APPEARS TO BE A SUCCESS

[bugsymalone]

Dennis DeYoung's Hunchback Musical Extended Through Aug. 31 in Chicago

By Kenneth Jones
June 25, 2008

Bailiwick Repertory's Jeff-nominated production of rocker Dennis DeYoung's new musical of Victor Hugo's classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame has been extended to Aug. 31, the Chicago troupe announced.

Bailiwick artistic director David Zak directs the tale of unrequited love featuring the deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo, the tormented priest Fr. Frollo and the gypsy girl Esmerelda.

Solid reviews and full houses prompted the extension.

This is billed as the world-premiere production of the epic musical. The Hunchback of Notre Dame opened May 19 after previews from May 8. The musical has book, music and lyrics by DeYoung, known for song hits "Lady," "Come Sail Away" and "Mr. Roboto."

Technically, this is the world premiere of a revised version of DeYoung's musical, seen in a 1997-98 production by Tennessee Repertory Theatre. The book is new, and it has new musical material, according to director Zak.

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"The soaring ballads and driving musicality of DeYoung's score are a perfect match for this story set against the spires of the world's most beloved cathedral," according to Bailiwick.

The cast includes George Andrew Wolff (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Marriott Theatre's The Producers) as the deformed, lovable hunched-back bell-ringer Quasimodo; Dana Tretta as Esmerelda, the gypsy with a heart of gold; and Jeremy Rill (Satan in Bailiwick's Jerry Springer – The Opera) as the evil priest Frollo.

Jim Rank (a Jeff Award nominee for playing The Baron in Drury Lane Water Tower's Grand Hotel) plays the dashing Phoebus, the brave soldier who wins Esmerelda's heart. Liz Pazik plays Mahiette. Michael Harnichar plays Sergeant Gudule (Jerry Springer – The Opera).

The Hunchback of Notre Dame plays Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and Sundays at 3:30 PM. Tickets are $25 on Thursdays, $35 on Fridays and Sundays, and $45 on Saturdays. (There are no performances on July 3-4.)

For tickets and reservations call (773) 883-1090 or visit www.bailiwick.org.


http://www.playbill.com/news/article/print/118990.html


Bugsy

[sadie65]

You beat me to it. Very happy. Whether one is a fan or not, the production should get a chance to be seen more.

I'm most curious about the "Jeff nomination". Fairly big deal in theatrical circles.

Peace to all

[StyxCollector]

I'm going to get to catch it now that it's been extended. Whew.