Don’t Miss The Hunchback of Notre Dame at The Naples Players!

What makes a monster and what makes a man? Venture into the timeless retelling of Victor Hugo’s renowned novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, at The Naples Players (TNP) through July 23rd.

Featuring a 14-piece orchestra, 16-person on-stage choir, Alan Menken’s sweeping score, and Stephen Schwartz’s moving lyrics, sound design by Tony Nominee Joshua Reid and costumes by Disney costume designer Joshua Winchester, The Hunchback of Notre Dame kicked off TNP’s new 2023-2024 season. 

Billed as a “dramatic retelling of the famous love story on a grand scale, with a lush, emotionally rich score,” by Playbill Magazine, the musical features a trove of cherished songs from the Disney classic, including “Out There,” “God Help the Outcasts,” and “Hellfire,” and many new songs and dance numbers.

The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bellringer who longs to be “Out There,” observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the Roma – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is TNP’s first off-site production for this season while their 5th Ave S theater undergoes a $20 million renovation. This production will take place at the Community School of Naples, home of TheatreZone.

“To have the opportunity to see a production of this incredibly grand spectacle of a show in a space as intimate as TheatreZone is a unique experience.” says Music Director Charles Fornara, “[Director] Dawn Lebrecht Fornara’s thoughtful staging, great choreography, and brilliant storytelling is a mere few feet away from every seat.”

After music directing 50 productions at TNP, Fornara claims that “from a musical perspective, this show is shaping up to be one of TNP's very best.”

Director Dawn Lebrecht Fornara and Music Director Charles Fornara lead an all-star ensemble cast of Naples favorites, many of whom have become regular staples of The Naples Players’ most popular shows. The cast includes (in alphabetical order): Jamie Lynn Bucci, Joseph Byrne, Austin Gardner, Eduardo Marin, and Aseem Upadhyay in principal roles; features Brian Boland, Jordan Crawford, Christian Dinsmore, Frankie Federico, Jordan Gersbach, Jillian Keith, Lila Mastro, Sydney Miller, Gia Provinzino, Kelly Rossberg, Matt Schwabauer, David Shaffer, Vanessa Tarabocchia, Lorelai Vega,  Ciaran Welch, and Jack Weld in the ensemble; and features Braxton Cabrera, Jody Cameron, F. Scott Davis, Carolina Grau, Riley Hart, Madeleine Howe, Amy Hughes, Dani Ivanov, Adler Monpremier, Abigail Nelson, Roseann Ruggiero, Lynnelle St. Albord, Cindi Spanier, Fredley Sylvain, Kenny Tran, and Rachel Weiner in the choir.

Now through July 23rd, performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 PM, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Both general public and season tickets are on sale for $39 – $49 at the TNP Box Office. Those interested can visit NaplesPlayers.org anytime or call the TNP Box Office at 239-263-7990.