Hillbarn Theatre Kicks Off Its 2017–18 Season with THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME

Hillbarn Theatre, the Peninsula's premier theatre company, kicks off its 2017-18 season with the Peninsula premiere of the epic new musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame (August 24-September 10, 2017). Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame begins as the bells of Notre Dame resound through the famed cathedral in 15th-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be "Out There," observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda.

Quasimodo isn't the only one captivated by her free spirit, though - the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the gypsies-and it's up to Quasimodo to save them all. With a book by Peter Parnell and new songs by Alan Menken (Newsies, Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid) and Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell), audiences will be swept away by the magic of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame will perform at Hillbarn Theatre (1285 East Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City). Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Press night for The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be Friday, August 25, 2017. Single tickets range in price from $35-$50 and are available now by calling 650.349.6411 ext. 2 or visiting www.hillbarntheatre.org.

Says Hillbarn Theatre's Executive Artistic Director Dan Demers: "What is most powerful about The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the show's theme of loving and accepting others who are different than ourselves. This is a timely and important message for the world today. Coupled with the powerful music and lyrics of Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, this production will leave audiences filled with hope as we enter into our 77th Season."

Led by Randy Ohara as Quasimodo and Amandina Altomare* as Esmerelda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame features an ensemble cast including (in alphabetical order) Christine Baker, Ryan Doyle, Luke Hamilton*, Daniel Joseph Harper, Angela Harrington, Sammi Hildebrandt, Joshua Lau, Jasmine Lew, Jack O'Reilly, Brian Palac, Nicole Roca, and Catherine Traceski.
*Member of Actors' Equity Association

Directed by Riley Costello, the creative team for The Hunchback of Notre Dame includes Sarah Terman (Stage Manager), Matthew Bourne (Music Director), Jeanne Batacan-Harper (Choreographer), Sharon Peng (Costumes, Hair & Make-Up Designer), Pam Gray (Lighting Designer), Ting Na Wang (Prop Designer), Alan Chang (Sound Designer) and Bo Golden (Scenic Designer).

Up next, Hillbarn Theatre presents Larry Shue's award-winning comedy, The Foreigner (October 5-22, 2017), followed by the hit thriller The Woman in Black (October 26-29, 2017). This holiday season, Hillbarn will present everyone's favorite musical, Annie (November 30-December 17, 2017). Kicking off the new year, Hillbarn Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning play, Peter and the Starcatcher (January 18-February 4, 2018). In spring 2018, Hillbarn Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning drama The Elephant Man (March 8-25, 2018), based on the life of John Merrick. Next, Hillbarn Theatre is proud to present the national premiere of the one man show, When That I Was... (March 29-31, 2018). Hillbarn Theatre closes out its 2017-18 season with the raucous and acclaimed musical, The Full Monty (May 3-20, 2018), based on the cult film of the same name.

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