Review by Val O’Bryan
HURRICANE – You might think you are familiar with the story of The Hunchback of Notre Dame because you have seen the 1996 Disney film. I am pleased to inform you that this musical stays truer to the original novel by Victor Hugo, while still including the beloved songs from the beloved Disney kid-flick.
Narrator Clopin (Day Carpenter) helps us navigate the complex origins of Quasimodo (Brad Serage) and his guardian, Claude Frollo (Caleb Christensen). Years earlier, Frollo had taken in his wayward brother Jehan’s (Mattix Espinoza) deformed baby after Jehan’s death, naming the child Quasimodo and raising him in the bell tower of Notre Dame. As the story transitions into the present day of 1542, Quasimodo, now a young man, longs to experience the world beyond the cathedral walls. At the encouragement of his gargoyle friends (a warm and friendly ensemble led by Mattix Espinoza, Ashia Barnum, Cari Bangerter, Ashley David, Ashlyn Holt, Genavieve Johnson, Jewel Thomas, and Luke Burton), he sneaks out to attend the Feast of Fools. There, he meets the jubilant Romani dancer Esmeralda (Haley-Shea Benoit), who defends him from a cruel public mockery after he wins the festival’s “King of Fools” contest. This moment marks the beginning of a powerful connection between Quasimodo and Esmeralda, while also igniting dangerous feelings in Frollo and Phoebus (Jaiden Scott), the newly arrived captain of the guard.
As tensions rise, Esmeralda’s compassion draws her into Quasimodo’s isolated world, and the two form a tender friendship. Meanwhile, Frollo becomes consumed by his conflicting desires for Esmeralda and his rigid sense of morality. After she rejects his offer of sanctuary, Frollo’s obsession spirals into fury, prompting him to launch a manhunt under the guise of protecting Paris from evil. His corruption deepens when he orders the burning of a brothel and stabs Phoebus for defying him—only to frame Esmeralda for the crime. The city is plunged into chaos, and Quasimodo is left fearing for Esmeralda’s safety, setting the stage for the battle between love, justice, and control.
Despite the heavy themes of corrupted power, injustice, and identity, the colorful, energetic ensemble portraying Romani characters (Mattix Espinoza, Ashia Barnum, Jonah Lavelle, Mick Bixler, Ashley David, Ashlyn Holt, Genavieve Johnson, Jewel Thomas, Luke Burton, Bethany Byrd, Bryson Winegar, Cambrie Capitan, Guy Thomas, Makaty Snyder, and Taylor Pearce) brings needed levity, boosted by Kenzie Harts’ choreography and Sammy Myrick’s vibrant costumes. Music director Melodie Kimzey supports beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking vocals. Haley-Shea Benoit brings sweetness and humanity in “God Help the Outcasts.” Brad Serage brings Quasimodo to life in “Heaven’s Light.” Caleb Christensen is terrifying as Frollo in “Hellfire.” But the performance that was not on my figurative theater-watching bingo card was Ashia Rowland’s angelic solo in the “Finale Ultimo.” This cast is strong and does justice to the difficult topics with strong performances.
Director Kyle Myrick at Hurricane Theatrical never disappoints. The sweeping and flexible set design (Nathan Merrill) and expressive lighting (Kyle Myrick) are the trademarks of Hurricane Theatrical. Victor Hugo’s novel was a love letter to the Gothic architecture. Merrill has captured that love in the stone facades and gargoyles of his Notre Dame.
Don’t miss this beautiful production that challenges audiences to answer the question “what makes a monster and what makes a man?”
Note: please be advised that there are special effects in this performance that include haze, pyrotechnics (bright flashes) and strobe lights.
Hurricane Theatrical presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and the book by James Lapine and Peter Parnell.
Hurricane City Fine Arts Building, 63 S 100 W, Hurricane, UT 84737
April 4 – May 10, 2025 Monday, Friday, Saturday 7:00 PM, Saturday 2:00 PM
Tickets: $10-20
Contact: 435-668-9753