An Interview with Gian Marco Schiaretti of Notre Dame de Paris
Gian Marco Schiaretti is an Italian born actor and singer who has brought New York City audiences to tears and standing ovations since the opening of Notre Dame de Paris on July 13th. It’s being performed at Lincoln Center’s David Koch Theater until July 24th. In the show’s twenty five year history, this is the first time that it is being performed in New York City. We had the good fortune to catch up with Gian Marco Schiaretti on the phone to discuss playing the role of Gringoire, working alongside Daniel Lavoie, and if he sings Harry Styles songs at karaoke.
Notre Dame de Paris, based on the Victor Hugo novel, is a worldwide sensation. It’s been translated into nine different languages so that over 10 million people across 23 countries could enjoy the passion packed musical performance. Finally, it’s made its way to New York City where it has never been performed before. Opening night was full of hundreds of teary eyed, excited fans who talked hurriedly during intermission about how this was the performance of a lifetime. The entire cast sang and performed with gut wrenching believability, which is no surprise as all have a plethora of shining achievements under their belts. While the actors might have felt that performing in New York City was the honor of a lifetime, it seemed that the entirety of the audience felt very much that the honor was their own for finally getting to see Notre Dame de Paris in person. In particular, there was a buzzing about the enormous talent of Gian Marco Schiaretti who plays the role of Gringoire, a poet and bard. Gringoire is the guide for the audience, belting out narration after narration regarding the trials and tribulations of the characters all trying to co-exist in medieval Paris near the church of Notre Dame. He makes the passionate love triangle feud surrounding the beautiful gypsy girl, Esmeralda, utterly palpable.
Stephanie: Hi Gian! How are you feeling! How’s New York City treating you?
Gian: Amazing! I actually have two days off so I’m just going to use that to explore and discover all that the city has to offer. I’m going to see Moulin Rouge tonight and maybe one more show tomorrow.
Gian is going to take on the role of the Duke de Monroth in Moulin Rouge when the show opens in Germany.
Stephanie: Oh my God! I went three times to see Moulin Rouge! You’re going to love it!
Gian: I’m actually going to be in the play in Germany when it opens up. So I’m very excited to see how it goes.
Stephanie: Amazing, I actually remember reading about that! A huge congratulations to you! Is this your first time in New York City? Have you ever been?
Gian: This is actually my first time! So I’m super excited to be here.
Stephanie: We’re excited to have you! So, people are going absolutely nuts over Notre Dame de Paris. I have to say, in my experience people will see any show on Broadway maybe once. Like they’ll go see Hamilton one time and then that’s it because tickets are expensive and our time is so limited. If someone does go to the theater often, I think a lot of people would rather see two different shows as opposed to the same show over and over. But honestly, I keep reading that people are getting tickets for Notre Dame de Paris a second and third time, even. Why do you think people are so in love with the show? Like, to the point that they’re going multiple times in a week to see it?
Gian: I think because there’s a long time between the show returning to each city or place. People see the show, enjoy it, and look forward to it returning someday. I do believe people like the combination of the music and passion on stage. The message of the show is pretty actual…it’s current and modern even if it’s a 25 year old show. There’s definitely a special relationship between the actors and the audience for this show.
Stephanie: Are you surprised at how much people love the show? I mean to come to NYC and become a sensation from pretty much day one is the ultimate actor’s dream and you’ve attained it. What does that feel like?
Gian: It was a lot of pressure. We were really nervous, you know we’ve tapped into a field that’s not ours by performing here. This is not the most common show you’d expect, it’s not a Broadway show or a main stay, it’s completely different. We were all waiting for a reaction, waiting to see how the audience would react at the end. Seeing people happy and hearing the screaming at the end… it was the best gift honestly. And then every night, we’re having the same kind of reaction and it’s so wonderful. You’re asking yourself why are we here for only two weeks!? To present such a big show to a variety of types of people in the audience is what makes the experience magic to me.
Stephanie: During intermission all anybody could talk about was how incredible, how heartfelt you are in the role. It honestly feels like the role was made for you. How did you land the role as Gringoire? Was it a role you’ve always wanted?
Gringoire is the show’s narrator, essentially. He’s a renowned poet and bard of Paris and he also finds himself ‘married’ to Esmeralda, who is a gypsy. Marrying her is his only alternative to being hanged by the gypsies for trespassing in their camp.
Gian: My connection is that it’s a long journey. Notre Dame de Paris is the first show that I watched when I was 13, together with the Phantom of the Opera. It’s what made me fall in love with this business. I was already dreaming at 13 years old about how I need to be on stage performing with this show [Notre Dame de Paris.] So it happened that in 2019 I was playing Phoebus, with the possibility to switch to the Gringoire role. I was asked, “how about you start playing your dream role in New York?”
I always love to be a bit of story teller, storytellers are characters that I create a deep connection with and have empathy for. It’s so fantastic to open the show. I know there’s also a lot of responsibility with that. The Age of the Cathedrals is such an iconic song to open with its unbelievable, it’s so lovely to be on stage singing it, while showing all my connections to my character of Gringoire and the characters around me. It’s not a standard role, you can play it so many ways, you can use so many different emotions, you can even use your personal feelings that you’re having.
Stephanie: I do have to stop and say that it feels like an honor just to have watched you perform that role. It was an amazing opportunity to see you as Gringoire. To be in the room where that magic was happening feels like I saw a rare, amazing moment in history. I want to thank you for sharing your talent with all of us in the audience because it’s something we’ll remember for the rest of our lives. I don’t think I’ve stopped talking about it.
Gian: Thank you, really, that’s so kind.
Stephanie: I think a lot of the reason, at least to me, why people enjoy watching you is because it’s so easy to believe that you are Gringoire. You bring so much life to the role. What do you do to get into character?
Gian: Well, not to get too romantic…
Stephanie: Please do.
Gian: It’s a big part of my soul. I love art. I love reading. I love books. I love novels. I spend a lot of time in my thoughts and writing things down. I have a kind of dreamy side that always comes out. The song Lune in the second act is something that drains me because everything comes out of myself. I’m trying to get the audience to understand the love that Quasimodo has for Esmeralda will never be taken for serious. The song touches me as a person first. I can’t just go on stage and sing it, I want to give all of myself.
Despite Esmeralda being semi-married to Gringoire, a plethora of male characters in the show are utterly obsessed with her. Frollo (Notre Dame’s priest), Quasimodo (the hunchback who lives under Frollo’s care) and Phoebus (a soldier for the king who is already engaged) are all consumed by the thought of sleeping with Esmeralda.
Stephanie: So is that your favorite song from the show then, Lune? Or are there others?
Gian: Lune for sure. Then in the beginning of the second act, there’s this dialogue where I’m talking about art together with Frollo. It’s a lovely song to sing, beautiful dialogue and conversation. My last moment before the end of the show when we sing about the attack of Notre Dame, when they [the gypsies] are assaulting the church. My words are like a statement when I say, the world is going to change, there’s going to be a thousand more, then ten thousand more, then a million and and they’re going to continue ask you for asylum.
A continuous conflict in the play is that the ‘native’ citizens of Paris don’t like having to share a city with gypsies whose customs and religion is different from their own. The gypsies, many of whom were born in Paris, want to be granted asylum and to live in peaceful coexistence, but are constantly “othered.”
Stephanie: That’s actually something we talked about after the show. That message is so relevant — this constant “othering” and xenophobic reaction of people who are immigrants to a country or people who are refugees seeking asylum. Nothing changes.
Gian: Yes, exactly.
Stephanie: Speaking about your duet with Frollo…What is it like singing alongside Daniel Lavoie who plays Frollo in the show? He was the original Frollo years ago and has been doing this awhile. Is it intimidating? Or is it a blast?
Gian: It’s pure fun, an amazing experience. Daniel is such a lovely person. We have a wonderful relationship! Even backstage in normal life, we go out together, we go out for dinner. He’s a real master. We spoke a lot about the show and the songs that we would be singing together. He gave me tips that changed the mood and direction of the song. I feel blessed.
Stephanie: Piggy backing on the way I absolutely butchered the pronunciation of Daniel’s last name, you speak, what… Italian…English…do you speak French or just sing in it?
Gian: Well, I’d hope I speak Italian
Stephanie: Right, right, being born in Italy and all.
Gian: I actually speak Italian, English, I do speak French, German and a little bit of Dutch.
Gian spoke Italian and French in school. The other languages he learned by working in a variety of countries as an actor and singer. He loves learning new languages and casually and dreamily remarks about being a citizen of the world.
Stephanie: So, here’s a really tough question. Do you sing karaoke? What do you sing for fun?
Gian: Anything from Phantom of the Opera! Classic songs — that’s my story. I’d love to play a role in Phantom one day. I’m so happy where I am now, but one day maybe Phantom.
Stephanie: So you never get the urge to sing Lizzo or Harry Styles?
Gian: Maybe, sometimes! But given the choice, I like to stick to the classics.
Stephanie: So, first time in New York City! Have you gotten to do anything fun? Eaten anywhere good?
Gian: I had a very good steak which I was really looking forward to. Since I’m here in New York I want to try to experience local foods. That’s the beauty of New York City, you can really find whatever you want. There’s such a mix of cultures, I already love New York City for that reason.
Stephanie: Where’s the tour going next?
Gian: We are actually going to Canada for our Quebec tour until mid September. We’re really kind of going all over the world. Then we have the 25th anniversary performance in Paris in November 2023. I can’t wait to sing in the place that’s the setting for the show!
