Two brothers on different paths are connected in a transformative tale exploring the nature of faith, virtue, honesty and what truly matters.  From Victor Hugo, author of the classic novel, Les Miserables, The Hunchback of Notre Dame certainly knows how to tug at the heartstrings while delivering an epic and compelling tale.

Insightfully co-directed by Zoe Bradford and Sally Ashton Forrest with resonating musical direction by Robert McDonough, The Company Theatre Center for the Arts presents gothic musical classic, The Hunchback of Notre Dame continuing live and in person at The Company Theatre in Norwell, Massachusetts through Sunday August 17.  The action is not limited to the stage and runs a lengthy but well paced two hours and 50 minutes with one intermission.  Click here for more information and for tickets.

Jacob French as Young Claude Frollo is determined to join the priesthood while his brother Jehan, depicted by Charlie Solari, would rather lead a hard partying lifestyle with the local gypsies.  It’s a tale that bears some resemblance to The Prodigal Son parable.  Young Frollo, who considers himself holy and righteous, is appalled by his brother’s actions and the results are destined to change both their lives.

Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame was released shortly after The Lion King and Pocahontas in 1996 and is considered part of the Disney Film Renaissance spanning from 1989 to 1999.  Having recently re-watched Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, do not go into the Company Theatre thinking it is strictly a staging of the Disney musical.  Faithful to elements of the 1996 Disney adaptation with Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s amazing and unforgettable music soundtrack and Victor Hugo’s 1831 classic gothic novel sporadically revealed through multiple narrators, The Company Theatre assembles a powerful and inspirational tale of virtue and humility in the face of cruelty and obsession. 

Set in 1492 Paris, Salvatore Guillermo Garcia leads the cast in riveting form as quiet and gentle hearted Quasimodo who acts as Notre Dame Cathedral’s bell ringer and is kept in the bell tower visited solely by Peter S. Adams as manipulative Dom Claude Frollo.  Starved for company and overjoyed by any shred of attention, Quasimodo anticipates The Feast of Fools, an exciting France feast day celebrated by the clergy during the Middle Ages and perhaps an opportunity to be accepted for a day.

Set designer Ryan Barrow replicates the regal stone pillars and the gold signature Notre Dame Cathedral bells brought to life by its harmonious chiming.  However, the jewel in this detailed set is a multicolored stained glass cathedral dome above the wooden balcony which lighting designer Dean Palmer Jr. brilliantly enhances and bathes the set in an array of colors rooted in the stain glass during the production. 

So much of The Hunchback of Notre Dame hinges on its ability to capture this complex production’s powerful hymnal ambiance and The Company Theatre does that in spades not only through its strong lead vocals, but through twenty-two additional choir members consistently enhancing the action onstage.  It is at times “blow your hair back” powerful and expressive, the production’s thunderous and harmonious voices exhilarating right from its magnificent opening number, The Bells of Notre Dame.  I was visibly moved many times.

Peter S. Adams as Dom Claude Frollo and Dru Daniels as Florika are both lauded operatic talents who collaborated in Company Theatre’s wonderful The Secret Garden.  Adams delivers a more measured performance as Don Claude Frollo, a manipulative and righteous priest.  Firm and commanding, Adams brings additional dimension to the role and his exchanges with Garcia as Quasimodo are as fascinating as they are bittersweet.  His rich rendition of Hellfire and Esmeralda is bold yet tormented, exposing momentary glimpses into his shielded angst.  Dru Daniels also embellishes every moment she has onstage with her magnificent vocals as Florika.

Costume Designer Kiera O’Connor has assembled an assortment of vibrant and multi-colored costumes as well as traditional vestments similar to the Disney adaptation and its time period, but adorned in Parisian masquerade masks, the shimmering and imaginative gargoyles are the ones that truly shine.  Sally Ashton Forrest’s unique, playful, ballet-inspired and symbolic choreography impressively drive Anne Martland as Hugo the Playful, Mel Carubia as Victor the Reasonable, and Gilbert Dabady as Laverne the Nurturing Gargoyle as they advise and keep Salvatore Guillermo Garcia as lonely Quasimodo company.  Paired with these intricate and sparkling ensembles, they provide not only comic relief, but work together to articulate distress, comfort, amusement and more while acting as a respite and community sanctuary for Quasimodo in the bell tower.

With a knowing smile, David J. Kim portrays stealthy showman and deemed King of the Gypsies, Clopin Trouillefou.  Kim’s smooth delivery and complicated demeanor makes him a charming enigma.  Kim leads the revelers in an animated rendition of Topsy Turvy and with Lopes, Roussell, Adams and Garcia in a spellbinding Rhythm of the Tambourine.

Celena Lopes gives a mesmerizing performance as frank, saucy, compassionate, resourceful and headstrong Esmeralda, a role voiced for the Disney adaptation by a charismatic actress known for spirited female characters, Demi Moore.   Lopes performs an incredible rendition of the hopeful ballad, Someday with Jack Roussell as seemingly bombastic, egotistical and regal Phoebus de Martin and shares charming chemistry with Garcia.  However, Top of the World and stirring God Help the Outcasts is where Lopes is at her best.

Salvatore Guillermo Garcia offers a paramount performance as Quasimodo, a role in which he dedicates to his late mother.  The sheer physicality and understated performance boasted by sterling vocals he delivered as Jean Val Jean in Academy of the Company Theatre’s previous production of Les Miserables make him the perfect choice for this role. Garcia embodies Quasimodo’s humble naiveté, trepidation, loneliness and yearning as well as the soft glow that passes over Garcia’s shy and meek features.  From the wondrous ache of Out There and tender Heaven’s Light to the soaring Made of Stone, Garcia caps off this meaning musical experience worth witnessing for yourself.

The Company Theatre Center for the Arts presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame continuing live and in person at The Company Theatre in Norwell, Massachusetts through Sunday, August 17.  Click here for more information and for tickets.