The Bells of Notre Dame

“Long years ago, did this story begin, in this place called Notre Dame.”
With the famed French cathedral as its backdrop, Victor Hugo’s powerful story of love and acceptance will be told by a company of dedicated student performers as the Coal City Theatre Department presents “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” this weekend and next.
The 48 member cast will tell the tale of Quasimodo, the half-formed man who comes to live in and ring the cathedral bells.
Quasimodo, played by Coal City High School junior Riley Nevin, leads a secluded life in the cathedral’s bell tower.
Outside of the uncle who took him in as an infant, Quasimodo’s only interaction is with the statues and gargoyles that are made of stone. As his uncle who has ascended to become Notre Dame’s archdeacon reminds him, stone can’t talk back.
It is during a lesson in the bell tower that archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, played by senior Cody Rogers, complains of the gypsies that have taken to the streets of Paris for the annual Feast of Fools.
Longing for one day outside of the tower and encouraged by his friends of stone, Quasimodo leaves the confines of the cathedral and heads into the streets of the city of light for the annual festival.
It is there audiences are introduced to Clopin, the king of the gypsies, a role played by sophomore Eli Fritz and the beautiful, self-assured and kind hearted gypsy dancer, Esmeralda.
Sophia Jakubowski, a senior, takes on the role of Esmeralda, who, as the story progresses finds herself in the middle of a triangle as Quasimodo, Frollo and Captain Phoebus de Martin, played by junior Griffin Johnson, all find her enchanting.
As Quasimodo and Phoebus develop a love for the gypsy, so does the archdeacon, who is torn between desire and duty.
Based on Hugo’s 1831 novel of the same name, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is a musical developed by Disney Theatrical Group, but in the words of Coal City theater director Jack Micetich — this is not your typical Disney production.
“The musical is a darker adaptation of the film, and much like Hugo’s “Les Miserables,” the show contains material that some may not feel is appropriate for all ages, but it certainly is a personal choice,” the director said.
Addey Connor, who takes the stage as one of the Gargy’s, the name the eight statues/gargoyles have given themselves, feels the themes of the show are important for the times we live, “as it deals with tolerance and kindness.”
The stage production points out the pain that comes with being different than others, and the quest for love and acceptance.
“From day one this cast came in 100% focused and invested in the production and that is what sets them apart. It’s also what makes this process fun and enjoyable for everyone involved,” Micetich said.
The process of bringing “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to life started well before auditions were held in November, and when the students arrived for the first rehearsal in January it began coming together into a show that audiences will see for the first time this weekend.
While the director and his creative team have their own expectations for a production, this year the students began the process with their own set of expectations and a plan of how to accomplish them, and Micetich said they’ve done what they set out to do.
“When audiences see this show for the first time they are going to be blown away by these students,” Micetich said.
The actors themselves say audiences will be taken aback by the vocals, lighting and set design.
“I’ve been saying this set is probably our most amazing set we’ve ever had, hands down. I mean we painted the floor — how awesome is that,” Jakubowski said.
She further points to the amazing voices that take the stage.
“I am so excited for audiences to see this show,” Jakubowski said.
“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” will be presented in the Coal City Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7 and Sunday, March 8 at 2 p.m., and again March 13 through 15. Reserved seat tickets, $8 for adults and $5 for students/senior citizens, can be purchased at cchunchback.brownpapertickets.com or at the box office, cash only, beginning one hour prior to each performance.
“This cast has worked hard and I am incredibly proud of them. I believe audiences are going to be wowed by their interpretation of this story that began in a place called Notre Dame,” Micetich said.