MCT is pleased to announce its upcoming production of the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The show opens on November 2, 2018 and plays Friday and Saturday evenings with Sunday matinees through Sunday, November 11, 2018 at the Shannondell Performing Arts Theater, 10000 Shannondell Drive in Audubon, PA.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is based on the Victor Hugo novel and includes songs from the Disney animated feature. It showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score as well as new songs by Alan Menken and Steven Schwartz. Peter Parnell’s new book features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel. This adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame uses the age-old convention of “Story Theatre,” a theatrical device in which an ensemble of storytellers not only narrates the story but also takes on various roles.
The love story of the beautiful gypsy girl Esmeralda, the scorned bell-ringer Quasimodo, the dashing Captain Phoebus and the story’s antagonist, Dom Claude Frollo comes to glorious life in this powerful rendition of the timeless tale. The bold and dramatic theatrics, combined with the music’s orchestral power and choral beauty provided by a twenty-nine member on-stage choir that accompanies the cast, promise to transport audiences back to fifteenth century Paris and inside the cathedral walls made famous by Victor Hugo’s novel.
Producers of the show are Michelle Miller, Loretta Rurode and Kristen Bailey. The show is directed by Deb Schrager and assistant directed by Tom Wexler. The musical team of Brian Shapella (Music Director), Emily Erb and Erin Toscani (Choral Directors) and Raquel Garcia (Orchestra Director) bring this gorgeous music to life. The dancers are lead by choreographer Sally Rothschild. Lights by Michael Addice and Dean Soltes and sound by Don Otto and Jaedto Smith take care of all the technical challenges of a large set with both a cast and a choir. The set design and decoration are done by Harvey Perelman and MaryBeth Richmond and brings Notre Dame Cathedral to the theater stage. Sue Carney and Elisabeth Majewski designed and created the costumes for the show. Ilene Perelman handled props and photography was provided by Don Otto.
Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of the Notre Dame Cathedral, played by Matthew Bartolotta, has spent his life locked in a tower by his guardian, archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, played by Michael Spaziani. Longing to be with other people, Quasimodo escapes to spend one day ‘out there,’ which leads to his chance encounter with the enchanting gypsy, Esmeralda, played by Kathleen Tamasi. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though. The handsome Captain Phoebus, played by veteran MCT actor Brett Kahn, and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention and Frollo attempts to destroy the gypsies, powerful forces propel each of them toward their fate, be it malevolent, graceful, loving, or heroic.
The clever and charismatic King of the Gypsies, Clopin, is played by Shohom Basuthakur. As the master of ceremonies for the Feast of Fools, he is witty and playful, and the leader of a band of gypsies played by dancers, Emma Bartholomew, Olivia Bedell, Alicia Culleton, Mary Beth Gries, Kelly Jusczak, Rebecca Kelley, Lindsay Looloian, Emma Majewski, Lauren McGinnis and Leigha Osborn. This cast also includes the stone gargoyles, who appear to be Quasimodo’s only friends. They are played by Matthew Bookler, Alicia Culleton, Alisa Kahn, Lindsay Looloian, Katie McCool, Michael Radzwilla, Marie Spidale, Judy Winship and Lindsay Zimmerman. The cast is rounded out by Kyle D’Angelo as Frederick, John Klinges as Father Dupin, Lauren McGinnis as Florika, Ken Olin as King Louis, Michael Radzwilla as Jehan, Stephanie Weidner as Madam and Judy Winship as St. Aphrodisius. Ensemble members are Tiara Campbell, Rita Lidsky, Lisa McBrearty, Alexandra Ortiz and Andrew Shepard.
Performance dates are: November 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th at 7:30 p.m and November 4th and 11th at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $18 with a discounted price of $15 for seniors 62+ and children under 12 and can be bought at the door or online at theatermct.org.
All parking for the theater is in the Giant Supermarket parking lot across the street from the Shannondell entrance on Egypt Road in Audubon. A free shuttle bus is provided to bring you directly to the theater. The theater is handicap accessible. Call MCT at 610-489-6449 for further information.
Photo by Don Otto
Theater/Organization MCT
Theater/Organization Website: https://www.methactoncommunitytheater.org/
Theater/Organization Address: PO Box 26144 Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426 (Map It)
Theater/Organization Phone: (610) 489-6449
