The success at Moonlight Stage Productions continues this time with their production of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame. This retelling of Victor Hugo’s novel about love, passion, and hope has numerous opportunities for you to enjoy as it runs through September 1, 2018.
The production, based on Hugo’s novel as well as the Disney animated film, makes its return to San Diego where it made its North American debut in 2014 at the La Jolla Playhouse. Adapted by James Lapine, it was a hit making a move thereafter to the Paper Mill Playhouse for a limited run. Despite the production not making it to Broadway, it’s now enjoyed by thousands at regional productions across the country.
Featuring the music of Alan Menken with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Peter Parnell, the North American show has seen numerous incarnations. It 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 caretaker, the flawed archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, Quasimodo escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda.
David Burnham (center) as Quasimodo and the company. Photo by Ken Jacques
Moonlight Stage Productions’ version of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame takes the audience on a visually stunning and heart wrenching tale into the streets of Paris. Director Steve Glaudini takes the production and elevates it to a whole new level. The performance takes some dark turns, a departure from the animated film that so many of us are accustom; maintains the heart, levity, and passion of the original.
Glaudini worked to cast a group of actors who purely embody each character and emotion. When you see Quasimodo’s struggle to be a part of the world around him, you really do feel his pain and loneliness. You feel the adoration that encompasses him as he first lays eyes on Esmeralda. From overture to conclusion, the music, the choir, and the actors bring life to an epic story.
Janaya Mahealani Jones (center) as Esmeralda. Photo by Ken Jacques.
Janaya Mahealani Jones (Esmerelda), from the moment she steps on stage, delights the audiences with a voice for the ages as she sings, “Rhythm of the Tambourine” is a delight. The sight of Esmerelda and the first notes she sings takes you into this amazing world. A world of fun, without care—a dancing delight that rings as loud as the Quasimodo’s bells.
David Burnham (Quasimodo) returns to the Moonlight stage. This veteran actor of the theater stage embodies the every element of his character’s existence. Quasimodo demands an actor who delivers the role with a vast array of emotions. The role is not only dripping with passion, it’s a very physical role that Burnham expertly brings to life. Beyond his acting skills, Burnham’s voice, as always, is absolutely amazing.
Richard Bermudez as Clopin Trouillefou (center) and the company. Photo by Adriana Zuniga.
The rest of the talented actors on stage from include the dazzling Richard Bermudez (Clopin), the villainous acting of Lance Arthur Smith (Dom Claude Frollo), and a group of A+ supporting cast bring to life the epic tale.
The music of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is central to this production. Whether it’s the individual vocal performances or the incredible choral singing, Elan McMahan’s musical direction is one of the best that I have seen at Moonlight all season long. The live orchestra pairs perfectly with the talented cast and special effects to deliver a delight for the eyes and ears.
The Company. Photo by Adriana Zuniga.
Stephen Gifford’s stage design from the Actors Theatre Series is pretty epic and huge in scale. From the towering cathedral, to the bells that glide down from the heavens, this set takes you to the heart of Paris in the late 1400s. I love when shows use big sets like this, giving audience goers visually practical views to set the scene.
Projection design from Music Theatre Wichita delivered in amazing ways during the first act, and I’m not really a fan of projection in live shows at all! It added to the grandeur of the story with sweeping views of the city and cathedral. The second act, however, proved to be a bit of a distraction. The use of projection became a bit kitschy and ultimately not necessary to move the story forward.
Jean-Yves Tessier once again is a master at the craft of designing lighting.
Despite the minor issues that I had with second act’s projection, the rest of the show was an absolute thrill. Moonlight Stage Productions takes us to a whole other world and continues to bring success after success to a season that has been one of the best yet.
David Burnham (left) as Quasimodo and Lance Arthur Smith as Dom Claude Frollo. Photo by Ken Jacques Photography
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame Cast
Moonlight Stage announced the The Hunchback Of Notre Dame debuting many new actors along with several favorites making their return for the musical.
An exceptional cast with a mix of Broadway credits and regional theatre experience brings this soaring production to life. David Burnham, last seen at the Moonlight as Prince Eric in 2017’s The Little Mermaid, stars as the tortured bell ringer Quasimodo. Burnham has been seen in the mega hit musical Wicked on Broadway as Fiyero, a role he originated in the developmental workshops of the show. He is also an original cast member of the Broadway production of The Light in the Piazza, appearing on television broadcasts at the Tony Awards and the Live from Lincoln Center telecast.
Taking on the role of the beautiful gypsy girl, Esmeralda, is Janaya Mahealani Jones. She appeared earlier at Moonlight as Lisa in Mamma Mia! and has been seen at other regional companies including Performance Riverside, San Diego Musical Theatre, and Cabrillo Music Theatre.
As the villain Dom Claude Frollo, Paris’ Minister of Justice, is Lance Arthur Smith. Smith is back at the Moonlight after earning raves as Bill Austin in Moonlight’s Mamma Mia! earlier this summer. Regional credits include The Old Globe, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Cygnet, North Coast Repertory Theatre, New Village Arts, San Diego Musical Theatre, and Lamb’s Players Theatre.
Back at the Moonlight after his memorable appearance as Will Bloom in 2015’s Big Fish is Patrick Cummings, playing the gallant Captain Phoebus de Martin. He has appeared in the Broadway and First National Touring Company’s production of Bright Star. Regional credits include Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Paper Mill Playhouse, Pittsburgh CLO, Kansas City Starlight, and Musical Theatre West among others.
Richard Bermudez, San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award winner, returns to the Moonlight as Clopin Trouillefou, the storyteller, leader of the Court of Miracles, and the Festival of Fools. Bermudez has been seen at the Moonlight in starring roles in Aida, Titanic, Les Misérables, and The Pirates of Penzance. He has worked elsewhere including Musical Theatre West, Candlelight Pavilion, Welk Resort Theatre, Performance Riverside, and Starlight Musical Theatre.
Max DeLoach as Jehan Frollo, Erin Li as Florika, Matt Carvin as Father Dupin, Jake Bradford as Lieutenant Fredric Charlus, Scott Arnold as King Louis XI, Gerilyn Brault as Madam, Matthew Todd Malecki as Saint Aphrodisius
Morgan Carberry, Matt Carvin, Carlin Castellano, Patrica Jewell, Johnny Fletcher, Noah Hartwell, Kylie Molinar, Sebastian Montenegro, Tara Shoemaker.
The creative team for The Hunchback Of Notre Dame includes Director Steven Glaudini, Choreographer Roger Castellano, and award-winning Musical Director and Conductor Elan McMahan, Scenery Designer Stephen Gifford, Costume Designer Janet Swenson, Lighting Designer Jean-Yves Tessier, Sound Designer Jim Zadai, Make-up and Prosthetics Designer Denice Paxton, Wigs Designer Peter Herman, Projections Designer Timothy Babb, Costume Coordinators Carlotta Malone, Roslyn Lehman, and Renetta Lloyd, Properties Coordinator Bonnie Durben, and Stage Manager Stanley D. Cohen.
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame: Music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz; Book by Peter Parnell
Ticket Information
Single tickets for Moonlight Stage production of The Hunchback Of Notre Dame range from $17 – $57. There are discounts for Seniors and Students and military. For tickets contact The Moonlight Amphitheatre at 760-724-2110 or visit the Moonlight Stage Productions Ticket Website.
Schedule
- August 15 – September 1, 2018
- Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
- Curtain at 8:00 p.m.
- Tickets: $17 – $57
Location
The Moonlight Amphitheatre is located at 1200 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista, CA 92084
Take the Civic Center Drive and exit off Highway 78, go north. Turn right on E Vista Way. Turn right on Vale Terrace. Continue on Vale Terrace about 1/2 mile and turn left into Brengle Terrace Park.
Parking at Moonlight Amphitheatre
There is free parking available at Brengle Terrace Park. Shuttle service is available for those who end up parking in the upper grass lot. The shuttle will begin running 2.5 hours before the show starts as well as after the show.
For more information and tickets call The Moonlight Amphitheatre at 760-724-2110 or visit The Moonlight Stage Production website.