Opening next week, experience the timeless tale of love as Cabrillo Stage brings the breathtaking musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to life.
Featuring the Disney-animated film’s Academy Award-nominated score, new songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz and Peter Parnell’s book that pulls directly from the novel, this show celebrates the triumph of compassion and the strength of the human spirit.
A full choir sets the scene as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed Paris cathedral. High in his tower, the kind-hearted bell-ringer, Quasimodo observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. He longs to experience life out in the world, but his uncle, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, insists that he must stay hidden because of his physical appearance.
Defying his uncle, Quasimodo escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the compassionate and brave Romani dancer, Esmeralda. However, Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit; Captain Phoebus, fresh from the battlefront and looking to forget the horrors of war, is equally enthralled by Esmeralda.
These three characters, each outcasts in their own way, are thrust into turmoil when Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma people. As Frollo’s anger pushes events toward a fiery conclusion, Quasimodo, Esmeralda and Phoebus must shatter the confines society has trapped them in to help each other.
Under the artistic direction of Andrea L. Hart, the play is directed by Vinh G. Nguyen, choreographed by Brance W. Souza, with musical direction and conducting by Michael J. McGushin.
The cast features performers: Juan Castro as Quasimodo, Kristi Garcia as Esmeralda, David Murphy as Frollo, Omar Alejandro Rodriguez as Phoebus, and Scotts Valley resident Katherine Bonn as Clopin.
Unique to this production is an ensemble of Congregants, who fill every scene as a variety of characters, ushering the show along. This powerhouse ensemble includes performers: Isabella Dunbar, Adonay Gonzalez, Ilana Greenberg, Keegan Grey Hughes, David Hamilton, Paul Alexander Hughes, Mindy Pedlar, Grace Peng, Michelle Vera, Oliver Volk and Thomas Webb.
Joining the cast onstage is a fully realized, 24-person choir, directed by Cheryl Anderson and featuring some of the best singing talent in the area. Rounding out the performance team is a full, live Broadway-style orchestra befitting the sweeping score.
The magnificent set was designed and built by Scenic Designer and Charge Artist Skip Epperson and Technical Director Marcel Tjioe. With expert costume design by Maria Crush, lighting design by Carina Swanberg, sound design by Skyler Kirby, props by Natalie Silva and stage management by Princess Kannah, audiences will be swept away by the magic of this truly unforgettable musical.
Performances are scheduled from July 6-30; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. There is an Opening Night discount on Friday, July 7 (code: TheBells). Post-show discussion with the creative team will take place Sunday, July 9, immediately following the performance.
Cabrillo Stage performs in the Crocker Theatre on the Cabrillo College campus, 6500 Soquel Drive, in Aptos. Box Office is open Thursdays through Saturdays, 12-6pm, and one hour prior to each performance.
For tickets, visit cabrillostage.com or call 831-479-6154.
