Ring in the Holiday Season with Avon Players’ ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’

 

Sweeping music and an epic story make this new Disney musical an instant classic

An enduring novel will come to life with a dramatic story and lush Disney music as Avon Players presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame running November 23-December 8.

Claude Frollo, archdeacon of Notre Dame (Nick Frederick), has been hiding his charge, the deformed Quasimodo (Clayton Hargrave), in the bell tower of the cathedral for years. Quasimodo’s only companions are his fantasies of the personified gargoyles, statues, and bells that surround him until one day he decides to take advantage of the carnival known as the Feast of Fools to venture outside and explore the world he has been denied.

Clayton Hargrave as Quasimodo and Lori Smith as Esmeralda.
Photo Credit: Bryan Clifford.

The festival is presided over by Clopin (Anthony Tringoli), the “King of the Gypsies.”  Phoebus de Martin (Salvatore Sbrocca) has just arrived in Paris from the front to begin his tenure as the captain of the cathedral guard. Frollo, Quasimodo, and Phoebus are each mesmerized by the performance of the beguiling Esmeralda (Lori Smith). When Esmeralda happens upon Quasimodo hiding on the periphery of the celebration, she encourages him to participate in a competition for the ugliest person in France. Quasimodo takes the stage, only to have the crowd quickly turn on him, confirming for Frollo that the only way for Quasimodo to survive is to be hidden away.

Once Quasimodo returns to the safety of the cathedral, Esmeralda goes to Notre Dame to visit him. Frollo’s obsession with Esmeralda grows, and, when she spurns his advances, he labels her a heathen temptress and blames her for corrupting him. Meanwhile Esmeralda becomes closer with both Quasimodo, who lets her into his idiosyncratic secluded world, and Phoebus, who seeks her at a local tavern. When Phoebus proves unwilling to harm innocents on Frollo’s command, both he and Esmeralda become fugitives. Quasimodo must choose between the only life he’s known and his expanding sense of the world beyond the cathedral’s walls.

L to R: Nick Frederick as Frollo, Salvatore Sbrocca as Captain Phoebus and Lori Smith as Esmeralda.
Photo Credit: Bryan Clifford.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is based on the 1996 Disney animated film of the same name, released during the decade known as the “Disney Renaissance” that included such cinematic successes as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. The film was based on the 1831 gothic novel by Victor Hugo, who also wrote the novel Les Misérables. The stage musical incorporates songs from the film by composer Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Newsies) and lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Wicked) plus new material by the composing team.

Tickets for all shows are $22.  Seniors and Student tickets are $20 on Sundays. Call 248.608.9077 for tickets or order online at www.AvonPlayers.org. Group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets.  Visa and MasterCard are accepted.  All seats are reserved.  Show dates and times follow:

Friday, Nov. 23             8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 24        8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 25           2:00 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 30             8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 1           8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 2             2:00 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 7               8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 8           8:00 p.m.

Founded in 1947, Avon Players is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit community theatre located along the winding banks of Stoney Creek in the quaint Historic District of Rochester Hills, only about two miles from the heart of downtown Rochester. Avon Players has been performing shows in its unique A-frame theater since 1965. With ticket prices set at a fraction of those at professional theatre (plus free parking and concessions on a donation basis) a family of four can experience a sensational live theatrical event for about the cost of one ticket at a “downtown” venue. And for regular theatre-goers, an affordable outing can be an even better bargain by taking advantage of Avon Players’ season ticket packages, which yield discounts of up to 21% per ticket. Additionally, season ticket holders enjoy priority seating selection and voting privileges in Avon’s annual “Stoney Awards.”  Additional information regarding tickets and productions is available by calling the Avon Players box office at 248.608.9077 or by visiting the website: www.AvonPlayers.org.

Cast and Production Staff by Community:

Clarkston

Jim Territo (Music Director)

Geoffrey Wickson (“Ensemble”)

Scott Wickson (“Ensemble”)

Clinton Township

Patrick Daniels (“Ensemble”)

Anthony Tringoli (“Clopin”)

Inkster

Kirsten Renas (Choir/Choir Mistress/Vocal Coach)

Lake Orion

Bill Davenport (“Ensemble”)

Brandon Morrow (“Choir”)

Macomb

Sharon Jourdan (Properties Design)

Rochester

Joe Mancinotti (“Ensemble”)

Mark Misch (“Choir”)

Caitlin O’Brien (“Choir”)

Evan Thurwachter (“Choir”)

Rochester Hills

John (JD) Deierlein (Director)

Peggy Deierlein (Producer)

Nick Frederick (“Frollo”)

Clayton Hargave (“Quasimodo”)

Brad Holoday (Set Design)

Louise Holoday (Hair and Make-up Design)

Max Schein (“Ensemble”)

Nick Kibler (Sound Design)

Shelby Township

Jeff Bednar (“Choir”)

Jennifer Combs (“Choir”)

Nikki Mullaly (“Ensemble”)

Tracy Murray (“Ensemble”)

Pamela Plewa (“Ensemble”)

Salvatore Sbrocca (“Phoebus”)

Lori Smith (“Esmeralda”)

Sterling Heights

George Liebau (“Ensemble”)

Kathleen Warner (“Ensemble”)

Troy

Maritoni Harte (Choreographer)

Warren

Stephanie Bonin (“Choir”)

Johannah Steinbrecher-Booker (“Ensemble”)

Washington

Matt Cason (“Ensemble”)

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