The Hunchback of Notre Dame
by Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz, and Peter Parnell
Timpanogos Arts Foundation, 2024
Director - Andrew Jefferies
Music Director - Chari Bennett
Choreographer - Stephanie Cole
Fight Choreographer - Eric Smith
Stage Manager - Sam Brockman
Assistant Stage Manager - Kayla Rydalch
Scenic & Lighting Design - Caleb Wallengren
Costume Design - Nicole Madsen
Sound Design - Chari Bennett
Assistant Sound Design - Nathan Martineau
Props Design - Cindy Andersen
“Timpanogos Community Theater has done it again: their production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame tackles complex themes and a challenging script with maturity and grace…Jefferies manages to keep the play focused on the central theme of human love and empathy. Each moment is brilliantly directed, only enhanced by the cast of actors.” Read full review here.
“Jefferies leaves the audience with the beautiful message that we can make a difference. We have the power and the responsibility to create a kinder world full of pure acceptance and love.” Read full review here.
I have rarely encountered a musical like Hunchback that so openly asks the audience to engage in the storytelling. Actors become characters before our eyes, settings are represented by little more than stairs and benches, and everyone is invited to walk in the shoes of each character for a time.
This production utilized the ensemble and moving set pieces to create cinematic visuals to match the epic nature of the music. I also staged the Finale so that as the ensemble moved forward to support Quasimodo, they would remove the outer layers of their costumes and help him do the same. It was important to me that our production emphasized the message of putting aside differences to extend kindness to others.
“I was not prepared to be impressed. I was. I was impressed again and again…This was a show that was exceptionally good, and not just for community theatre. To cast and crew, well done. The show did have Jefferies’ 'vibrant magic and energy' and this was an immediately earned standing ovation.” Read full review here.