The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Opera House Players

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, playing through Sunday, May 21 at the Opera House Players in Enfield, CT, is a sporadically entertaining musical that, like the animated Disney movie it is based on, is a quick retelling of the Victor Hugo novel that also includes magical elements. 

 

The strength of the show are two key performers – Tim Reilly as the duplicitous priest Dom Claude Frollo and Tiffany Vinters as the strong-willed gypsy Esmeralda.  Their portrayals elevate the production whenever they are on stage.

 

The story focuses on the character of Quasimodo.  Deformed at birth, he has lived his whole life within the confines of the Cathedral de Notre Dame.  Raised in secret by Dom Frollo, he yearns to walk among the denizens of Paris.  At the Festival of Fools he gets his chance, only to be discovered and humiliated until saved by the gypsy performer Esmeralda.  Quasimodo becomes infatuated with her, but as the plot unfolds we see two others that want to possess her - Dom Frollo and the handsome Captain Phoebus, employed by the priest to guard the Cathedral and keep order in the city.  The menage de quatre becomes more complicated and a tad convoluted until Quasimodo, facing his fears, helps save the city.  His bravery and selflessness, however, ends in tragedy.

 

The score is by the multi-award winning team of composer Alan Menken ( Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin) and Stephen Schwartz (Disney’s Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt).  While there are some beautiful and heartfelt ballads - “Someday” and “Out There” – and an opening number reminiscent of the stage setting “Belle” from Beauty and the Best, the songs are not the strongest from the duo.  Director Gene Choquette has adeptly incorporated a group of choral members on pews and other locations around the two-tiered set, handsomely designed by Eric Boucher, to greatly augment the individual singing voices

 

With a very large cast, Mr. Choquette has to constantly blend large crowd scenes with more intimate moments.  The mix works most of the time, even with the energetic, yet uneven choreography Director of Movement Sarah Rose Stack infuses into the production.

 

Adriel Berrios brings a vulnerability to the role of Quasimodo.  He aptly conveys someone who has been cloistered all his life and aches to be like others.  Jay Lee is a shade stilted as the heroic Captain Phoebus De Martin, but the actor does impart strength and determination.

 

Sharon FitzHenry’s lighting design adds spark to the musical, especially with some fun special effects.  Susan Choquette’s costume designs are varied and, with the gypsy members of the cast, vibrant and colorful.  Oliver Bellman’s gargoyle outfits are straightforward and well-done.

 

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, playing at the Opera House Players through May 21.  Click here for ticket information.