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The invitation to the gala opening performance read: "All In One Unforgettable Evening - Love, Lust, Jealousy, Betrayal, Passion, Paris."
Thus is written a new chapter in Las Vegas entertainment history, as Notre Dame de Paris, the French musical spectacular that TIME magazine called "a monster hit," began an open-ended run at the Theatre des Arts at Paris Las Vegas January 21 with an innovative production performed completely in English.
Make no mistake about it - this is not "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." This sensual post-modern pop/rock adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic story brings to the Las Vegas stage the captivating romance the way it was originally conceived. There are so many unforgettable songs in the show that is difficult to decide which one to hum while leaving the theatre. The lyrics tell the story with wit, poetry and bravado. The talented international cast of 50 singer and dancers were selected for their raw vocal and physical abilities, from more than 1,000 candidates, who auditioned in seven U.S. cities.
Notre Dame de Paris is of epic proportion. The musical spectacular overflows with vibrant, acrobatic choreography, trend-setting costumes and stunning stagecraft. But what really explodes across the stage and spills over into the audience is a dramatic plot that never stops gripping, from the first moment to the last. The "tale of lust and love so true" comes alive as the timeless story unfolds in 21st century style.
An innocent, desirable young woman. Protected by a man of the people. Prized by a man of conquest. Coveted by a man of authority. Loved by a man of purity. In conflict with a jealous and dangerous rival.
For the audience, the experience is intense, exciting and ultimately joyful and uplifting.
Notre Dame de Paris is the award winning creation of French-Canadian author and lyricist Luc Plamondon and French-Italian composer Richard Cocciante. French-Canadian director Gilles Maheu created the staging. The musical spectacular's remarkable journey to an American premiere in Las Vegas began in Paris, France in the fall of 1998. Within less than one year after it opened at the Palais des Congres, it became the most successful musical in French history, selling more than two million tickets and seven million CD's in France and Europe. Thinking of the world market, Mr. Plamondon and Notre Dame de Paris French producer Charles Talar invited Grammy and Oscar-winning songwriter Will Jennings to adapt the lyrics to English.
Meanwhile, as the show opened in Paris, the French superstar and Las Vegas legend Line Renaud recommended it to the attention of American producer Wayne Baruch. Mr. Baruch invited Joseph Rascoff of RZO Productions, Inc. to co-produce with him, and together they secured the U.S. rights to Notre Dame de Paris from Charles Talar. Thus, Baruch, RZO productions, Inc. and Line Renaud present the Las Vegas production at Paris Las Vegas, by special arrangement with Charles Talar and Victor Bosch.
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ACT ONE
The Age Of The Cathedrals:
Paris, 1482. Our narrator, the poet Gringoire (Deven May), sets the stage for the story. He tells of the beginning of the age of cathedrals, when man reached for heaven by building the highest towers ever built.
The Refugees:
A motley band of disgruntled immigrants have gathered outside Notre Dame Cathedral to ask for shelter and asylum. There leader Clopin (David Jennings) speaks for them. Claude Frollo (Francis Ruiviar), the archbishop of Notre Dame orders Phoebus (Mark W Smith), captain of the kings guards, to chase them away.
The Bohemienne Song:
Esmeralda (Janien Massé), the gypsy dancer, interrupts the confrontation. When Phoebus notices her, she prepares to protect herself with a knife sheathed on her thigh. When he asks where she is from, she charms him with a song of her wandering, exotic past.
Esmeralda You Know:
As long as she can remember, Esmeralda has been guided and protected by her un-official guardian, Clopin. Now he warns her that she is no longer a child and that she must be aware of the deceitfulness of men.
So Look No More For Love:
Phoebus and Esmeralda are drawn to each other, but then the soldier turns to his fiancee Fleur-de-Lys (Jessica Grové), a young woman of noble heritage.
The Feast Of Fools:
A crowd gathers for a wild, uninhibited celebration. Gringoire presides over the main event - whoever can make the most repulsive face will be elected the King of Fools.
The King of Fools:
Quasimodo (Doug Storm), the reclusive cathedral bell-ringer, is drawn out by the excitement. He has only to appear, to be elected as most repulsive by the throng. Good-naturedly he accepts the mocking honor, but still he bemoans his lonely life without love.
The Sorceress:
Frollo appears at the height of Quasimodo’s reverie, and angrily rips off the pathetic crown. Frollo’s fascination with Esmeralda is already apparent as he instructs Quasimodo to abduct the gypsy the following night and bring her to the Cathedral.
The Foundling:
Quasimodo cannot refuse Frollo, who fund him abandoned as an infant in front of Notre Dame, and who (Quasimodo thinks) has lovingly raised him like a son.
The Gates of Paris:
At midnight, the gates of Paris are closed for the protection of the citizens. We follow out narrator Gringoire though this night of mystery.
The Kidnap Attempt:
Quasimodo obediently attempts to kidnap Esmeralda. Not knowing that Quasimodo is following Frollo’s orders, Phoebus intervenes with his soldiers and arrests the bellringer. Phoebus seizes the moment to arrange a rendezvous with Esmeralda for the following evening. Hidden in the shadows, Frollo sees his plan unfolding.
The Court of the Miracles:
Esmeralda seeks refuge at the "Court of the Miracles," a secret hideout where the misfits of society show their true colors. Fascinated, Gringoire follows her. The immigrant leader, Clopin, pronounces a mock death sentence on Gringoire for high crimes of trespassing and writing poetry. Only marriage can save him from being hung. Esmeralda plays along and agrees to become his wife - but not his bedmate.
The Word Phoebus:
Alone with her at last, Gringoire proudly introduces himself to Esmerlada, but she is more interested to learn about the dashing captain Phoebus who rescued her from Quasimodo. His feelings hurt, Gringoire explains to her that the Latin word "Phoebus" means "sun."
Shining like the Sun:
The smitten Esmeralda and the still native Fleur~de~Lys each dream of the love, Phoebus.
Torn Apart:
Phoebus tells his soldiers he is torn between two women - one for the day and one for the night. One to satisfy his passion, and one to be his for life.
Water, Please:
As punishment for having tried to abduct Esmeralda, Quasimodo is publicly chained to a wheel. Humiliated and exhausted, he asks for a drink. Esmeralda brings him water, and Quasimodo is transformed by this gesture of love.
Belle:
Each lost in his own thoughts, Quasimodo, Frollo and Phoebus sing a trio of desire for Esmeralda.
Home in the Sky:
Released from the wheel, Quasimodo warily approaches Esmeralda and leads her by the hand to the Cathedral, whose power and sanctuary she feels as she enters for the first time.
The Pagan Ave Maria:
Moved by the spirituality for the great Cathedral, Esmeralda prays for sanctuary from the cold world.
Your Love Will Kill Me:
Frollo, observing the girl as she prays, is overwhelmed by his passion and obsession for Esmeralda.
The Shadow:
Phoebus heads though the nights to his fateful rendezvous with Esmeralda, even as the jealous Frollo attempts to frighten him off.
At the Val D’Amour:
Gringoire sings about the notorious brothel where, as we see, you an "just pay the price and love is yours." Phoebus arrives, and then Esmeralda, nervous in the strange surroundings.
The Voluptuary:
In a bedroom, as she readies herself for Phoebus, Esmeralda puts her knife on the floor. As they begin to embrace, Frollo enters secretly, finds the knife and stabs Phoebus in the back, then disappears.
Destiny:
Gringoire sings of Fate, mistress of all our destines.
ACT TWO
The Bells:
Unbeknownst to Quasimodo, Esmeralda has been wrongly imprisoned for the attack of Phoebus. Driven to despair by her disappearance, Quasimodo refuses to ring his beloved bells of Notre Dame.
Where Is She?:
Quasimodo is not the only one who worries about the missing Esmeralda. Clopin and Frollo both question her poet husband Gringoire about her whereabouts.
The Birds they put in Cages:
Esmeralda calls for Quasimodo to free her. Meanwhile Quasimodo is looking for her everywhere.
Cast Away:
In a police raid, Clopin and his band of foreigners are also arrested and imprisoned.
The Trial:
On Trial, Esmeralda is accused of having bewitched and attacked Phoebus. Even under torture, she will swear only to that she loves him. Unable to shatter her love, Frollo condemns her to death.
Phoebus If You Can Hear Me:
In her cell, Esmeralda rejoices that her brave Phoebus is still alive. (She thought he was dead.) She calls for him to come and save her.
To Get Back to You:
Recovered from his wounds, Phoebus pleads for his fiancee’s forgiveness, claiming that he was bewitched by Esmeralda. Little does he know that his own leader, Frollo, is the one who really stabbed him.
My Heart If You Will Swear:
Fleur-de-Lys coldly tells Phoebus that she knows of the indiscretions of his soul. She will forgive him only if he destroys her rival . . . Esmeralda.
Frollo’s Visit to Esmeralda:
On the eve of her execution, Frollo visits the gypsy with the pretext of giving her last rites. He admits his love for her and offers a pact - if she will give herself to him just once, he will free her to return to her carefree life.
One Bright Morning:
Esmeralda tells Frollo she would rather die then give herself to him. She is sure that Phoebus will rescue her. Unable to resist his longings for another minutes, Frollo throws himself on her. Quasimodo, who had followed Frollo, breaks into the prison and frees Esmeralda and the refugees. He leads all of them though the night to Notre Dame, where he offers them sanctuary. For her own safety, he hides Esmeralda in the corner of a tower.
Moon:
As Quasimodo stands guard over Esmeralda, the poet Gringoire poetically gives words to the bellringers hopes and dreams.
God You Made The World All Wrong:
Quasimodo sings of the pain of his afflictions.
Live For The One I Love:
Esmeralda, awakening, walks Notre Dame’s parapets under the stars. She sings of her destiny, which is to live or die for love.
The Attack on Notre Dame:
Vengefully, Frollo orders Phoebus to violate the rights to asylum and drive the immigrants for the Cathedral. Clopin is killed in the onslaught. Dying, he asks Esmeralda to keep up the fight. Risking her life if she is recaptured, she confronts Phoebus.
By Royal Law:
Phoebus delivers to Esmeralda the edict of her condemnation and carries out Frollo’s order to deport the immigrants. Esmeralda is taken to the place of execution. A satisfied Fleur-de-Lys comes to claim her man!
My master, My saviour:
From the Cathedral tower, Frollo watches Esmeralda’s hanging. Searching for the gypsy frantically himself, Quasimodo hears the cynical laugh laugh of Frollo and sees Esmeralda’s lifeless form on the gallows. Enraged and betrayed, the hunchback strangles the priest and throws him over the parapet.
Dance My Esmeralda:
Quasimodo demands Esmeralda’s body. Stricken with grief, he collapses pleasing to join her in the next life
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