If you follow my theatre criticism you have heard me use the term “learning company.” This is the moniker I give to community theaters that are more places for education than anything else and they often wear their amateur status on their sleeve. I always say there has to be one place where people can try out the theater without needing an MFA here in Utah. For a long time I would have definitely included Beverley’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse in that learning company group. I’m not even saying there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just what it was for a long time. But this is why you always give companies new opportunities because over the last year I’ve seen a real change at Terrace Plaza. It started with Urinetown, then Freaky Friday was solid and this week their production of Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame is so good it may bump them out of the learning company group all together.

In fact, I have a friend who had not the best experience with one of Terrace Plaza’s shows, and I messaged her after seeing this and told her she’d like it. I wouldn’t have done that if I wasn’t confident she’d have a very different experience with this production.

Last year when West Valley Arts did Hunchback I discovered I am a bigger fan of this show in general than a lot of my friends. I admit I do give it a certain amount of credit because it is one of the only of these Disney shows that actually improves upon the animated film it is based on. Most of them are major downgrade especially Mary Poppins and The Little Mermaid. I love how they balanced the tone better than the animated film (getting rid of “A Guy Like You” and adding the Saint Aphrodisius element are such smart upgrades) but they also develop the character motivations much better particularly for Count Frollo.

At Terrace Plaza director and choreographer Aaron Ford has taken this strong material and gathered a group of actors and technicians capable of pulling off the moving story. Quasimodo played by Cameron Ropp is a little smaller than I sometimes see the character but he is very sweet and endearing. Olivia Lusk-Garibay is captivating as Esmeralda. I especially love the red outfit they give her so that when Frollo sings “Hellfire” she literally looks like fire as she dances. That was a brilliant choice by costume designer Jacci Olsen Florence. Speaking of Frollo he is played by Joshua Elden Egbert who is always excellent and he continues that streak here. He is so commanding in the role that the lady sitting next to me whispered “he’s such a creep!” Of course Josh is no creep in real life but that’s how immersive the performance is.

Sometimes Terrace Plaza can underuse the top parts of their stage (that was a critique for Freaky Friday) but for Hunchback they used those areas a lot. The bells looked very real and they used the trapdoor by the bells basically turning the right part of the stage and that platform into Quasimodo’s tower. I also really liked the stained glass lighting feature they had which changed colors for different scenes (lighting designer Melissa Trenery.) This is a nice break from the projections they have been using lately. I don’t mind a projection but will almost always prefer handmade sets if possible.

One of my favorite aspects of this production is the ensemble work- particularly the choral music throughout. The choreography is also very well executed with a massive cast with dozens of actors all dancing together on the stage for numbers like “Topsy Turvy.” I really enjoyed Dre Hay as Clopin, who can be a confusing character because he is joyous but also judgmental and even harsh but Hay finds the right energy to sell the character. Ricky Dowse has a nerdy energy that works quite well for Captain Phoebus and they all have excellent singing voices.

One point I have been critical of some Hunchback productions in the past is when they overplay the afterlife sequence at the end. While it makes sense for Quasimodo to lose his hunch in the after life it can be handled in a cringeworthy way. Not so here. I like that it is just a quick moment, almost like removing a coat, and the focus is quickly on his reunification with Esmeralda and his father. I also like how they handle the ending with the molten ore actually visualizing it with fabric coming out of the caldron. They really think of everything for this production.

There were a few problems particularly with the microphones and sound mix that can be worked on (I saw opening night) but nothing major. I enjoyed this so much I’d consider seeing the MWF cast if I can get up there (it’s an hour from my house.) Recently we had the unfortunate news of OPPA closing up in Layton so we need to support these Northern Utah theatre companies especially when they are putting out such high quality shows as this Hunchback at Terrace Plaza. It’s a must see in Weber County and is playing until 9/29 and tickets can be purchased here. (I had someone ask me about the seats and they are not the most comfortable but they do have cushions available for free which can help.)

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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