GVT’s Jenna Sulecki talks about directing The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Lewisburg, WV (WVDN) – The Hunchback of Notre Dame , a collaborative production by Greenbrier Valley Theatre (GVT), Carnegie Hall, and Greenbrier Valley Chorale (GVC), will be presented on July 25, 26, and 27, at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, West Virginia. The show is being directed by GVT’s Artistic Associate Jenna Sulecki. GVT’s Marketing and Communications Director Josh Lapping sat down with Sulecki to discuss the upcoming production.

Lapping: What is it like to lead, as the director, this production – as the first-time community wide collaboration?

Sulecki: Directing Hunchback is a great responsibility that I am honored to be entrusted with. In my 20s, I bounced around from place to place quite a bit, and I never really found myself staying still for long. Moving to Lewisburg three years ago is the first time I have intentionally slowed down and committed to making someplace a home. With that being said, the community has been vital in my sense of belonging here, and so it is a joy to collaborate with so many community members on this production, and to give this gift back to the place I love.

Lapping: What are some of the exciting elements we will see on stage? What are some things that audiences can anticipate?

Sulecki: This is a concert production, so audiences should know that they’re not walking into a fully staged musical with a grand set or elaborate choreography. What they can expect is unparalleled vocals (from the chorale and the principle cast) and an intimate attention paid to the storytelling and heart of the piece. Something really spectacular about concert productions is that when you strip away the frills, what you’re left with is the connection between people–the cast and the audience. There is a greater plea from the characters to the audience to hear their story, to see their hearts. In this regard, audiences can expect to feel very close to this cast and these characters.

Lapping: Can you talk a little bit about the work of casting the core principles?

Sulecki: Because this event is so important to the community, we worked hard to find the perfect person for each role. We went to New York City and auditioned folks there, as well as accepted video submissions from across the country. I did a lot of digging for people who have worked on the musical before and reached out to them to submit for our production. We have a truly spectacular group of people in the principle cast. Julian Decker (Quasimodo) has played the role several times before, including understudying the role in the first ever production of Hunchback. Decker, a Broadway veteran, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role that will be instrumental in the musical’s success. Valerie Torres-Rosario (Esmeralda) recently made her Broadway debut in Camelot , but GVT patrons will remember her from Little Shop of Horrors and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Evan Buckley Harris (Frollo) is also a familiar face at GVT, having performed in Next to Normal and Some Enchanted Evening. Harris has performed the role of Johnny Cash in Million Dollar Quartet in over 1200 performances, so he brings that deep bass vocal resonance to this challenging villain role. Willem Butler (Phoebus) was someone I found on Youtube, of all things. Butler had previously played Quasimodo, but when I reached out to tell him about this production, its importance to our community, and to ask him to submit a tape for Phoebus, he was excited to do so. Butler’s resume is equally impressive, having just finished a national tour of Anastasia, where he played Dmitry. Rounding out the principle cast is Mekhi Holloway (Clopin). Clopin is a challenging role, being at once a narrator and a lens for the audience to view the show. We struggled to find someone for this role, but when I saw Holloway’s tape, I knew he would bring the energy the role needed.

Lapping: What excites you, personally, about directing this show?

Sulecki: I don’t often get to direct musicals, and I miss it! I haven’t directed a musical for GVT yet, so this is much different from what people have come to expect from me. I’m excited to dust off my musical skills and dive into Hunchback. I haven’t directed a musical since 2017, when I directed a production of Godspell in Ireland, and Heathers: The Musical at my alma mater, Gannon University. I have grown substantially as a director since then–obtaining my MFA in Directing and building my resume at GVT–so I’m eager to take all my new skills and apply them to this production.

Lapping: Can you tell me a little about the similarities that audiences may know from the 1990s movie versus what may be different?

Sulecki: I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never seen the movie, and I famously do not engage with or seek out other versions of work that I am directing, so I will probably watch it after our production closes. But my understanding is that the musical draws heavily from the tone of the 1831 novel by Victor Hugo. It’s darker than the movie, but still family friendly. Much of the music is the same, but Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken wrote some new songs for the musical. The gargoyles serve a different purpose to Quasimodo in the musical. In the movie they are very much comedic relief; in the musical they are strong influences and allies for Quasi. Perhaps the biggest difference is the use of the choir. The musical’s addition of a large choir makes the music pack a much larger punch than it does in the movie, so the stakes always seem higher in the musical because of the grandiosity of the choir. The ending of the musical is different from the movie, too, but I won’t give those details away.

Lapping: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Sulecki: I just want to stress what a big deal this production is for these three arts organizations, and to this community. It is a triumph and a celebration of our people. It’s not to be missed.

For Sulecki, 2024 marks a decade since taking her first directing job. Since then, she has enjoyed directing numerous plays and musicals in community theatres, universities, and at her regional theatre home – Greenbrier Valley Theatre. She can occasionally be found in the classroom teaching students of all ages or coaching post-graduates for MFA programs and auditions. Sulecki holds a BA in Theatre and Communication Arts from Gannon University and an MFA in Directing from the University of Portland.

Performances of The Hunchback of Notre Dame , featuring nationally recognized actors and professional choreography, costumes and lighting, will take place at Carnegie Hall on Thursday and Friday, July 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. There will be two performances on Saturday, July 27, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.  Tickets are available online at www.carnegiehallwv.org, or at the Carnegie Hall box office, 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV, (304) 645-7917.

This program is presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

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