“The Hunchback of Notre Dame”

[rating=5] “For the love of the arts”! Over the years, I have often heard members of many a cast of a show at Music Theater Works ( formerly Light Opera Works), say this. These performers put in many hours of labor , preparing the production that will only be done over two week-ends ( for the most part). Their current production, the largest in their history is only six performances- and it is breath- taking! It is a story of love and redemption! It is a musical version of Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”!

Several years ago, Chicago was witness to a version with Dennis DeYoung. It was good and told the story well, BUT this show is spectacular. The music ( Alan Menken) and lyrics ( Stephen Schwartz), the gentlemen who gave us “Wicked” and “Aladdin” and some of the songs from the Disney movie as well. It is two hours and 28 glorious minutes of theater and a marvelous retelling of the saga with a book by Peter Parnell.

The story takes place in 15th-century Paris. Dom Claude Frollo ( deftly portrayed by Kent Joseph) is the keeper of the cathedral. His brother has a child with a gypsy, who is left in his keeping. The child is ugly and deformed, so he is never to be seen in public and lives his life in the belfry, ringing the bells. In the opening number, we are treated to “The Bells of Notre Dame” where we watch all of this take place as well as meeting Quasimodo ( an outstanding performance by Billy Dawson, who proves to be a Broadway caliber performer from start to finish). Music Theater audiences adore him as does he them.

During a special festival, the Feast of Fools, Quasimoda disobeys the rules of Frollo and heads out to the public square. There he is mocked and taunted by the townspeople and in particular the Gypsies ( who Frollo despised due to his brother’s history), except one. The lovely Esmeralda ( Anna Marie Abbate who is indeed a spell-binder with a vocal range that will amaze you).

The story is about their love as well as Esmeralda’s love for one of the Frollo’s soldiers, Captain de Martin ( solidly played by Erik Dohner).

Smoothly directed by Rudy Hognemiller on a fantastic set and glorious costumes ( rented from Front Row Theatrical) with musical direction by Roger L. Bingaman this show is a true spectacle in every way. A full orchestra making the musical “larger than life” and an ensemble that is terrific in every way, playing invisible “friends” of Quasimoda and townspeople: Lydia Burke, Alex Christ, Taylor DITola, Leon Evans, Jennifer Ledesma, Omar Mulero, Elissa Newcorn, Nicholas Roman, Alexander Rothfield, Rob Schroeder, James Spangler and Jake Stempel. BRAVO!

The other cast members are a choir that is onstage for the entire production. Interestingly one of these members, Leslie Newcorn  who did her first show many years ago with the Light Opera Works, is the mother of newcomer to Music Theater Works, Elissa Newcorn. This must have made for a wonderful experience.

One of the hardest parts of watching this show is knowing of the recent incidents at this historical treasure, but watching this show, we are also filled with the promise and hope that tells us that they will rebuild and bring the magic to future generations as well.

This is a special show. This is a huge production with a solid cast of actors and interesting choreography  (Clayton Cross) and fight choreography  (captained by Anna Marie Abbate and Lydia Burke). Ethan Deppe handled the electronic music design. The lighting is perfect (Andrew H. Meyers) and the sound ( Robert Hornbostel) is perfect as we never miss a word . Hats off to the props designer Jamie Karas for a job well done.

This is a top-notch production with only one failing, the number of opportunities that you have to enjoy the masterful experience . The schedule of performances is:

Today, Sunday August 18th  2 p.m.

Wednesday, 8/22 at 2 p.m.

Friday, 8/23 8 p.m.

Saturday, 8/25 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, 8 /26 at 2 p.m.

The performances take place at Cahn Auditorium ( on the Northwestern campus) at 600 Emerson Street.

Tickets start at $34 and under 25, they are half price. To reserve your chance to see this magnificent production call 847-920-5360 or visit http://www.MusicTheatreWorks.com

This is definitely a Jeff Award type of production, but with the few performances they do, doesn’t quality. If they did, a sure winner!

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”.

editor note. Rudy Hognemiller is retiring as Artistic Director, making this a tough act to follow, but I am hoping he will still direct a play or two ( or more) for this company.