Act 1 Presents “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”

Dillon Parish as Quasimodo (left) and Gabrielle Moseley as Esmeralda (right) in DeSales University’s Act 1 production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Photo by Jack Lerch

Act 1 DeSales University Theatre is pleased to announce the final production of its 53rd season will be the premier run of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” The musical opens on Wednesday, April 26, and runs until Sunday, May 7, on the Main Stage of the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts.

Based on the Victor Hugo novel and the 1996 Disney film with Academy Award nominated songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, this musical tells the famous story of Quasimodo, the deformed bellringer of the great cathedral of Paris who yearns to be free from his sanctuary. When he meets the beautiful Esmeralda, she is the only one who treats him with kindness. He is enchanted by her, but he’s not the only one captivated by her free spirit— she also enthralls the handsome Captain Phoebus and the villainous Frollo.

Menken and Schwartz, who had previously collaborated on the Disney film “Pocahontas,” earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for the “Hunchback” musical score. Songs from the show include “Out There,” “Topsy-Turvy,” and “Someday.”

“In ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame,’ people are judged by their appearance rather than the character within. Through this powerful story with its wonderful music, you learn that beauty comes from within and that everyone deserves kindness.”

Anne Lewis, associate director and head of the division of performing arts.

Dennis Razze, associate professor of theatre, is the director of the production, with Lewis serving as associate director. Recreating the splendor of Paris’ Gothic past in the Notre Dame Cathedral and other sets is Will Neuert, associate professor and head of design, while Amber Stepanik is the costume designer. Eric T. Haugen, assistant professor, serves as lighting designer, and David M. Greenberg, sound designer. Nancy Moser Collins is the music director, and DeSales alumnus Stephen Casey ’89 is the choreographer. Paul Hsun-LIng Chou is the conductor.

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” opens on Wednesday, April 26, and runs through Sunday, May 7, 2023. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m., and Saturday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $34 for adults and $32 for students and seniors Monday through Thursday and $38 for adults and $36 for students and seniors Friday through Sunday. There are two talkback performances with the cast; one on Tuesday, May 2, following the 9:45 a.m. performance and one after the 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 30, performance. Because of the licensing of the play, Act 1 is unable to stream this production.

Students who attend DeSales or any other Lehigh Valley college or university can purchase tickets for $8. Group discounts are available for all performances. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Labuda Center Box Office at 610-282-3192 or by visiting the website at tickets.desales.edu.

To improve accessibility for all patrons, the Saturday, May 6, 2:00 p.m. performance will feature Open Captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing and Audio Descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. During Open Captioned performances, all dialogue and sound effects are presented in real-time on an LED screen that is adjacent to the stage. During Audio Described performances, all action and physical appearances are described live through a headset. Tickets are half price for patrons using these special services on this date. Please call Box Office Manager Eric Pierson at 610-282-3654, ext. 1, for more information.

The Labuda Center is accessible and equipped with a listening enhancement system. Special seating is available for our patrons using wheelchairs or requiring other assistance. Please inform the box office of your needs when ordering tickets.