The Hunchback of Notre Dame at HCT

I saw the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame for the first time at HCT in 2018 so I was thrilled to see a new production there last night (I was also thrilled to see Josh Richardson and Rebecca Burroughs reprise their roles as Frollo and Esmeralda, respectively). I find the story by Victor Hugo about outcasts who find sanctuary in a Gothic cathedral to be incredibly moving and I loved everything about this version. The cast is absolutely phenomenal! Alex Young is slight in stature so his Quasimodo has a vulnerability that often brought tears to my eyes. I especially loved his versions of "Out There" and "Heaven's Light" because they are full of longing. Richardson is an imposing and powerful Frollo and his performance of "Hellfire" is definitely a highlight of the show, both for his portrayal of Frollo's torment and for the spectacular way that it is staged (the special effects left the audience in awe). Burroughs is a beautiful singer and dancer who is able to portray so many different emotions through song and movement. She is alluring in "The Rhythm of the Tambourine," plaintive in "God Help the Outcasts" (my favorite song in the show), playful in "Top of the World" with Young, and heartbreaking in "Someday" with Ethan Kelso as Phoebus de Martin. Kelso is quite different from most actors I have seen play Phoebus and he is very nuanced in his performance, particularly in "Rest and Recreation" when he remembers the trauma of battle and in "Esmeralda" when he refuses to comply with the order from Frollo. Scotty Fletcher is by far the best Clopin I have ever seen! The character acts as the narrator for the show and appears in practically every scene. He is incredibly energetic and absolutely commands the stage in "The Bells of Notre Dame," Topsy Turvy," "Tavern Song," and "The Court of Miracles." This production features a young girl (Lydia Sandor-Pitcher) who stands in for the audience as Clopin tells the story and their interactions are very poignant.  I really liked this addition because it emphasizes the importance of teaching children to be kind. The set is amazing and it makes watching the show an immersive experience because it feels like you are actually inside the cathedral with statues and gargoyles all around the perimeter of the theatre and Gothic arches that come down from the rafters. A large multi-level bell tower, complete with bells that Quasimodo periodically rings, also comes down from the rafters and elaborate staircases leading to the tower come up from the pit.  Beautiful costumes (Frollo's purple cassock and the headdresses worn by the gargoyles were my favorite) and dramatic lighting add to the spectacle while the lively choreography and clever staging (the aforementioned staging of "Hellfire" is worth the price of admission alone) are very entertaining. This is one of my favorite musicals (I don't think I will ever get tired of seeing it) and I really loved this production. It runs on the Young Living Centre Stage through April 25 and I definitely recommend getting a ticket (go here) but act quickly because most shows have low availability.

Note:  I am always so happy when I see Christian Johnston, a former student of mine, on stage. He is Saint Aphrodisius in this show and I loved his performance of "Flight into Egypt."