Town & Country Players Presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame

From the moment the show opens the music tugs at heartstrings and draws the audience in to the story of Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bell-ringer of Notre Dame (Brady Love) and his “master” the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo (Michael Schiumo). Based on the 1996 Disney film and Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is relatively new to Disney Theatrical being first staged in 2015 and was never released to Broadway. The show featuring music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz is much darker, emotionally deeper and more adult than other Disney Theatrical productions as it explores the theme of what it really means to be a monster.

A trio of newcomers leads the cast anchored by Town & Country veteran Michael Schiumo. Along with Love as Quasimodo are husband and wife team Jenny McNiven and Lee Damon as the temptress gypsy Esmerelda and Captain Phoebus de Martin. All deliver impassioned performances with technical excellence. Schiumo was last seen on the T&C stage as Willy Wonka. As much joy and humor that Schiumo brought to the role of Wonka, he brings darkness and complexity to Frollo. Also in a principal role is T&C veteran Melissa Mongi (last seen as the comedic Ms. Teavee in Willy Wonka) who serves as the show’s Narrator and head of the gypsies, Clopin Trouillefou.

For Director John Neuman directing this show is a decade long dream come true. He loved the book and movie as a child and had thought the movie was perfect for a stage adaptation. After seeing the original staging in 2015 at the Paper Mill Playhouse he knew he wanted to direct the show himself one day. He feels the story has special relevance today and is particularly moved by the line delivered by Esmerelda, “I thought we were all children of God” and hopes that audiences will really contemplate her message.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is playing at Town and Country Players located on Route 263 in Buckingham and runs weekends from September 7th- September 22nd. Curtain time is 8pm for Friday and Saturday evening shows on September 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd. Matinees are at 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays September 8th, 9th, 15th, 16thand 22nd. Tickets can be ordered online at www.townandcountryplayers.org or by calling the Box Office at 1-800-838-3006. Adults $20. Children (12 and under) $10. Parental Guidance is recommended. The show is not recommended for children under 10.

Pictured: Hunchback Cast and Choir

Photo Credit: Mindy Rubinlicht