Encore Performing Arts presented The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Steinmetz Hall of the Dr. Phillips Center of the Performing Arts (445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL). I went to sketch the dress rehearsal and two of the performances were already sold out. Hunchback features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and the book by Peter Parnell. It is based on the Victor Hugo novel and the songs from the Disney Feature Animated film. Since I worked on the film, the songs were well entrenched in my memory banks.
This re-imagined retelling of the Victor Hugo classic unfolds in the 2019 fire damaged Notre Dame cathedral. Drop cloths dangle from the upper balconies and scaffolding in place for the restoration. The shows theme of persecuting anyone who is different than ourselves resonates now more than ever with ICE agents kidnapping workers at their job sites. It is so easy to use fear of “others” to fuul division. There is hope in the ruins although man’s darker urges seem indomitable.
Three tiers of chorus dominated the upper balconies all dressed in dark robes. A full orchestra was on stage as well creating a wall of orchestral music. When the full chorus sang Entr’ acte at the start of act two they were illuminated in a magical aqua infused light from below. The broken round stained glass window glowed brightly high above the stag.
In many ways I preferred this stage production to the animated classic. The themes of the story were dark and rich being suited for an adult audience rather than keeping saccharine story lines for children and their parents. Quasimodo (Dante Payne)is told he is a monster by his charge Frollo (Arthur Rowan) but it is what is inside that defines a man. Compassion and empathy surface in Quasimodo while mans darker instincts take over Frollo’s mind and actions.Esmerelda (Alexis Delarosa) performed a magnificent dance with blue streamers flashing a bright blue in sinewy flowing lines.
Before a full run of the show, Dante Payne must have been testing his microphone, and he joyfully tested his vocal chords performing a series of notes and passages. The strength of his voice had me floored.
the cast of literally hundreds and the dark lighting set me up for a challenging sketch, but the bold music inspired me to keep pushing through to finish up what I had started. Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Final Performance Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Time: 7:30 p.m.