Theater News

The Hunchback of Notre Dame Set to Make Its East Coast Debut

The dramatic retelling of the famous love story begins performances tonight at Paper Mill Playhouse.

Ciara Renée plays Esmeralda in the United States premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Paper Mill Playhouse.
Ciara Renée plays Esmeralda in the premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Paper Mill Playhouse.
(courtesy of the production)

Performances of the Paper Mill Playhouse premiere of The Hunchback of Notre Dame start tonight. Based on the classic book by Victor Hugo, the show focuses on Quasimodo, the deformed hunchback. His life as the bell-ringer of the Notre Dame cathedral is changed forever when he meets the beautiful gypsy Esmerelda. The musical presents the tragic story of Quasimodo’s love for her and the many intrigues he encounters in his attempt to protect and help her.

The musical features lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, music by Alan Menken, and book by Peter Parnell. It features Michael Arden (The Times They Are A-Changin’) as Quasimodo, Patrick Page (Casa Valentina) as Dom Claude Frollo, Ciara Renée (Pippin) as Esmeralda, Andrew Samonsky (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) as Captain Phoebus de Martin, and Erik Liberman (Lovemusik) as Clopin Trouillefou. Chase Brock is the choreographer. Scott Schwartz directs.

The creative team includes Howell Binkley (lighting design), Alejo Vietti (costume design), Alexander Dodge (set design), and Gareth Owen (sound design), Steve Rankin (fight director), Chase Brock (choreographer), Brent-Alana Huffman (music director and conductor), Michael Kosarin (music supervisor, vocal and incidental music arranger).

Performances will run through April 5.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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