Lewisburg arts organizations’ first-time collaboration set to present The Hunchback of Notre Dame

LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – For the first time, Greenbrier Valley Theatre (GVT), Carnegie Hall, and Greenbrier Valley Chorale (GVC), have teamed up to present a spectacular staged concert version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame on Thursday, July 25, at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, July 27, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, West Virginia. The production features over 50 performers, including nationally recognized actors, professional choreography and lighting, and a full chorus, all on the Hamilton Auditorium stage.

Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by composers Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. Menken composed music for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Enchanted, just to name a few. Schwartz scored and composed music for Godspell, Wicked, Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt, among others. Peter Parnell’s new book embraces story theatre and features verbatim passages from Victor Hugo’s novel.

Greenbrier Valley Theatre provides the cast and production crew and designed the set, costume, choreography, and lighting. The 12-member cast, including five members of Actors’ Equity Association, is a diverse group of actors from different parts of the country. “I feel like we’re very lucky to be able to bring in our actors and guest from New York City, who have done Broadway, sung in opera, and then perform this music with the GVC,” exclaims GVT’s Producing Artistic Director Paul Stancato.

Members of the cast include (in alphabetical order) Ian Brady (Congregant, Jehan Frollo, Quasimodo U/S), Willem Butler* (Quasimodo), Julie Cepec (Congregant), Brandon Grimes* (Captain Phoebus de Martin), Evan Buckley Harris* (Claude Frollo), Mekhi Holloway (Clopin Trouillefou), Erin Jerozal*
(Congregant, Madam), Allyn Faith Jones (Congregant, Florika, Esmeralda U/S), Josh Lapping (Congregant),  Dorothy Jo Oberfoell (Congregant), Adam Jeffrey Rossi (Lieutenant Frederic Charlus), Valerie Torres-Rosario* (Esmeralda), and Garrett Shin (Congregant, Saint Aphrodisius).

Willem Butler* has recently been seen in the Broadway National Tour of Anastasia the Musical as Dmitry, Fulton Theatres production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Gad, and Bigfork Summer Playhouses production of Jersey Boys as Frankie Valli.

Brandon Grimes* is a NYC-based actor, singer, and composer/lyricist. He’s thrilled to return to Greenbrier County where he last played Billy in Some Enchanted Evening and Trout Shue in The Greenbrier Ghost. He has performed with the Boston Symphony where he played Henry Ford in Ragtime alongside several Tony Nominees and Broadway legends. He also created the role of the Messerschmidt triplets in the world premiere of MacGyver: The Musical and can be found on the concept album on Spotify and Apple Music. National Tours include Jekyll and Hyde , All is Calm ;  Off-Broadway: Calamity Jane (Musicals Tonight);  Regionally credits include Cabaret (Cliff- Peterborough Players), Julius Caesar (Brutus – Hanover Theatre), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd- CLOC), Company (Bobby – Texas Rep), Hamlet (Laertes – Colonial Theatre), Man of La Mancha (New Rep), The Producers (Barnstormers), Pirates of Penzance (Ordway Center), 1776 (Cape Playhouse);  Film: The Compatriots , Abominable , and A Hot Tin Menagerie of Desire . TV credits include Titans of Hollywood (Curiosity Stream);

Erin Jerozal* was last seen at GVT in Steel Magnolias and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Erin earned her MFA in Classical Acting from the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC and has her BFA in Musical Theater from Syracuse University. She has worked off-Broadway and regionally, highlights include: The Secret Garden, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well. . ., and Hamlet. Erin has worked for over 20 years as a medical educator, teaching communication skills for medical schools throughout the country.

Valerie Torres-Rosario* is a Puerto Rican artist based in New York City. Previous productions at GVT include “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” Broadway: Camelot. Regional: The Fantasticks, Evita, Noises Off!, ONCE, The Little Mermaid, In the Heights, West Side Story. Education: BFA, University of Florida. Proud client of the Hell’s Kitchen Agency.

Evan Buckley Harris* lives in New York City and some notable roles include Will in Some Enchanted Evening at GVT Doctor Madden in GVT’s production of Next to Normal, Johnny Cash in Million Dollar Quartet (Norwegian Cruise Line/ Las Vegas/ ‘15-’16 Nt’l Tour), Memphis (Huey), All Shook Up (Chad), and Hairspray (Corny Collins). He will be directing and music directing GVT’s Fall production of Million Dollar Quartet!

The Production Staff includes Jenna Sulecki (Director), Patrick Summers (Music Director), Jenna Fawn Brown (Costume Design), E. Tonry Lathroum** (Lighting Design), Arron Seams (Sound Engineer), Ashton Webb (Properties Design), Julie Cepec (Movement Coordinator), Richard Crowell (GVT Production Manager), Jason Dow (GVT Technical Director), Elizabeth Salisch* (Production Stage Manager), and Mallory Topel*(Assistant Stage Manager).

“Working with GVT and GVC has been fun and educating, but also challenging. We have learned so much about each organization,” according to Carnegie Hall President and CEO Cathy Rennard. “We’re learning and growing together which will knit us together for many years to come.”

Performances of The Hunchback of Notre Dame will take place at Carnegie Hall on July 25, 26, and 27. Tickets are available online at www.carnegiehallwv.org, or at the Carnegie Hall box office, 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV, 304-645-7917.

This FY25 Community Arts project 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.

*Denotes Member of Actors’ Equity Association; **Denotes Member of United Scenic Artists

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