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OAKLAND — “What makes a monster and what makes a man?”
Victor Hugo raises this question in his novel, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” set in the 1400s in Paris, France. The MHS Players will present this musical adaptation of the classic work, which challenges us to embrace the diversity of the human condition. As can only be appropriate for such a theme, this production brings diversity to the stage, where a cast of students are joined for the first time in MHS theater history with a choir of adults.
Faculty members from across the district will be performing the rich, liturgical score that supports this story set in the famed cathedral — a score that poses additional challenges as it is in Latin. In light of the hearing impairment of the central figure, two of our actors have worked to learn American Sign Language, and audiences may find the pairing of this beautiful language with English both remarkably elegant and powerful. With the additional inclusion of French and Romani, we see both the tragedy and the opportunity that result when different cultures collide.
This multi-lingual production captures the fears during the Middle Ages of people who were disabled or foreign through the story of the tortured hunchback Quasimodo and his unrequited love for gypsy Esmerelda. Though this musical includes songs from the Disney cartoon, audiences should be forewarned that this adaptation, though acceptable for all audiences, may be a little dark for very young children. Shows are Nov 21, 22 and 23 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov 24, at 2 p.m. For information about tickets, call 207-509-1433.
