she was The Real story Behind the hunchback & notre dame
The events that occurred in Victor Hugo's classic tale—the celebration, the deception, the murder—all had a single common thread: Esmeralda. She was a ravishing young Gypsy girl living a vagabond life as a prostitute. Taunted, despised and even envied by fellow Parisians, her services were lusted after by the wealthy and powerful with obsessive fervor.
When Esmeralda encounters another Paris outcast, Sister Gudule, she recognizes the red baby's boot coveted by the old woman. She realizes the senile woman is her long lost mother. Gudule blames the Gypsy for kidnapping and murdering her baby daughter so many years ago and accuses her of witchcraft. The evil Archdeacon, Dom Claude Frollo, sends his adopted son, Quasimodo, the Hunchback, to kidnap the Gypsy to stand trial and receive punishment. Frollo becomes obsessed with Esmeralda and demands she become his concubine. When she refuses him, this sets in motion a series of events that shatters the norms of this imperial city as Esmeralda becomes both the provocateur and victim to it all.
Esmeralda the Musical captures the milieu of the times in spectacular fashion. The inventive set design, delightful, decadent costumes, jaw-dropping special theatrical effects and, of course, the MUSIC. With contemporary styles mixed with traditional big show anthems, the music in Esmeralda will captivate audiences of all ages. A classic tale of love, deception and vindication, Esmeralda is a theatrical experience that will appeal to a world-wide audience. Enjoy.
*Many of the songs and much of the Libretto for Esmeralda was written during my residency at Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts just outside Saratoga, Wyoming. During my two-week artists residency I was provided with a private music studio, complete freedom to write and create 24-hours a day and all the wonderful amenities Brush Creek had to offer. Esmeralda is the result of that incredible opportunity. It was the single most creative two weeks I have ever spent in my life. Thank you Brush Creek Foundation for the Arts.
First table reading of "Esmeralda" at Static Shack Studios, Indianapolis, Indiana, February 4th. What an excellent group of talent.
Watch excerpts from the table reading of "ESMERALDA." Our new musical is a multi-media presentation of this classic tale but taking the Woman's point-of-view. A story of Love, Deception and Vindication, "ESMERALDA" is theatrical experience that will appeal to a worldwide audience.
January 2019. Sophia Joelle as Esmeralda and Teresa Giles-Kelly as her long-lost mother Guludé singing the duet “It’s Our Time Now.”
Sophia Joelle (Esmeralda) and Ray Hutchins (Phoebus) sing “Let’s Take The Fall.”
Ray Hutchins (Phoebus) belts out his lyrics to “Let’s Take The Fall”
