the internet (which I don’t think is all that up there in relevance.) With respect to Gad, he would not be my first pick. I did listen to a podcast from awhile ago that tangentially mentioned him playing Clopin based on instagram stuff.
I only pegged him as Quasimodo in the past because he was making a push for this adaptation and it just seemed to a role that male actors want to play, for good reason. Also if you read a recent casting post I made, Gad is in the age range for Quasimodo actors, as he is 41. A year older than the average of 40.
However the article has no insight on casting but there is some info on the crew. Also the article says that the movie has a release date of July 19th, 2024.
Also an article from The Wrap (which I’m not linking because of laziness) put Notre Dame de Paris as 3rd (or maybe 4th I can’t recall, this why you shouldn’t be lazy like me) worst production of 2022 in New York City. It is very interesting how mixed the NYC reaction was to the show. I do get that it’s not a perfect show, I still love it but I can understand other POVs on it. The production isn’t super concern whether or not the plot makes sense but it’s more about emotions. And maybe that is an excuse but if people/theater critics didn’t like the show then so be it.
So there is some new nuggets for the end of the year.
As a Christmas present in 2020 I was given tickets to see Notre Dame de Paris in New York City July 2022. So I had a long time to get hyped. The tickets were for the Saturday afternoon show on the 16th. In theory I could have gone to Canada to see the show but New York City is closer to me despite the fact that I had only been once prior as child. So in the future if the show never returns to NYC I could go to a performance across the border but who knows maybe it will return someday. It’s so weird to me that this the only second time it’s been performed in the states. The Second and the first time in the Big Apple. Then again a lot of shows have never been performed in the States.
So this was first my time seeing the show live. I had always thought that if I was going to see the show in the States that it would be in English and I was ok with that. So I was happy to learn back when it was first announced that it was going to be in French.
One thing that was a little weird/interesting was that in the lobby there was large photos from the show and mostly it was from the current revival cast, pretty sure, except there was one of Lola Ponce who played Esmeralda in the first Italian cast and is currently reprising her role. Not sure why they had that photo at Koch theatre unless they thought it was just a good photo op. It just stood out to me.
So how was it? It was great. 10 out 10 I would see it live again. Was it so different seeing it live than seeing it in the pro-shot or recordings as I have for years? I’m not really sure. I did like that could look around the stage and see interactions that I would typically miss especially with the pro-shot. Like entrances and exits or what other performers are doing when the focus isn’t on them. I also just liked being in the space with a crowd watching the show.
Also I didn’t know the show used a haze effect so I learned something new. There were also changes to the show that didn’t know like that “Val de Amour” got toned down. I don’t typically rewatch that number so I didn’t know about the changes, it’s not as racy as the pro-shot or the Italian version pro-shot. There are also little things with blocking noticed but I won’t go into specifics.
This is not my recording. I’m miserable at getting pictures as I just never think to get them in the moment. But this recoding of the curtain call is from the performance I attended. Also my seat was up in the 4th ring so I was very high up so it might have been it might good have been a good shot any way but I did unobstructed view because I was in row 1 so I could see whole stage.
If I ever see show again I will try to get a picture from the curtain call. Also also at points in the show spotlights sweep over the audience and one at the end of “Vivre” went pretty much into my eyes and probably everyone else in my area too.
Also of course there was merch. The merch included shirts, a mug, a tote, a poster, a keychain and a book. There could have been more but those items are what I remember.
At first I was like “Nah I don’t need stuff.” Then by intermission I decided to get the book and then like two minutes after that I impulsively got the Belle shirt. I sort of regret not getting the tote bag but I thought it was a little small for my purposes. Whatever. It’s fine.
Has seeing the show rekindled my interested in the show? A little bit yeah.