If you go
› What: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”› Where: Cumberland County Playhouse, 221 Tennessee Ave., Crossville, Tennessee› When: Multiple shows June 15-Aug. 19› Admission: $18, $32, $34› For more information: 931-484-5000
Cumberland County Playhouse will present the spellbinding musical "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," based on the classic gothic novel by Victor Hugo, beginning Friday, June 15, continuing through Sunday, Aug. 19. The theater is located in Crossville, Tennessee.
"We are really looking forward to stunning our viewers with this production," says director Bryce McDonald.
"Everything about this production is timelessly beautiful and our talented cast and crew are pulling out all the stops to make this show one of the most breathtaking spectacles ever to grace the Mainstage," he says.
As the musical begins, the audience meets Claude Frollo (Britt Hancock), Archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral and the devious caretaker of the young and disfigured Quasimodo (Ross Griffin).
Since childhood, Quasimodo has been locked away in the towers of Notre Dame as the cathedral's bell-ringer, but dreams of one day escaping and becoming part of the outside world. After plucking up enough courage to venture into the streets of Paris during The Feast of Fools, he meets Esmeralda, (Lexi Brie) a beautiful gypsy who defends Quasimodo after the crowds torment him because of his deformities.
As Quasimodo falls for Esmeralda, he discovers that she has also captured the interest of Frollo as well as the dashing Captain Phoebus de Martin (Grayson Yockey). As Frollo plots to destroy the gypsies and Quasimodo fights to foil his evil plans, the audience is left to ponder, "What makes a monster and what makes a man?"
Also featured are Aaron Atkinson as gypsy king Clopin Trouillefou, Chris Hallowes as Frollo's younger brother Jehan, Hannah Hays as Quasimodo's gypsy mother Florika, Matthew Ruff as King Louis XI, Blake Graham as Lt. Frederic Charlus and Richard Lisenby as Saint Aphrodisius.
Completing the ensemble are Darbi Banegas, Kathryn Berman, Ellie Burnett, Cory Clark, Harli Cooper, Jensen Crain-Foster, Toby Davis, Matthew Dupee, DeAnna Etchison, Carol Irvin, Emma Jordan, Rachel Lawrence, Lenny Lively, Lauren Marshall, Shelbi Metts, Patty Payne, Alex Reaves, Natasha Ricketts, Michael Ruff, Caitlin Schaub and Kyle Ward.
The score features songs from the Disney animated film by Alan Menken ("The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin") and Stephen Schwartz ("Godspell," "Pippin," "Wicked").
"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is for all ages, telling an epic story of love, acceptance and what it means to be a hero. However, it is rated PG as it contains some material that may not be suitable for children. Playhouse management encourages parents to watch the Disney cartoon in advance and use their judgment based on their child's age and maturity level as to whether the child should attend the play.
Tickets may be reserved by calling 931-484-5000 or visiting www.ccplayhouse.com.