Deaf Actor John McGinty Explains Why Being Cast in HUNCHBACK LA Premiere is 'Huge'

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the Los Angeles premiere production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, will feature John McGinty as Quasimodo. This will be the first time that the character, who is deaf in the original novel, will be played by a deaf actor.

In a recent interview with the Sacramento Bee, McGinty explained: "First I'm thinking, 'What are they thinking?' Are they expecting me to come in and sing? If I come in and sing, they're going be like, 'Agghh!' I tried to bring the authenticity of the character because this production is not following the Disney movie, this is not following the novel. I'm going to show what Quasimodo would communicate in the real world. How he would speak even though his speech is not clear."

He continued: "I am hoping this will hopefully allow Disney to open more doors and write deaf characters for whatever the next production is. I think that is so important and I need to thank Disney and everyone for making this happen - it's huge."

Click here to read the full interview.

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME will preview on Friday, September 16, 2016 (with a press opening on Saturday, September 17) and run through Sunday, October 9, 2016 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada.

This brand new musical is the only stage collaboration from two masters of American musical theatre, Alan Menken (Disney's The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast) and Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin). With a lush, emotionally rich score and beautiful choral arrangements, it's a dramatic retelling of the epic but tragic Victor Hugo novel. Darker than the Disney film, closer in plot to the novel, the musical showcases the film's Oscar-nominated score and introduces stunning new songs.

The Cast for THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME features John McGinty as Quasimodo, Dino Nicandros as the singing voice of Quasimodo, Cassie Simone as Esmeralda, Mark Jacoby as Frollo, Keith A. Bearden as Clopin, Eric Kunze as Phoebus and the ensemble features: Brandon Burks, Doug Carfrae, Cherrie Badajos Cruz, Emily Dauwalder, Rachel Farr, Lance Galgon, Hannah Madeleine Goodman, Devon Hadsell, William Martinez, Kevin McMahon, Shanon Mari Mills, Shannon Stoeke, Stephanie Thiessen and Paul Zelhart.