Notre Dame de Paris

After he signed with Columbia/Sony, Steve was asked to perform the role of Phoebus, the handsome Captain who is torn between two very different women who both love him, Fleur de Lys, and the Gypsy Esmeralda, in the UK production of the French hit musical, "Notre Dame de Paris".

The musical is based on the book by Victor Hugo, "The Hunchback on Notre Dame". It tells the story of how various characters fall in love with the wrong people, often for the wrong reasons, As an overview:

Quasimodo - truly in love with Esmeralda, but disfigured and ugly so his love is unrequited
Phoebus -engaged to marry Fleur de Lys, but he is overwhelmed by the lust that is stirred within him by the Gypsy Esmeralda
Esmeralda - beautiful and exotic, she not only elevates desires in Quasimodo and Phoebus, but even Frollo the Priest finds madness in the lust he has for her

It is quite a sad tale which features some beautiful songs.

The version that Steve performed in was the UK premiere, which was at The Dominion Theatre. Prior to its May opening in London's West End, Steve and the English cast performed at MIDEM in Cannes, in 2000. Steve also performed on the English cast recordings of these (pictured below). Others vocalists in addition to Steve on the CD and in the show include:

Celine Dion (special guest)
Bruno Pelletier
Luck Mervil
Tina Arena
Garou
Daniel Lavoie
Natasha St-Pierre

Please note that there was a time during the shows at The Dominion while Steve was in the role of Phoebus that the role of Esmeralda was played by Patti Russo.

The track listing of the CD is:

LIVE FOR THE ONE I LOVE
THE AGE OF THE CATHEDRALS
THE REFUGEES
THE BOHEMIENNE SONG
BELLE (IS THE ONLY WORD) - this was released as a single in France and features Garou, Daniel Lavoie and Steve Balsamo - look for the Version Anglaise with the same cover art as the album - see below for image
MY HEART IF YOU WILL SWEAR
TORN APART - this song also features Steve on vocals
THE BELLS
THE PAGAN AVE MARIA - Steve said in an interview that this was probably his favourite song from the show - features Tina Arena on vocals
YOUR LOVE WILL KILL ME
MOON
GOD YOU MADE THE WORLD ALL WRONG
I'M A PRIEST
THE BIRDS THEY PUT IN CAGES
CAST AWAY
LIVE FOR THE ONE I LOVE
DANCE MY ESMERALDA

The original lyrics are by Luc Plamondon with music by Richard Cocciante. The English lyrics are by Will Jennings.

You Tube Videos of Notre Dame de Paris

Footage of Garou, Daniel Lavoie, and Steve Balsamo performing "Belle" on French TV
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCjfB_fA2gA

Footage is of a short French TV promo which includes Tina Arena, Luck Mervil, Steve Balsamo
Link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzAabdlI3gI

Footage is from French TV promo footage, which includes Bruno Pelletier and various members of both the French and English casts
Link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0Ux-5jVf-0

Of related interest, Jonatan Cerrada (who has performed several songs by Steve Balsamo and Ben "Jammin" Robbins) is shown here performing "Belle" with Jean-Sebastien and Thierry Amiel
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-cz-8J6BbU

Discography and Collectables - NDDP English Version

Please note that these images are not shown true to size! On occasion we have left some images a larger size so you can see a bit more of what is written on the cover to help you distinguish it from other items.

	The rare "Belle (Is the only Word)" Version Anglaise single, released in France, which features Garou, Daniel Lavoie, and Steve Balsamo. The second track on the single is "Cast Away" by Luck Mervil
Reverse side of the promo sampler which contains 8 tracks including "Belle" and "Torn Apart"
	Notre Dame de Paris Cassette (French)
Notre Dame de Paris on Mini-Disc
	Notre Dame de Paris Official UK Photo Programme book (large, made of heavyweight stock and features many wonderful photos from the show.
Programme from the show, with Steve as Phoebus and Tina Arena as Esmeralda - this is of a much smaller size than the photo programme, is on lighter weight stock, and does not have photos from the show as the photo programme does.
	Shown at the left is the programme book from Notre Dame de Paris featuring Steve in the role of Phoebus and Patti Russo in the role of Esmeralda. It is very similar to the programme shown above in size and content and it does not feature the photos from the show that the larger photo programme does, but it does include a nice biography of Patti.
Notre Dame de Paris promo video in its box, which includes an interview with Steve on The London Eye!
	Sony 2000.6 Sampler 2 disc promotional compilation from Taiwan which includes Belle from Notre Dame de Paris
Rare Notre Dame de Paris 2 disc Japanese promo, with one disc performed in French (French cast with Noa as Esmeralda - 16 tracks) and another disc which includes the English cast version (17 tracks, with versions of "Live for the One I Love" by both Celine Dion and Tina Arena)
	Shown at left is the English disc of the 2 disc Japanese promo described above.
Shown at right is a Notre Dame de Paris keyring
	Shown at left is a Notre Dame de Paris neckchain
Shown at right - Notre Dame de Paris pin
Not shown: Theatre posters and MIDEM 2000 Press Kit. The press kit includes a copy of the CD with 8 tracks from the show, a set of black and white glossy promo photos, MIDEM press releases in both English and French, and an invitation to the Notre Dame de Paris MIDEM cocktail party. Simply fantastic and highly desirable by completist fans of the cast members.