Vandalia Youth Theatre will present ‘Hunchback’ show premiere
IF YOU GO
The local premiere of composer Alan Menken and lyricist Stephen Schwartz’s musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” opens Friday, July 20, courtesy of Vandalia Youth Theatre at Northridge High School.
Based on Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel and the 1996 Disney film, this dark yet tuneful tale of identity, romance and adventure revolves around the disfigured, humble Quasimodo, the cathedral bell ringer who longs to be accepted by society while under the guardianship of the malevolent, religiously pious Judge Frollo. Along the way, Quasimodo befriends and has feelings for the kindhearted gypsy Esmerelda, who allows him to understand his own value as a human being. However, he must come to terms with the fact that she is in love with handsome Phoebus, Frollo’s Captain of the Guard.
“This story is absolutely timeless,” said director Jake Lockwood, a Wright State University acting alumnus and an actor/educator who has contributed to such organizations as Human Race Theatre Company, Muse Machine, Town Hall Theatre, and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. “The book was written years ago, but the lessons are still relevant today. The ideas of acceptance and inclusion are so important. We are more alike than we are different despite our outward appearance. In our hearts, we all want goodness to prevail. Esmerelda in particular has an immediate connection with a boy who has had no human contact with the exception of his uncle Frollo, but she immediately accepts and develops an innocent friendship with him. It’s a really sweet story.”
Lockwood, whose parents Jim and Dodie and sister Jennifer are members of the Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame, is no stranger to “Hunchback.” In fact, during his more than 20 years working at Walt Disney World, he appeared in the live show at the former Disney MGM Studios, now known as Disney Hollywood Studios. The show’s first-rate artistic team included Tony Awardwinning lighting designer Natasha Katz and Janet Watson, the original choreographer of “Big River.”
“The ‘Hunchback’ production was one of the first times Disney broke the pattern of using the traditional character look for stage shows in the theme parks,” he explained. “Disney used Equity actors to portray what normally would have been a traditional character role. I was a member of the Gargoyles and the audience saw our faces and we sang the songs. There wasn’t any mystery about the show. The audience knew it was a show being performed by actors. The level of production quality that was put into it made the show have a permanent soft spot in my heart for the rest of my career.”
The 40-member cast of this VYT Senior Production, comprised of youth in grades 9-12 from throughout the Miami Valley, will be led by Bradley Scearce as Quasimodo, Isaac Wagers as Frollo, Branden Fisher as Phoebus, and Julie Murphy as Esmerelda who was notably featured last season as Laurie in the Human Race’s outstanding production of “Brighton Beach Memoirs.”
“Quasimodo represents so much for so many,” said Scearce, previously seen with Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg and Dare to Defy Productions. “The show opens with the question, ‘What makes a monster and what makes a man?’ Today, that is a question we all must take time to answer. The show also tells the stories of different outcast communities whether disabled in Quasimodo’s case or people of different races in Esmerelda’s case and the What: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”
Where: Northridge High School, 2251 Timber Lane, Dayton
When: July 20-29; 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sunday (July 29 only)
Cost: $12-$14 Tickets/more info: Visit www.vandaliayouththeatre. net
FYI: Vandalia Youth Theatre’s productions of “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” and “The Lion King Jr.” run concurrently with “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Romani people. To this day, both communities are often outcast and oppressed. While this show may not be the solution to these problems, I hope it will start a conversation within our community.”
Menken and Schwartz’s Academy Award-nominated score includes “The Bells of Notre Dame,” “Out There,” “God Help the Outcasts,” and the lovely lullaby “Someday.”
“‘Someday’ in particular is a wonderful song about hope and being able to change the world,” Lockwood said. “This cast feels this show is their ‘Someday.’ It’s a gift to the audience in the hope they hear the call, they hear the bells of change. The cast hopes the audience will step forward by their example and be more accepting of the people around them and make a difference in the world.”
Contact this contributing writer at rflorence2@gmail.com.