An epic staging of ‘Hunchback’

The next production on the stage of Golden West College is, according

to its director, “an intense, piercing exploration of one man’s

descent into the darker regions of the human psyche.”

If this sounds a little overwhelming, it probably is -- certainly

for director Tom Amen, who refers to his upcoming project, “The

Hunchback of Notre Dame,” as “the most difficult production I’ve ever

undertaken.”

The epic drama, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, will unfold at

the Mainstage Theater beginning on Nov. 4. Amen and his large cast

and crew are working to render this one of the college’s most

memorable productions.

Playgoers may recall Hugo as the creative force whose novel

inspired the musical “Les Miserables.” This one is cut from the same

cloth, but without the stirring musical score.

“It is technical, complex, highly theatrical, physically demanding

and emotionally charged,” Amen said. “Thankfully, we’ve assembled an

outstanding cast and an exceptional design team, and we are working

very hard to bring this monumental story to the stage in a way that

will do justice both to Victor Hugo’s novel and Charles Morey’s

adaptation of it.”

Amen reserves particular praise for Morey, the current artistic

director of the Pioneer Theater Company who also was Amen’s mentor in

the directing program at the University of Utah.

“It always is an enormous challenge, not to mention a considerable

risk, to adapt a novel for the stage,” the director said. “This is

particularly true in the case of a time-honored classic like ‘The

Hunchback of Notre Dame.’ However, Chuck has managed to condense

Hugo’s sprawling novel in a way that streamlines the dramatic action

and intensifies the emotional impact of the story.”

Amen believes that even audience members who know the story may be

in for some surprises.

“Our production represents the Southern California premiere of the

play, so I can virtually guarantee that it will be completely new to

our audiences,” he said. “Furthermore, this adaptation is more

faithful to the original novel than any I have encountered.

“This is not the Disney version, nor is it the Charles Laughton

version that many people are familiar with. This is a haunting,

shattering but ultimately uplifting adult drama that is bursting with

theatricality. It makes for a very powerful evening of theater.”

In the Golden West production, Joshua Matheson assumes the title

role of Quasimodo, the hunchback bell-ringer. Laci Patterson is cast

as Esmerelda, the gypsy girl, and Tony Zeller will portray Dom Claude

Frollo, archdeacon of the Cathedral of Notre Dame. They head a cast

of 30 actors playing about 45 characters.

“There was such a fantastic turnout for our auditions that I

actually broke apart several smaller supporting roles in an effort to

include as many talented people as possible,” Amen said. “I think

that says a lot about the commitment and ensemble spirit of our

talent pool.”

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” will be presented Fridays and

Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. during the first three

weekends of November, with ticket prices set at $12 for general

admission and $10 for students and senior citizens. Advance

reservations may be obtained by contacting the theater box office at

(714) 895-8150.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.