The Hunchback of Notre Dame a New Musical based on the Victor Hugo Novel and Songs from the Disney Film – Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Book by Peter Parnell

Bimei Flores and CJ Cruz - Photos by Steve Moyer

By Joe Straw

“A jest is always understood in Paris, and, consequently, always applauded.”  The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Victor Hugo

In June 2010 Ojala! by Jennifer Berry was the first show I saw at Casa 0101. The theatre was located on the north side of the street then, basically a store front, a crammed space with folding chairs on a level floor for the audience. The stage was set higher, and the actors squeezed in their performance into that tiny space. Notably, the acting was at a level higher than what is normally seen in smaller theatres. That was then.

It’s been almost 15 years and Casa 0101 has come a long way. And on this night one can only marvel at the beautiful voices in the opening number setting off a cascade of stunning performances in this standing room only production.

Casa 0101 Theater Presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame a New Musical based on the Victor Hugo Novel and songs from the Disney Film, Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Book by Peter Parnell, directed by Rigo Tejeda and Produced by Emmanuel Deleage in the Gloria Molina Auditorium through December 22, 2024.

Quasimodo (CJ Cruz) was introduced as a normal man, a man without question that could fit in anywhere and at any time in a public forum.  Then, he is fitted with a prosthetic feature that deforms his back. And suddenly the newly painted black on his face gives him the appearance, in the eyes of those who gaze at him, of a wretchedly disfigured man. He is cast aside, hidden in the attic, a stain glassed window among the rafters permeating various light refractions, depending on the time of day, and illuminating the stone-cold grey gargoyles (Jude Monge, Sol Joun, and Gabriella Ortiz) in the Notre Dame Cathedral.

Simply put, Quasimodo’s job is to be the bell ringer, to be out of public eye, and out of communal mind. And finally, there is that one someone who is telling his story.  

Stepping back in time Dom Claude Frollo (Jack Bernaz), now a priest, discovered that his brother Jehan (Sammy J. Kohler) has fallen in love and will leave the abbey to make his life. Frollo loves his brother, doesn’t agree with his choice, but sends him off. Later he reunites with Jehan now very sick, his wife has just given birth and has passed away with Jehan soon to follow. Frollo, in grief, decides to take care of Quasimodo but upon looking at him for the first time in horror, he decides to throw him off a high place before having a change of heart.

Quasimodo, older now, has grown tired of speaking (in his imagination) to the gargoyles and wants human contact outside the Cathedral.  In a disguise of sorts, he comes upon an acting troupe headlined by Clopin (Christopher J. Thumé) a wacky physical specimen of a thespian. Quasimodo also finds Esmeralda (Bimei Flores) and has become enchanted with her singing and dancing in the Festival of Fools but both Phoebus (Drew Maidment) and a ubiquitous and sinister Frollo have set their eyes on her as well, with Frollo having unpriestly like thoughts and ideas.

Rigo Tejeda, the director, manages to do well with this “cast of thousands”.  The night moves smoothly along, and the singing is outstanding. The remarkable thing about this production, and especially the performances of this mostly Latino cast is that Casa 0101 has elevated its game to a level nearing the larger production houses and that, in itself, is a remarkable achievement.

Thinking about the overall production one wonders how to elevate the production with a little more creativity. The show is about someone telling a story.  That someone is the character Clopin.  He is the character that relates Quasimodo’s life. He is the observer, the notetaker, the man who remembers everything. In a larger house, he would probably get a spotlight, and the audience would understand that he is ultimately the storyteller. How that translate to stage is the director’s choice with needed input by the actor.

 

L - R CJ Cruz, Jack Bernaz and Sammy J. Kohler

Jack Bernaz play Dom Claude Frollo from top to bottom all encased in his evil, wicked, ways. A promising humanitarian who munched the core of the wicked fruit and that has turned him quite rancid. Bernaz is wonderful in the role and manages to bring an exciting backstory to the character’s life.

The best thing one can say about CJ Cruz’s performance as Quasimodo is his developed relationships on stage with every character.  It is perfection.  Eyes wide open and curious makes for a marvelous performance.

Bimei Flores has a very sultry singing voice as Esmeralda.  Her manner on stage is excellent.

Sammy J. Kohler does well as Jehan and has a terrific presence on stage. His manner and movement on stage is fluid and his concentration is excellent.

Bomei Flores and Drew Maidment

 

Drew Maidment is terrific as Phoebus a man who truly falls in love with the love of his life.  The Victor Hugo novel describes him as a lustful man, but in the musical, he is a different kind of being. Maidment has a level of concentration that incorporates the two ideas of the man into one character. Whatever he was thinking it worked on so many levels giving Phoebus a rich depth of character.  His performance was marvelous.

Center Christopher J. Thumé

 

Every director’s dream is to have an actor like Christopher J. Thumé as Clopin who will give 150 percent of a physical life to the character.  And there was some wild and wacky stuff going on, on stage. Thumé also has a wonderful voice.

Sol Joun, Jude Monge, and Gabriella Ortiz all with wonderful voices did well as the gargoyles but didn’t have fixed places in the rafters of the Cathedral.  They moved around a lot through Quasimodo imagination but seemed more like props rather than gargoyles hanging from the rafters.

A lot of effort went in to make the music as rich and wonderful throughout the night thanks to Gabrielle Maldonado the musical director. The members of the choir that made it all possible were Briana Bonilla, Chrissi Erickson, Anthonly Galand, Stormi Raii, and Ethan Trejo. Members of the incredible ensemble were Rachel Aspyn, Adré Heimos, Angelica Orenelas, Alyssa Rojas, Kong Vang and Dian Yu.

Marco De Leôn, Set Designer, created a beautiful multi-level set that worked in so many ways and for the actors to create their magic with the help of Lorenzo Tambriz, set builder, and Jeremiah Ocañas and Victor Calderon as set building assistants.

Alejando Lechuga, Costume Designer, performed miracles to create a time and a place for this lavish production with the help of Maia Melendez, Wardrobe Supervisor and Costume Assistant.

Alejandro Parra’s work as Lighting Designer worked on many levels.

Tania Possick’s work as Choreographer kept the action moving through song and dance and was exceptional in many numbers.

Other members of this crew are as follows:

Abel Alvarado – Associate Producer

Joaquín Madrid Larrañaga – Stage Manager

Lorena Marisol Ortega – Prop Master

Steve Moyer – Public Relations

Doreen Sanchez – Assistant Stage Manager

Mark Kraus – Development Director

Oscar Basulto – Box Office Manager

Jorge Villanueva – Facilities Manager

Itzel Ocampo – Graphic Designer/Prop Assistant

Eddie Padilla – Casting Director

Al Aguilar – Production Assistant

Christopher Martinez – Production Assistant

Ellen Arroyo – Fight Coordinator/Intimacy Coach

This is a very lavish production that everyone should see but if you cannot a donation is always welcomed to support all the things they do at www.casa0101.org/support-us. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is playing for one more week.

Tickets:  www.Casa0101.org