A sound blares through the streets of 15th century Paris. The bells of Notre Dame ask: what makes a monster, and what makes a man?
Fog opens the musical, with hooded figures carrying an eerie, majestic air. This is Notre Dame, the choir haunts with a harmonized Kyrie Eleison while Archdiocese Frollo reminds everyone that we are all born sinners.
The Saint Louis University (SLU) Center of Culture and the Arts (SLU-CCA) pulls the rope to ring the bell in their production of Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” from Music Theatre’s International’s production at Fr. Joseph Van den Daelen CCA Theater from 24 to 27 March 2026.
The production explores the origins of the Hunchback, Quasimodo, alongside a Frollo faithful to the original book. It then trudges further with a telling of Quasimodo’s life in the tower, crossing paths with the Romans. A particular Romani dances her way through the center of the story–Esmeralda. Her movement imprints her in the halls of the Notre Dame Cathedral and the life of Quasimodo.
The CCA production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo. It featured songs from the 1996 Disney film of the same name, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and book by Peter Parnell. Musically directed by CCA head Normita Rio-Pablico, she served as the production’s Executive Producer.
Attending to watch along with the Louisian community and their friends and family were University President Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD and Vice President for Administration Atty. Shellah Yzanne P. Merced.
SLU CCA’s rendition of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a masterclass in musical and technical artistry. The ensemble and animated movements show the vivacious nature of Esmeralda and the Romani culture. The choreography was an enticing treat for the audience, with the faldeo of skirts faithful to Romanian dance. This is accompanied by dances and rhythms that set the scene perfectly for Notre Dame.
Quasimodo was seen by Frollo as the consequence of his brother’s actions: a monster, a cross to bear, and a sin. Despite difficulty, Quasimodo answers Notre Dame back from the Cathedral towers: while hatred and discrimination can be taught, love is found in human nature and prevails. (Article by Kathleen Therese Catingub, UIO Intern | Photos by Kemm Mitchell Olarte, UIO Intern)
