Three questions with Hunchback's Emma Mize

LWE Junior Emma Mize plays "Madame" in the upcoming LWE production of Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, which plays April 27-29 (tickets available NOW at lwemusic.org) Emma has clearly thought a bit about her character, and recently shared some of that with us.

Is Madame a feminist? Why or why not?

She is 100% a feminist. She is a working woman who holds property, her own tavern, a thing rarely seen in the times of 1482. Not only this, but she also defends her fellow lady, Esmerelda, by sheltering her in her own tavern. Additionally, she fights for her fellow women by defending herself against Frollo, something many other characters in the show are terrified to do.

Is Madam tough or playing tough? Is she ever vulnerable? How do you convey her strength ? How do you project a character so the audience knows who she is and what she is about within a few sentences of dialogue?

I personally believe that Madame is very tough and very confident, but she definitely feigned some courage when speaking to Frollo. You can truly see her vulnerability when Frollo threatens to burn down her tavern, something she has worked her whole life for. While paralyzed for a split second, Madame throws herself in front of the tavern to protect the gypsies inside and boldly defy Archdeacon Frollo’s wishes.

You sing other parts/roles in this musical besides Madame Is there another role or song that is a favorite of yours? If so, what is it , and why?

YES! Two of my favorite solos in the show have to be “And pen the mules” and “It’s his face” in Topsy Turvy. I have made fun of both of those lines on the soundtrack since May of 2017, so it is somewhat surreal to be able to do this on stage. My favorite song would have to be Justice in Paris. This song is one most people tend to skip on the soundtrack, but they are truly missing out on a wonderful tune in the show.

Did you make a backstory for Madam ? Does she know Clopin ? Did she know Florika ?

I’ve made bits and pieces of a backstory for her. I have a daughter in the show, the gypsy girl played by Nicole Zralka, and she rebels against me by running off with Clopin’s troupe of gypsies. While I was already working with most of Clopin’s girls in my own tavern, I now have to entrust Clopin with the protection of my daughter, which is hard for my character because she has a difficult time trusting others as a result of a situation in the past with Florika. She still feels guilty and believes that she did not do enough to stop Florika from running away with Jehan. This is why Madame offers to shelter Esmerelda . My character refuses to stand idly by as she might have in the past, but charges forward, headstrong as ever to defend herself and shelter those she loves.

Well that was four questions already! But we have to know! What’s next for Emma Mize?

While a world without Hunchback seems very distant, the next musical I will be performing in is the Wizard of Oz with the Lincoln-Way Theatre Guild. I will be playing the role of Dorothy! The performances are on July 27th, 28th, and 29th. To find out more you can visit http://www.lincoln-waytheatreguild.com . Thank you so much!

Well before we run off to the land of Oz, let's watch Emma's amazing portrayal of a tough yet vulnerable woman with a beautiful singing voice in the Lincolnway East production of Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, which will run April 27 and 28 at 7pm, April 28 at 1pm, and April 29 at 3pm. Tickets will be $10 at the door one hour before show time, but to choose your own seats and avoid the lines, go to lwemusic.org today!