2017: The Hunchback of Notre Dame
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as remarkable new songs and music and is the only stage collaboration between two legendary masters of American musical theatre, Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) and Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin).
North’s premiere production featured a cast, crew, and orchestra of more than 100 students as well an elaborate set depicting 15th century Paris, including a set of custom made cathedral bells, stunning special effects, and breathtaking original costumes. This daring and moving production sets the classic tale of love, vengeance, and compassion to one of the most sweeping scores ever written for the stage.
“We are so incredibly honored to be able to present the Wisconsin premiere of this new musical,” said Ron Parker, director. There have only been a handful of professional productions performed in the United States. In fact, North was given rights to the show before it was even officially released to amateur groups! It is an amazing opportunity to bring this incredible work to our state. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of the most powerful and meaningful musicals ever created for the theatre. Besides the amazing music and captivating staging, its message of love over hate, courage over fear, and the acceptance of those who are different than ourselves makes this truly a musical for our times.”
Parker also relates that though the musical is based on an animated classic, it is quite different from other Disney films adapted for the stage. “Unlike other Disney musicals North has done such as Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a much more mature work. It follows more closely the original novel by writer Victor Hugo than the 1996 animated version. In fact, it has a lot in common with another great Broadway musical based on a Hugo story, Les Miserables, in its depth and darker tone. Peter Parnell’s new book actually features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel. As a result, the musical is not recommended for children under 10.”
The story begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be "Out There," observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious and hypocritical caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and the secretly impious Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the gypsies – and it’s up to the maligned and mistreated hunchback, Quasimodo, to try and save them all.