Tower Theater transformed into gothic cathedral for ‘Hunchback of Notre Dame’

Ringing bells and a throng of voices will reverberate across the Tower Theater-turned cathedral as Alluvion Stage Company brings the Virginia premiere of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to Liberty University this evening. The show, produced by Liberty’s professional theater company (allowing students to perform alongside industry veterans), runs through Oct. 2.

With 98 people involved, this is Liberty’s largest production to date. The 50-person cast includes an 18-member choir, helping bring to life the iconic Notre Dame cathedral.

According to Linda Nell Cooper, Alluvion’s creative director, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” features one of the best scores ever in a Broadway musical. The musical is based on Disney’s 1996 animated film (which was an adaptation of Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel of the same name) and has most of its Oscar-nominated music.

Bells on set complemented by the powerful voices give weight to the gothic tone and religious themes, making for a sound that audiences will feel just as well as they hear.

On Sept. 8, B. A. Huffman, whose extensive Broadway résumé includes being the music director for the original production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” made a special trip to Liberty to see a rehearsal.

“He wanted to hear how our voices handled the extremely difficult score and he said it was just glorious,” Cooper said. “It was quite an honor to have him be our guest. It was humbling. It reminded us what a huge responsibility that we have being the first one in Virginia allowed to produce it.” Less than a dozen licenses were granted to put on the show this year.

She added that Huffman generously stayed after the rehearsal, answering questions for about two hours.

Set in 15th century France, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” tells the story of hunchback Quasimodo, a church bell-ringer who is kept locked away from society by a clergyman due to his physical appearance. As the hunchback befriends, and seeks to protect, a beautiful Gypsy named Esmeralda, the tale teaches that there is more to people than meets the eye.

“Esmeralda is shunned because she is a Gypsy. Only Quasimodo sees her internal beauty; everyone else just sees her external beauty. Quasimodo is shunned because of his deformity; Esmeralda sees the beauty inside of him,” Cooper said. “You cannot condemn or judge someone simply because they look a certain way.”

Audiences should easily be able to relate to the characters, she added.

“Everybody at some point in their life has felt as if they don’t fit in — that they’re not part of the mainstream or that they have been stereotyped in some way.”

While the foreboding gothic cathedral looms overhead, it reminds audiences to look past the institutions of man when seeking God.

“Though the church is meant to be a sanctuary for those in need, in the production it becomes used to take advantage of others,” Cooper said. “But the priest is not God, the archdeacon is not God; they are human. God is bigger than Notre Dame. God is bigger than Paris. God is bigger than Europe. Oftentimes people want to limit God to the inside of a church. But He is bigger than us. God reaches out to the outcast.”

While many may look to towering cathedrals and glimmering trinkets, Quasimodo teaches us to find God in a personal way.

“He understands who God is because he can feel God’s presence,” Cooper said, noting that genuine faith impacts one’s character. “Quasimodo has such a generous spirit. He just sees nothing but the positives of life; he sees the good in everyone. I think that is an important reminder to us all.”

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (434) 582-SEAT (7328). On the night of a performance, call the Tower Box Office at (434) 582-2085.

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” show times

Sept. 16, 17, 23, 24, 30*, Oct. 1 – 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 1 – 2 p.m.
Sept. 18, 25, Oct. 2 – 3 p.m.
Sept. 21, 28 – 10 a.m. (Open to school groups only – Call 434-582-7899 for more information)
Talkback Performance* | ASL Interpreted Performance ~

The show is recommended for children 10 years of age or older.