Into the California Sunlight! Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame Will Have Its U.S. Premiere at La Jolla

Do you hear that? Why, it's the bells of Notre Dame tolling away, and Quasimodo is out there and ready to ring, ring, ring! According to Variety, the stage musical adaptation of Disney’s 1996 animated film The Hunchback of Notre Dame will have its U.S. premiere as part of the 2014-15 season at San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse. Directed by Scott Schwartz (yes, he's the very talented son of that Schwartz), the musical is scheduled to run October 28 through December 7. Casting has not yet been announced.

Featuring songs by Oscar and Tony winner Alan Menken and lyrics by Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz, The Hunchback of Notre Dame premiered in Berlin under the name Der Glöckner von Notre Dame and featured direction and an original book by Tony winner James Lapine. However, this new version has a book by Peter Parnell (On a Clear Day You Can See Forever). No word yet on if Disney has plans to take Hunchback to Broadway following its run in California.

The musical is a darker take on Disney’s 1996 film and Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel about Quasimodo, a deformed bellringer at the Notre Dame catherdral, and his unlikely relationship with the gypsy Esmeralda. La Jolla is producing the tuner by special arrangement with Disney Theatrical Productions, which previously teamed with the theater on an early run of Peter and the Starcatcher.

Check out Quasimodo's heartwrenching ballad "Out There" from the animated movie!