“The Hunchback of Notre Dame”

[rating=5]It isn’t often that we see a show, and then years later, see it again, and this time love it. Many years ago, on Belmont Avenue in Chicago, there was a theater called Bailiwick. There were some awesome shows done there and Dennis DeYoung’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” was one of them. It was an “okay” production that never got its due worth as the production was underfunded and under produced. Those who listen to my radio show, are familiar with my statement that a play you have seen may change drastically just by having a different venue, a different director, a different choreographer, set designer and of course talent.

This can be better understood by taking the drive up to Milwaukee ( you only have a few days, unless they extend) to see a brilliant version of this show. The theater is one that I have never been in before called The Broadway Theatre Center at 158 N. Broadway. It is a beautiful and comfortable theater with a special intimacy that allows you a clear vision of the stage. The set designed by Adam Koch is quite functional , allowing for quick changes. Michael Unger’s direction is precise and keeps the action moving along and the choreography by Lisa Shriver is perfect for the story.

The story, based on Victor Hugo’s novel, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” taking out a great deal of the history and politics in order to keep the audience’s attention focused. A Baby is left at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. It is a deformed boy that Frollo ( a marvelous performance by Kevin Anderson) raises as his own. He becomes the bell ringer and does odd jobs. He is strong and gentle and because of the bells is almost deaf. This role, Quasimodo in played to perfection by Ben Gulley. Gulley has an enormous vocal range and each time he sings the songs that DeYoung has penned, you will find yourself mesmerized.

When the villagers celebrate “The King of Fools”, and select Quasimodo as their fool, Frollo turns them away and at the same time falls in love with one of the dancers, Esmerelda ( deftly handled by Alanis Sophia). She is seeking love but is in want of a young and handsome Phoebus (Joey Chelius). When she is about to be hung, Quasimodo saves her and is later taken to the town to be beaten. Esmerelda offers him water, and he falls in love with her. The love story and the triangle continue to the end. It is not a happy ending, but one that is fitting and this production is a shining example of the beauty that can be created just by changing location, direction and finding the right people to make it work.

I wish that I had seen it earlier in order to tell more of you how easy the ride to Milwaukee is ( 61 minutes from Northbrook’s Northbrook Court to the parking space in front of the theater at 158 N. Broadway.

The music is very “Styx”- “Ave Maria”, “With Every Heartbeat” ( this ends the first act), “The Confession”, “In MY Silence” and “When I Dance For You” are just a sampling of the glorious score that DeYoung has given us. I truly feel that Chicago needs this production. They deserve this production. If not, maybe the people at Skylight Music Theatre can extend or bring it back so Chicago theater people can take the drive up 94 for 2 1/2 hours of glorious musical theater.

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” will continue thru June 12th with performances:

Thursday  7:30 p.m.

Friday  7″30 p.m.

Saturday  2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday  2 p.m.

For tickets call 414-291-7800 or the box office at 158 N. Broadway. or tickets@skylightmusictheatre.org

For more info on the theater and season, visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org

The Cabot Theatre is located at 158 N. Broadway in the third ward of Milwaukee.