Woods Church’s “The Hunchback Of Notre Dame” Will Immerse Audiences In Sanctuary

Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church will bring church and community members together to perform “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” on the weekends of March 28-30 and April 4-6.

Woods’ performance of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is based on the Disney classic, though it is darker and has more in common with Victor Hugo’s original novel than the animated movie. The production is directed by Woods Church Music Director David Merrill, with Elysia Merrill and Matthew Walter as assistant directors.

The storyline follows Notre Dame’s gentle bell ringer, Quasimodo, along his journey to find love and acceptance in a society that rejects him.

Due to the darker themes of the show, it is being advertised as PG-13, though younger children were welcomed into the cast with parental permission. The cast and crew have been working hard to make sure that they portray the show’s themes with respect in a way that also represents the values of the church. When choosing a show, Merrill makes sure to tie it into the teachings of Woods Church.

“We’ve been talking a lot in the church world about accompanying others and finding your sanctuary,” Merrill said. “And this show does a great job about outcasts and about accompanying outcasts and not judging people for who you think they are and accepting everyone.”

Merrill is grateful to Woods Church for allowing the performances to take place in its space, and he thanked senior pastor J.C. Austin and associate pastor Nancy Lincoln-Reynolds.

“It speaks wonders of Woods Church to be able to have the courage to do this,” Merrill said. “Not every church you see says, ‘Yeah, let’s open up our sanctuary to produce musical theater and to talk about themes that are hard to talk about.’ They’ve been very supportive and very encouraging.”

The 62-member cast is accompanied by a choir of approximately another 30 performers, plus a live orchestra, bringing the total number of performers to close to 100. Everyone who auditioned was welcomed into the production, and Merrill has made sure that every actor is able to be seen and participate in a way that contributes to the show.

Because of the number of performers, the choir will perform from above in the choir loft rather than onstage, which is one of the many ways that the show will utilize its unique performing space. The setting of a sanctuary is important to the show and its story, so Merrill is excited about performing “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in an actual sanctuary and using Woods Church’s cross. The set designs, created by Peter Bishop and Mark Bohlman, also take the space into account.

“It’s so important for you to be able to find your sanctuary,” Merrill said. “And I think a lot of people were able to find that in this production.”

Susan Bohlman, the costumer, has put together around 150 costumes. Because of the era in which the show is set, unique clothes were needed. Some costumes were bought or found at giveaways, but many were loaned to Woods by the Colonial Players in Annapolis.

Another unique aspect of Woods Church’s production is the choreography. “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is not traditionally a dance-heavy show, but choreographer Elysia Merrill has created her own choreography for some of the numbers.

After eight years of shows, the musicals at Woods Church have grown into huge productions. The cast and choir, the sanctuary, the costumes, and the choreography are only a few examples of the level of care that has gone into Woods Church’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” The cast, crew, church and community have all come together to make the show what it is.

“We try to bring to life the messages we teach here at Woods,” explained Merrill, “such as accompanying others; treating others with respect, kindness, love; guiding the outcasts; finding your sanctuary. Just being a family of faith and being kind and good. And that’s why we do these shows.”

To purchase tickets, go to www.woodstix.org.