By Kate Neeley
Four Seasons Theatre Company has something truly beautiful and immensely moving to share in their production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Based on the Disney film, but perhaps a truer depiction of Victor Hugo’s classic novel, you’ll be bathed in powerful music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, with the script by Peter Parnell. Playing now through October 15, 2022, Four Seasons has truly pulled together a musical and theatrical masterpiece you won’t want to miss.
Directed by Kody Rash, and flanked by an all-star production team, you’ll see the beautiful dancing choreographed by Rachelle Walker and enjoy gorgeous vocals music directed by Afton Whitney. Every solo is powerful, and then to hear the combined cast and choir in the group numbers, the singing in this production is truly world class.
With this important story pulling you into the beautiful set built by Lineset Design and Fabrication, your heart will break and heal all at once like you’d been inside the actual cathedral in Paris.
At the hand of stage manager Danny Rash, the show runs seamlessly with lighting and sound to accompany the cast and help tell the story. The stage lighting (Nikayla Nielsen and Beth DeWaal), sound (Justin Wellington and Afton Whitney) and technical elements of the performance add so much.
Such wonderful costumes so perfect to each character really capture their essence and your eye (Kody Rash, Kim Rash,and Mary Savage), and this includes every character from gypsy to priest to peasant in the incredibly talented ensemble. There is certainly no lack of mastery in the dancing either (Rachelle Walker). The gypsies will especially cause you to question if they’re not truly magically hypnotizing you.
Daven Ritchie is elegant and supremely evil as the priest with the enigmatic heart Claude Frollo. His voice is powerful and drives the message of his character flaws home in a poignant way. He stands in juxtaposition with the sweet and incredibly convincing hunchback Quasimodo played by Nathan Allen. His acting is spot on and he sings so well. These two work well together as a true manipulative master and fearful yet loyal subject.
Add in the beautiful and redeeming gypsy Esmeralda played by Lorelle Frank and you’ve got a world class trifecta. Frank’smoving delivery of “God Help the Outcasts” will change you, guaranteed. The other gypsies are beautiful singers and dancers alongside her. Their king, Clopin (Dallin Clark) is especially engaging and another source of light in the darkness.
Phoebus, the soldier turned lover to Esmeralda, is embodied in the tall and handsome Nathan Bohman. With singing and acting fit for a dashing character like Phoebus, he nails the part.
Quasimodo’s friends of stone, the gargoyles in the upper chambers of the cathedral are anything but stiff. Although regal and statuesque when at rest, when they come alive, they offer wise advice, caring camaraderie, and are engaging and so human while they interact with Quasimodo.
The choir perfectly placed in the inner chambers of the cathedral have incredible power when they add their voices. They’re such an asset to the cast, delivering a gorgeous and full sound to the haunting and somehow healing Gothic-esque choral numbers.
Certainly not a light delivery of a deep message, but The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an exceptionally important one. More of a grownup theme in this one. You’ll see yourself in these beautiful characters and will likely find yourself in tears over this incredible story and the lessons your heart will learn.
Four Seasons Theatre Company Presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Book by Peter Parnell, Music by Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz, Michael Starobin, Michael Karosin, based on the novel by Victor Hugo and the Disney film.
October 6 – October 15, 2022
Sky View Auditorium, 520 S 250 E, Smithfield, UT 84335
Tickets: $17 – $20
Contact: 435-535-1432
Four Seasons Theatre Company Facebook Page
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