Director Gina Vitucci on Theatre Arts in the Schools

We recently caught up with Gina Vitucci, the very busy director of the upcoming LWE production of Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, which opens April 27th and plays through April 29 at Lincoln-way East High School in Frankfort IL, and were able to ask her about musical theatre in the schools.

Why is it important for public high schools to put on musicals?

As an extra curricular activity, Musical Theater productions are equally as important as sports teams. For students interested in the arts, it offers a unique and important experience. Musical theater is the one art form where all other art forms converge- writing, composition, instrumental music, vocal arts, dance, acting, textiles, sculpture, design, visual arts. All these forms come together, dependent on each other, creating one beautiful work of art to be seen by lucky audiences for a few brief performances, and then to disappear into the ether like a dream. Like team sports, musical theater demands teamwork, discipline, development of technique and skill, and hard work and focus to reach a goal. It also instills confidence, camaraderie, and a deeper understanding of the human experience.

That camaraderie is definitely palpable in the LWE production of Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, which will be playing April 27 and 28 at 7pm, April 28 at 1pm, and April 29 at 3pm at Lincoln-way East Fine Arts Auditorium, 201 Colorado, Frankfort IL. Tickets will be available for $10 one hour before showtime, or can be purchased NOW online at lwemusic.org