SAAC Announces Cast for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”

The South Arkansas Arts Center cast ot "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."
The South Arkansas Arts Center cast ot "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

The South Arkansas Arts Center has announced the cast of their summer musical production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” sponsored by Murphy USA and slated to run July 18-21 and 24-28.

The classic tale tells the story of Quasimodo, a misshapen and sensitive man living high above the City of Paris, locked in the Notre Dame cathedral’s bell towers. He learns to accept himself and break free from the clutches of Dom Claude Frollo, archdeacon of the church, after meeting Esmerelda, a free-spirited gypsy woman who recognizes Quasimodo’s humanity from the start.

The musical version of Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel is elevated to a new dimension with its soaring ensemble musical numbers, terrific talking statues, a glorious, colorful festival and the massive cathedral, complete with the bells of Notre Dame all gracing the stage.

Playing the part of bell-ringer and recluse Quasimodo is Joshua Purvis, a new face to the SAAC stage. Purvis attends Texas A&M at Commerce in Commerce, Texas, where he is majoring in theater education.

Lainey Walthall, a long-time SAAC stage veteran, will play Esmerelda, the beautiful gypsy woman who helps Quasimodo break his metaphorical chains. Seen recently as Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and Sally Brown in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” Walthall has been one of the faces of SAAC theater for several seasons.

Dom Claude Frollo, the not-so-priestly priest, will be portrayed by Rolan Bradfute, another experienced SAAC actor. His recent characters include Lurch in “Addams Family — The Musical,” the understudy for Cogsworth and Maurice in “Beauty and the Beast,” and William St. Claire in “The 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol.”

Jonathan Randle will play the role of Clopin Trouillefiou, King of the Gypsies and narrator of Quasimodo’s story. Randle is another familiar face on the SAAC stage, having recently been seen as Jose in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” Captain Scott in “Peter and the Starcatcher” and Shermy in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Phoebus De Martin, an unlikely hero to Quasimodo and Esmerelda, will be played by Joel Cheshier. His SAAC credits include the Tin Man in “The Wizard of Oz,” Gaston in “Beauty and the Beast” and the pirate Blackstache in “Peter and the Starcatcher.”

Notre Dame’s iconic gargoyles are an integral part of the show, reflecting Quasimodo’s emotions such as fear, happiness, excitement and strength. The Gargoyles will be portrayed by Kesynce Brewster-Daniels, Carmelo Brown, Josie Denson, Hannah Hopson and Maggie Phillips.

The ensemble, which in “Hunchback of Notre Dame” we will call the Congregation, will variously play townspeople, church-goers and other walk-ons. The Congregation will be filled out by Kenneth Burns, Clay Evers, Abby Cate, Nathan Gunter, Jacarllus Hill, Tallis Kyle, Mike Means, Lani Misenheimer, Bob Stephenson, Abby Triplet and Jazz VanAssche.

One of the most striking elements of the production is the Cathedral Choir, who will literally sing from the rafters of the stage. The choir is composed of Addie Bosanko, Deanna Hopson, Charlsie Langley, Betsy Phillips, Hali Pinson, Tracey Wilson-Rice, Braelyn Allen, Daisy Bright, Bekah Gunter, Lynn Gunter, Shana Williams, Lauri Wilson, David Kinard, Mike McAvoy and Richard Wharton.

Their presence punctuates the score with both secular and sacred text to add a depth of texture rarely found in musical theater. The Cathedral Choir is the musical equivalent to the “Rose Windows” of Notre Dame, taking the audience to places both light and dark.

“It’s going to be a journey for the cast and can be a journey for the audience as well if they come with their ears on, ready to listen and hear the underlying story,” said D. Brent Miller, music director for the production.

For more information, please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474 or visit the website at www. saac-arts.org. SAAC is located at 110 East Fifth Street, El Dorado, Arkansas.

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