The musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame opened at the beautiful Baughman Theater at Jackson College’s Potter Center last night and proved to be up to the challenge for Center Stage Jackson’s large spring musical. Director Michael Cicirelli does a terrific job of keeping the (very large) musical moving and gives it a top notch shape and form. Vocal Director Andi Wynn-Chatfield and Musical Director/Conductor Dale Hendershot III send the vocals and orchestrations soaring. Choreographer Rachel Francisco creates colorful and fun musical numbers.
Based on the novel as well as the Disney Film, the show features a script by Peter Parnell, Music by Alan Menken, and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. At some point Disney decided the show was a bit dark for its tastes and removed their name from the title. Originally produced at Papermill Playhouse on the east coast, Disney never moved the show to Broadway because of its dark themes, but that gave it a tremendous life in regional, community, and college theaters. Fortunately for us, the production at Center Stage Jackson hits the right notes. It’s a true ensemble show where everyone plays a part (sometimes multiple parts) including a large side stage vocal ensemble. The downside is that a show of this size sometimes needs to tell rather than show, so listen carefully to the lyrics. This isn’t a show where you can let your attention stray for awhile. (Also, it is based on but very much not like the Disney film, so leave the wee ones at home).
There’s a saying in community theater that you “use what you get” – that is, your casting is dependent on who shows up for auditions. Everyone is a volunteer, and talent levels vary from show to show. Luckily, Hunchback has a stunning lead performance by Diego Febres-Cordero as Frollo, the Christian Clergyman currently promoted to lead Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral. After the death of his less-than-religious brother (Tori Bruce) he becomes caretaker of his baby Quasimodo (semi-formed) who is a deformed cripple and hunchback. Hidden away in the belfry, Quasimodo (Jesse Gerrild) is surrounded by his imaginary friends (the gargoyles and statues of the cathedral) and his life becomes intertwined with that of a mysterious gypsy woman Esmerelda (Isabell Frey), and captain of the guard Phoebus (Doug Hutt), after he wanders out into the city to observe the annual “Feast of Fools” — when gypsys and other provincials are permitted into the walled city for one day to celebrate. What follows is high drama and does not follow the happy ending Disney movie but stays true to the novel. Keep in mind Victor Hugo also wrote Les Miserables, and the tone here is closer to that than anything Disney. (Historically, Hugo’s novel is credited with saving the actual cathedral and funding its restoration).
Some performers are stronger than others, but the production as a whole is well worth checking out. Set Design, Lighting, Costumes, Props, and Makeup are great. Sound cues were often late, especially in the large ensemble numbers on opening night though I suspect this will quickly resolve as everything clicks into place over the two week run.
But what really makes Hunchback stand out from the crowd is the outstanding musical score – with its ballads, liturgical passages, solos, duets, and soaring choral passages you’ll be swept along with the shows characters in a production that builds and builds to its (inevitable) conclusion. Be warned that the show contains themes of inclusion, love, caring…but it also includes themes of religious fervor, assault, excommunication, fear, and political intolerance. Sound like anything we know?
Recommended for adults and teenagers. Not for children.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame continues at Center Stage Jackson through June 29th. Tickets at centerstagejackson.org
Mostly Musical Theatre 
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