Music by ALAN MENKEN Lyrics by STEPHEN SCHWARTZ Book by PETER PARNELL
Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney film
Originally Developed by Disney Theatrical Productions
Orchestrations by Michael Starobin Incidental Music and Vocal Arrangements by Michael Kosarin Dance Arrangements by Rob Berman
The Hunchback of Notre Dame Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
PRODUCTION STAFF
Production Company Teachers and Directors MARK DANIELS, LINDSEY POLL
Weber High School Administration Principal: CHRIS EARNEST, Asst. Principals RYAN WAITE, ROB LAKE, NICK REYES
CAST OF CHARACTERS
CAST LIST
Dom Claude Frollo - Zack Knowlden Quasimodo - Jed Bullock Phoebus de Martin - Logan Rawson Esmeralda - Hallie Hales Clopin Trouillefou - Devon Geppelt
CONREGANTS (STORYTELLERS) (The congregants will also step into to following roles as storytellers)
Saint Aphrodisius – Kyle Crezee Jehan Frollo – Ben Daniels Florika – Rachel Poll Father Dupin – Jerron Barker Frederic Charlus – Dawson Wangsgard King Louis XI – Zac Nielsen Official – Nate Norman Madame – Ireland Pritchett
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People often ask me, “What is your favorite musical?” What a hard question to answer, and the answer is always changing. Growing up I remember discovering the musical appeal of Rogers & Hammerstein while I was still in grade school. I’ll never forget the day I was carrying my mom’s vinyl album of The Sound of Music to play at my grandmas when it slipped out of the cover and broke into two pieces on the front porch. “When the dog barks, when the bees stings – when you drop a family favorite album on the floor and it breaks in two.” When Les Misérables premiered in London’s West End in 1985 I listened to the cast recording until I could practically sing it backwards! Then there were Into the Woods, Aida, West Side Story, Once on This Island, Finding Neverland, IF/THEN, and Newsies all personal favorites of mine.
Then I saw an outstanding production of HUNCHABCK in St. George, Utah at the Tuacahn Amphitheater, (which stared Summer Naomi Wood, a former student of mine, as Esmeralda) and I knew directing this show was in my future. Now I waited. Waited for the performance rights to become available for high school productions.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame marks the fifth musical I’ve directed composed by the remarkable Alan Menken and the eighth musical licensed by Disney Theatricals. I think this show is truly Menken at his most genius. He basically wrote two scores. One that tells the story of the Hunchback and a second score, a Latin mass, that is brilliantly overlaid, blended, and mixed with the story in the most beautiful way.
There is nothing like a musical set in Paris in the 15th century to give us some emotional, thought-provoking, ethical dilemmas about the nature of man and society. The music is beautiful, the characters are flawed, and the story delves into the darkest and brightest parts of the human experience.
But here is a riddle to guess if you can
What makes a monster and what makes a man?
Sing the bells of Notre Dame!
Thank you for coming and Thank you to a brilliant creative team that consistently pushes me to be my best self. Thank you to a talented cast and crew that believe in the vision of live theatre at its best and who are willing to share their talents with the world. YOU ARE AMAZING and Lindsey, Jake, and I couldn't be more proud of you!
Mr. Daniels Productions Co. Director
Hunchback of Norte Dame is a production that makes me ask the questions Why do we do this? and Is it worth it?
Why do we put in the extra hours perfecting a number that only family and friends will see? Why do we spend the weekends to paint a set that will be torn down in weeks? Why do we push through exhaustion knowing it would be easier to just sit? Why do we ignore the self-doubt even though it screams louder every day? Why do we do theatre at all? Are we self-loathing? Do we need attention? Do we need approval?
Is all the stress worth it?
Then I remember the day when I had to explain to a student what it’s like to lose someone, and hopefully he’ll remember he’s not alone when it happens to him.
Worth it.
Then I remember the day when the kids just needed to laugh so I made a fool of myself attempting to draw a unicorn.
Worth it.
Then I remember the day when I talked about how scary it can be to be a woman but we can find strength in ourselves and others around us.
Worth it.
Then I remember the day when the kids needed to let loose so I played baseball with a yardstick and a wadded up piece of paper.
Worth it.
Then I remembered the day when the lights flicked on and the kids finally understood what it means to be a true storyteller. They felt the importance to tell a story about patience, love, and acceptance.
It’s all totally worth it.
Mrs. Poll Productions Co. Director
With soaring melodies, epic 8-part harmonies, and lush, full orchestration, Hunchback has one of my favorite musical scores in all of theatre. To have the opportunity to music direct this show and do so with an insanely talented group of students and collaborators is an experience I will never forget.
More important than the beauty of its score is the question that it asks—a question we might all answer differently.
“What makes a monster and what makes a man?”
As I ponder that “riddle,” here’s how I might respond: We live in a world of beautiful diversity. People of all races, religions, political beliefs, sexual orientations, genders, and abilities share this little planet that we all call home. To me, the answer lies in how we treat one another. Do we demonize? Do we fail to see humanity in someone different from us?
May we all consider the times in our lives when we have done so. May we choose to see humanity in each other, no matter our differences. May we be kind and brave. If we do that, I believe that someday life will be fairer, need will be rarer, and greed will not pay. Change will come one day, someday soon. Enjoy the show!