I’ve always said one of the toughest parts of community theatre is matching the right shows with the right theatre companies. Not every company can pull off Rocky Horror or Evil Dead: The Musical. The same is true for big spectacle shows like Frozen or Beauty and the Beast. A perfect example of the latter can be found right now at Hale Center Theatre with their new production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. I have seen this show many times over the years but this is undeniably one of the best.

Featured on their large Centre Stage Hale has crafted a moving experience with this show with spectacle that often took my breath away. They even have columns of fire for the “Hellfire” sequence! Director Dave Smith has also used the massive stage judiciously so that it is not distracting from our sight lines (as has been true in some Hale productions) or from the character journeys. I was especially blown away by large seemingly working bells in the belltower sections (scenic design by Nate Bertone.)

The cast is also large with a huge ensemble that makes songs like “Hellfire” seem extra big and impactful. The lead performers are all excellent with Alex Young as Quasimodo and Ethan Kelso as Phoebus being the standouts. It took me a bit to vibe with Josh Richardson’s take on Frollo but by the time he sings “Hellfire” I was impressed (I keep bringing that song up but it really was outstanding!)

Perhaps with this new Beehive theatre I will change my view on Hale Center Theatre but right now when I go to a show from them I want to be wowed by big spectacle and that’s what we get with their Hunchback. It truly is one thrilling sequence of dance and music after another. The only big sequence I didn’t love is the “Finale Ultimo” which I find a lot of companies stage strangely. They had Frollo in the heavenly throngs and that doesn’t sit right with me. Also they made the decision for Quasimodo to lose his hump in the afterlife, which I’ve seen before, but I don’t really care for. The whole point of the story is him coming to own his value and ending with him needing to be changed to be perfected isn’t what I would do. I understand, however, this comes down to personal theology and preferences and I still was extremely moved by the song and dance.

Some of my other favorite songs are “Someday,” “God Help the Outcasts” and “Heaven’s Light.” I hope that some day Hunchback is produced on Broadway but I can’t imagine it being done much better there than what they have accomplished at Hale. It is definitely worthy of your time and money. It is playing through April 25th and tickets can be purchased here.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is based on the 1996 Disney animated film with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. The film is of course based on the novel by Victor Hugo. The book for the musical is from James Lapine and Peter Parnell. It has not been on Broadway but it did recently have a popular concert version in the West End in London. In my opinion it’s one of the only Disney Broadway musicals that actually improves upon the animated films.

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