The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an immense musical to take on, generally with enormous set pieces, a healthy-sized cast, and many moving parts to convey the large cathedral with stained glass windows, a bell tower, views from the parapet, and the bustling streets of Paris. However, through some creative, collaborative theater magic, The Workhouse Arts Center is in the middle of a run of this monster of a show in their tiny black box theater space in Lorton. A beautiful set design by Matt Liptak divides the stage into sections. Upstage center are two rows of large bells, with columns, supports, and banisters the color of gray stone. And while the constructed bells did not actually ring, Lighting Designer Hailey LaRoe uses a sequence of soft-colored lights to create the illusion of visual soundwaves coming from the belfry. Azaria Oglesby (Esmeralda) and James B. Mernin (Quasimodo) in Disney’s ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame.’ Photo by Matt Liptak. Upstage right, there are large double doors, rounded at the top and painted to appear made entirely of stained glass, in a pattern that hints of the Rose Windows on the Notre Dame herself. The stage floor is also painted in segments, with tiles for the cathedral’s interior and cobblestones for the streets of town. A set of small portable banisters, matching the gray stone, are used frequently, moved around the stage to represent a bridge or to illustrate when looking from the top of the bell tower at the world below. Director Emily “EJ” Jonas does a phenomenal job utilizing every angle and every level of the set to imply the many different locations and uses interweaving blocking, keeping the 18-person cast in constant motion to maintain a quick but natural pacing. Gorgeous choreography by Anna Longenecker enhances Jonas’ direction. The tale begins with some exposition, with some moments acted out but a lot of dialogue, which is effectively accompanied by gracefully stylized dancing to amplify the emotion of the scene. A good portion of the action is guided by Clopin Trouillefou (Ariel Friendly), the leader of the Parisian Roma group, and two Narrators, played by Stacey Yvonne Claytor (1) and Alicia Zheng (2). These three ladies are the heart and soul of this production, and each did an outstanding job carrying the story forward, powerfully accentuating the hate and love, as well as many other contrasts and outright hypocrisies of their world. TOP: Stacey Yvonne Claytor (Narrator 1), Ariel Friendly (Clopin Trouillefou), and Alicia Zheng (Narrator 2); ABOVE LEFT: Azaria Oglesby (Esmeralda) and Noah Mutterperl (Captain Phoebus de Martin); ABOVE RIGHT: Michael McGovern (Claude Frollo), in Disney’s ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame.’ Photos by Matt Liptak. James B. Mernin was wonderful as the abused and overlooked Quasimodo. Mernin’s tone of voice, affected posture, and mannerisms were incredibly done, as was watching his transformation from a belittled ward into a strong-willed and powerfully strong man who fights back against evil and protects the ones he loves. Playing the villainous and deeply conflicted Claude Frollo is Michael McGovern. McGovern displays the utter disgust that Frollo holds for most things outside of the cathedral and wears his discomfort well. Frollo is an antagonist completely absent of redeeming qualities, but must be performed with a passion so that the audience cheers at his demise. And cheer they did. Noah Mutterperl was the levity needed amid all the sadness as Captain Phoebus de Martin, exuding equal parts confidence and allure. With Azaria Oglesby as the mesmerizing Esmeralda, the two made a playful pair with cheeky banter and fun flirtation. In a show with all things grande, the music is no exception. Music Director Paige Austin Rammelkamp had her work set out for her with this powerful score and has created an exquisitely balanced and rich choral sound that mimics the magnitude of the cathedral setting. The songs are full of haunting melodies that pull the heartstrings and layered harmonies that send tingles through your soul. There were many highlights to the musical, such as Oglesby’s Esmerelda divinely singing “God Help the Outcasts.” The glorious vocals in “The Belles of Notre Dame” gave me chills throughout every single reprise. And “Sanctuary” by McGovern’s Frollo was, while gorgeously sung, also deeply moving as the song highlights the synonymous intentions of the word Sanctuary to a Prison, one of multiple amplifications to the themes of isolation, imprisonment, and punishment of the innocent. My absolute favorite, however, was the flawless execution of choreography by featured dancer Rachael Fine. Fine’s movement was nothing short of hypnotic, and the way dance was incorporated into many otherwise still moments in the production added a delicious poetic feel to the entire work. The Workhouse’s Hunchback of Notre Dame is an experience worth having. The music, the movement, the acting, and the technical aspects of the production are wonderfully woven into an unforgettable musical event, with themes of good and evil, redemption, and love. Director Jonas words the message of the material wonderfully in her program note: May you leave inspired to see the beauty in others, embrace those who are different, and recognize the love that bindzs us all together. Congratulations to Jonas on fulfilling her wish with this magnificent piece of theater and to the cast and crew on a job well done. Running Time: Approximately two hours and 30 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission. Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame plays through January 12, 2024, at the Workhouse Arts Center’s W-3 Theater located at 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA. Tickets cost $30 to $40 for general admission or $65 for the New Year’s Eve show, which includes a post-show party with sweet and savory snacks, music and dancing, a cash bar, and a complimentary “bubbly” toast at midnight. Purchase tickets at the box office, online, or by calling 703-584-2900. The playbill for The Hunchback of Notre Dame is online here. COVID Safety: Masks are optional at Workhouse Arts Center for visitors and staff. If you prefer to wear a mask, you are welcome to do so. Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Book by Peter Parnell Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz, Peter Parnell CAST Clopin Trouillefou: Ariel Friendly; Narrator 1: Stacey Yvonne Claytor; Narrator 2: Alicia Zheng; Claude Frollo: Michael McGovern; Jehan Frollo: Preston Grover; Florika/Featured Dancer/Dance and Fight Captain: Rachael Fine; Father Dupin/ St. Aphrodisius: Brandon Schenk; Quasimodo: James B. Mernin; Captain Phoebus de Martin: Noah Mutterperl; Lieutenant Frederic Charlus/ King Louis XI: Darren Badley; Esmeralda: Azaria Oglesby; Madam: Thea Simpson; Swings: Mylo Cluff and Amelia Jacquat; Gargoyle/Others: Alicia Braxton, Rose Hutchison, Cam Powell, Garrett Walsh, and Shelby Young PRODUCTION/CREATIVE TEAM Director/Fight and Intimacy Coordinator: Emily “EJ” Jonas; Music Director-; Paige Austin Rammelkamp; Choreographer: Anna Longenecker; Assistant Director/Associate Intimacy Coordinator: Audrey Baker; Stage Manager: Jay Dews; Assistant Stage Manager: Jasmine Jones; Associate Fight Coordinator: Adian Chapman; Set Design: Matt Liptak; Lighting Design: Hailey LaRoe; Sound Design: Andie Matten; Costume Design: Judith Harmon; Costume Manager: Mikayla Kirr; Hair/Makeup Design: Robin Maline and Lanae Sterrett; Props Design: Martin Bernier; Master Electrician/Light Op: Brian Bachrach; Sound Programmer/Sound Op: Clare Pfeifer; Run Crew: Ziggy Reinert; Costume Assistance: Kevin Donlan ORCHESTRA Keys 1/Conductor: Paige Austin Rammelkamp (Sub Garrett Jones); Keys 2: Garrett Jones (Sub Steve McBride); Reeds 1: Hailey Nowacek (Subs Eunice Richardson, Dana Gardner, Gwyn Jones); Reeds 2: Josh Saville; Trumpet: Monique Abbitt (Sub Allie Woodbury); Violin 1: Rebekah Givens (Subs Audrey Chang, Melody Flores); Violin 2: Cindy Ross (Sub Alex Lew); Cello: Kate Rears (Sub Joan Wolfe) UNDERSTUDIES Quasimodo U/S: Mylo Cluff; Frollo U/S: Brandon Schenk; Esmeralda U/S: Thea Simpson-Diaz; Phoebus U/S: Preston Grover; Clopin U/S: Alicia Zheng; Narrator 1 U/S: Rose Hutchison; Narrator 2 U/S: Alicia Braxton