Eastlake students bring ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ to life
Eastlake High School’s drama department will kick off their season this November with their first production, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
This musical production, based on Victor Hugo’s novel from 1831, is a different genre compared to what Eastlake has done in the past. Eastlake’s previous productions, such as Chicago and Beauty and the Beast, were shows that focused more on entertainment and had an uplifting feel.
“We really haven’t done a musical that’s [like] serious and with a message,” said Kate Wold, Eastlake’s theater class teacher. ”I think it’s good for our community to talk about what really has or has not changed much in terms of sexism, racism, and ableism from way back then. Obviously some things have, but I think the fact that’s so relatable says a lot about our society today.”
While the themes of Hunchback are more serious, the musical is put in a format that is both thought invoking and easy to understand for younger children. Mannat Gupta, a junior and a featured dancer, said that since the play is based on a Disney movie, it will be easy for younger children to understand its lessons.
“I just want people to take away the fact that musicals aren’t always just about entertainment… but there’s an aspect of it that’s also about the real world,” said Devi Anand, an Eastlake junior who plays Florika in Hunchback. “Musicals have good morals that we can always take away from them, and Hunchback is an excellent example.”
After auditioning in June, students have been rehearsing since August to get this production ready for the community. During the school year, the cast practices daily after school with rehearsals ending around 7:00 p.m. regularly. As the show comes around the corner, the cast makes final preparations, often rehearsing as late as 10:00 p.m.
“My favorite part has been working with everyone…I feel like we create such great bonds with each other…because you spend so much time together,” said Sky Myers, a senior and stage manager for Hunchback.
The set was painted beforehand by Eastlake’s Technical Theater class taught by Wold, and was assembled with the help of Eastlake students including members of the cast and Eastlake’s Drama Club. The musical pit, composed of members of Eastlake’s music programs, have been rehearsing since October to play live accompanying music.
“To have it be put in a musical form, which music has always been used to touch people and really get them involved and thinking, to have such themes be put into this kind of format and medium, it really helps carry out–it makes the message so much more beautiful,” said Eva Beeharry, an Eastlake senior and pit trumpet player.
The musical stars Christopher Puri as Dom Claude Frollo, Sambriddhi Adhikari as Quasimodo, Sarah Hiciano as Esmerelda, Liam Wheeler as Phoebus, Trisha Shenoy as Clopin, and Shreya Ambekar as Trouillefou.
Many students hope this show will bring a new sense of perspective to the Sammamish community.
“We’re giving this gift to the audience, and we need them to use this gift and use this information that we’ve given to them to do good,” said Kate Carter, a freshman and ensemble member. “We need to reflect on how we treat people that are different from us even though they just want and deserve the same opportunities they aren’t getting.”
Eastlake Drama will have shows of The Hunchback of Notre Dame from Nov. 14 to 16 and Nov. 21 to 23. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit their website.
