The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse

I love the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame and, even though I have seen it many times by now, I always look forward to a new production, especially one that has received rave reviews like the one currently playing at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse. I got to see it last night and it is now among my favorite productions at this theatre! Quasimodo (Jake Haywood) is a physically deformed orphan being raised in isolation in the bell tower of Notre Dame by his hypocritical guardian, Archdeacon Claude Frollo (Blaine Hickman). Desperate to see the outside world, Quasimodo defies Frollo and attends the Feast of Fools where he is attacked by the crowd before he is rescued by the gypsy Esmeralda (Olivia Lusk-Garibay). Frollo, Quasimodo, and Phoebus de Martin (Nicholas Balaich), the Captain of the Cathedral Guard, are all captivated by Esmeralda but Frollo becomes obsessed by his lust for her which eventually leads to a dramatic confrontation in the bell tower. I enjoyed everything about this show starting with the four amazing leads. My favorite song is "God Help the Outcasts" and Lusk-Garibay sings it beautifully with so much pathos. Hickman's version of "Hellfire" is incredibly powerful and dramatic (I also loved the staging). Haywood has an innocent childlike wonder in "Out There" and "Top of the World" but his version of "Heaven's Light" brought tears to my eyes and his palpable anger in "Made of Stone" gave me goosebumps. Balaich shows a bit of vulnerability in the middle of his spirited performance of "Rest and Recreation" and he is impossibly romantic during "Someday" with Lusk-Garibay. I was also very impressed by the sheer size of the ensemble and I loved all of the intricate patterns they create in the choreography for "Olim" (this also gave me goosebumps), "The Bells of Notre Dame," "Topsy Turvy," "The Tavern Song," "Esmeralda," "The Court of Miracles," and "Kyrie Eleison." I also loved the clever staging for some key moments, including having Esmeralda dance tantalizingly out of reach during the aforementioned "Hellfire," the use of a moving staircase when Quasimodo rescues Esmeralda from the pyre, and some ingenious choreography when Quasimodo stops the guard from advancing on the cathedral and when he finally confronts Frollo. The set is incredibly immersive with bricks of stone and a large illuminated rose window (which changes color to reflect the mood) dominating the main stage. Quasimodo's bell tower, complete with ringing bells and a trapdoor, and Frollo's chamber are on platforms located on either side of the stage with moving staircases that connect them (I loved the attention to detail because Gothic arches are used in all of the designs). Finally, the colorful costumes worn by the gypsies add to the spectacle but my favorites were the ones worn by the gargoyles because they are the most elaborate I've seen. I am always nervous when I walk into a theatre with high expectations (there has been a lot of hype for this show) but they were more than met and I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here). There are only three more performances left and tickets are going fast but I guarantee that it is well worth the effort!