The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Victor Hugo’s timeless novel, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, comes roaring to life in this brilliant adaptation. Showcasing the Disney animated film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz, Peter Parnell’s new book pulls directly from the novel to portray the themes of seeing past differences to embrace humanity.
The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. The bell-ringer, Quasimodo, observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Convinced by his uncle and caretaker that he must stay hidden because of his physical appearance, Quasimodo longs to experience life out in the world. Defying his uncle, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the compassionate and brave dancer, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit though – Captain Phoebus, fresh from the battlefront and looking to forget the horrors of war—is equally enthralled by Esmeralda. These three characters, each outcasts in their own way, are thrust into turmoil when Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the “Gypsy” people. As Frollo’s anger rages higher and pushes events toward fiery consequences, Quasimodo, Esmeralda, and Phoebus must shatter the confines society has trapped them in to save each other. A sweeping score and powerful story make “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” an instant classic.
