The Hunchback of Notre Dame at CV Center for the Arts

photo courtesy of Darrell Lavin/ www.lavinphotos.com

Danila Burshteyn as Quasimodo in “Hunchback” presented by Castro Valley Arts Foundation and TMC Arts. The summer musical runs July 26 to August 4 at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts.

Producer Dayna Speed knew that this year’s summer musical at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts would have to be something special following the success of last season’s Bright Star. Speed admits that she loves to introduce audiences to new shows and chose another lesser-known musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, as this summer’s blockbuster. Presented by Castro Valley Arts Foundation and TMC Arts, Hunchback runs July 26-August 4. The stage production includes the sweeping Menken and Schwartz score of the Disney animated film and the epic story of the 1831 Victor Hugo novel of love and acceptance. It explores what it means to be truly human. “Above all,” Speed shared, “I want to present shows that move people and Hunchback fits the bill in spades!”

“The interest in this show. has been phenomenal,” said Speed.  The artistic team comes from all over the Bay Area. Director Enrico Banson is joined by Music Director Christopher Hewitt, Choreographer Katherine Cooper, Scenic Designer Carrie Mullen, Sound Designer Joshua Price, and Lighting Designer Mark Decker. Susanna Susoeff is directing the Castro Valley High Alumni Chorale. “This group of professionals is unmatched!” shared Banson. He explained that at the beginning of every project he asks, “What is the story we want to tell? Whose journey is it?” He sees Hunchback as a tale of redemption and references the lyrics of one of the show's songs, “Someday”: “Someday when we are wiser…to live and let live.” As his team crafts the story, they create a divisive world where connections can only be bridged through kindness, listening, and putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. 

Come see Danila Burshteyn as Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer; Matthew Liebowitz as Dom Claude Frollo, the conflicted archdeacon; Solona Husband as Esmeralda, the fiery Romani woman; and the rest of the exceptional cast. For those of us who never read the weighty tome, we will finally understand the universality of this classic tale.

Tickets are available at cvartsfoundation.org or 510-889-8961. 19501 Redwood Road. Parking is free. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is appropriate for Middle School audiences and older.