‘Hunchback’ takes the stage at Bishop Hendricken

WARWICK —Performed for the first time on a local high school stage, The Arts at Bishop Hendricken presented “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” as its fall musical from Dec. 6-9 at the Dr. Daniel S. Harrop Theatre on the campus of the Warwick high school.

The production featured more than 70 student actors, technicians, and musicians from various Catholic, public, and private schools from around the state of Rhode Island. It also featured a chorus of students, program alumni and faculty. The production was spearheaded by a creative team of Hendricken faculty, staff and alumni.

Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, the musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in 15th-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be “Out There,” observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Quasimodo joins Captain Phoebus and Frollo in being captivated by her free spirit. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the gypsies – with Quasimodo poised to save them all.

“Bishop Hendricken is proud to be the Rhode Island high school premiere for this epic show,” said Richard Sylvia, Director of Arts. “Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz have been able to capture the messages of love and acceptance for those who are different through their beautiful music. It’s a story about finding a hero where you never thought you would.”