The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Moonlight Stage Productions latest production hits the stage tonight. This epic musical is a retelling of Victor Hugo’s novel about love, passion, and hope opens August 15 – September 1, 2018. The show, which made its North American debut in 2014 right here in San Diego, is returning once again to entertain audiences.

Based on the Disney animated film and the Hugo gothic novel, the show first appearing in Germany in 1999 the show adapted by James Lapine was a huge hit. In 2014 it made its way across the pond where it played at the La Jolla Playhouse before moving to the Paper Mill Playhouse for a limited run.

Featuring the music of Alan Menken with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Peter Parnell the North American show has seen numerous incarnations. The show 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 – Wikipedia. Held captive by his devious 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 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 Quasimodo to save them all.

In an effort to be true to Quasimodo’s story, Disney sent a team to Paris to immerse themselves with the locations and culture of the show’s setting.

“Disney sent us on a research trip to Paris, I used to go up to the bell tower in Notre Dame, sit there with a pad of paper, and imagine I was Quasimodo having lived his entire life in that tower and looking out at the city. What would I see from that vantage point in 1482?  How would I feel? By the time I returned from the trip, the song “Out There” was written.”
– Stephen Schwartz

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.

Richard Bermudez (Clopin Trouillefou), Janaya Mahealani Jones (Esmeralda), David Burnham (Quasimodo), Lance Arthur Smith (Dom Claude Frollo), and Patrick Cummings (Captain Phoebus de Martin)

An exceptional cast with a mix of Broadway credits and regional theatre experience will certainly bring 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.

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.