The storytellers

Every person who takes the stage plays an important role in bringing a story to life. None more so than the eight young actors cast as the statues and gargoyles who occupy the bell tower in Coal City Theatre Department’s upcoming production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
These fixtures serve as narrators of the show and friends to Quasimodo, the half-formed man who comes to live in and ring the cathedral bells.
Levi Counterman, a junior, is one the statues and he explains the role the statues and gargoyles play is one of a friend to Quasimodo.
Quasimodo is the protagonist in the musical production based on Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Although the statues and gargoyles that line the famed cathedral know what a kind and gentle man Quasimodo is, the townspeople see him as a monster.
As junior Gabe Ludes said, the statues “are the only ones that truly know Quasimodo the man rather than the monster.”
Ludes and Counterman will take the stage this March alongside fellow statues Zoe Smith, Adeline Connor, Gabby Cinotto, Natalie Durham, DeKotah Rueger and Aiden Kostbade.
As individuals and a collective group, the eight actors/actresses bring strong vocals and acting skills to the stage.
Collectively that have appeared in over 18 stage shows including school and community theatre productions.
Seniors Gabby Cinotto and Natalie Durham say they love theatre and it’s what keeps them coming back to the stage. Both got their start in community theatre and continued through junior high and high school.
When it came time for auditions for this year’s musical, Smith was excited to have an opportunity to tell the story and now that she’s well into the rehearsal process she says, “I’m excited to get to be a part of that.”
Counterman is also excited about the opportunity to be a part of the production directed by Jack Micetich.
“Hearing the vocals and seeing the musical gave me chills and made me excited to what we could do with this show,” Counterman said.
The students say they are looking forward to seeing the process unfold, from the vocals all coming together, to the scenic design that will take the performance space from a stage to a cathedral.
Each of the players has their own reasons for putting in the countless hours that come with a production.
For many it’s being a part of the process, developing their skills, creating art with friends and being able to tell a story.
As Connor points out there is something to be learned from this particular stage production.
“This story deals with tolerance and kindness and not only do I think that is something very important, but relevant right now,” said the CCHS junior.
Connor and her fellow cast mates invite the community to come see and hear the story of Quasimodo as told in The Hunchback of Norte Dame March 6-8 and March 13-15 in the Coal City Performing Arts Center. Reserved seat tickets are available at cchunchback.brownpapertickets.com.