www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 1-7, 2024 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 29 ONSTAGE The Western Stage at Hartnell College in Salinas reopened last Saturday, July 27 with its take on The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a 1831 classic novel by French writer Victor Hugo that reached the big screen first in 1923, again in 1939. Disney produced a family-friendly animated version in 1996, which was then turned into a musical. That’s the one the Western Stage— celebrating its 50th anniversary this season—chose, taking us to 1482 Paris and the inside of the Catholic cathedral Notre-Dame de Paris, where a poor hunchback, Quasimodo, lives. Christian McCooey is a touching Quasimodo with a compelling voice; the same can be said about the object of his love, a courageous and big-hearted Roma dancer, Esmeralda, played by Rosie Quintana. The movie and the musical got modified for the American audience to deliver a relatively happy ending. Esmeralda is not hanged, but escapes her cruel fate. Still, the misogyny, racism and the privilege of the clergy is abundant, and the sadness of Quasimodo’s lot is overwhelming. That’s life in France under king Louis XI. Still, the crowd on the dangerous streets of Paris is fun and not afraid to criticize the world order, celebrating the annual medieval Festival of Fools, where everything is “topsy-turvy” and beggars become kings for a day. Gargoyles, the stone companions of the hunchback, offer comic relief too. The orchestra is hidden in the underbelly of this beautiful theater, but makes its presence felt through orchestration by Michael Starobin. The director is M. William Shiner, music director is Don Dally and choreographer is Camrin E. Dannelly. Additional music vocal arrangement is by Michael Kosarin and dance arrangement by Rob Berman. The Notre Dame on stage puts you there, with many steps and convincing balconies furthered by a projection of the real cathedral. Lighting effects follow the mood, with deep red, mournful blue and optimistic yellow. The bells are authentic enough to make poor Quasimodo deaf. While the hunchback’s love for Esmeralda remains unrequited—the beautiful dancer chooses another lover, Captain Phoebus De Martin (played by Dale Thompson)—no one ends up with hard feelings. The Hunchback of Notre Dame 7:30pm Saturdays and 2pm Sundays, Aug. 3-18. The Western Stage, Hartnell College, 411 Central Ave., Building K, Salinas. $30. 755-6816, westernstage.com. RICHARD GREEN Spine Tingling A vivid and powerful musical adaption of The Hunchback of Notre Dame from The Western Stage. By Agata Pop˛eda Quasimodo (Christian McCooey) experiences happiness for the first time, talking to and falling in love with Esmeralda (Rosie Quintana), shown above at a rehearsal. Real Men, Real Life, Real Results “At its core Breakthrough is about being the best man you can be” - Breakthrough Graduate Now registering for Fall Workshops Change IS possible. Start your best life now. LIFE TOOLS FOR MEN For information or to attend a FREE introductory session email enrollment @breakthroughformen.org 877 BROADWAY AVE SEASIDE MIMOSAS AVO TOAST BISCUIT SANDO AND MORE! FOOD SPECIALS $1 OFF DRAFTS SEPT. 6 AUG. 2 JULY 5 CONCERT SERIES 5-7PM JEWELL PARK ALL AGES FREE cityofpacificgrove.org SEPT. 6 AUG. 2 JULY 5 CONCERT SERIES 5-7PM JEWELL PARK ALL AGES FREE cityofpacificgrove.org Discover Pacific Grove concert series 5-7pm jewell Park all ages free auG.2 sePt.6
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