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New musical a complex, intricate production for Bashaw troupe

Latest local community theatre production providing some interesting, fun challeges for cast
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The annual musical from the Bashaw Community Theatre is the world reknown, and extremely complex, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Image submitted

A tale that goes back nearly 200 years will soon hit the stage in Bashaw.

Members of Bashaw Community Theatre are taking on the big challenge this year of producing the musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which is based on the 1831 novel by Victor Hugo, while leaning on songs from the 1996 movie produced by Walt Disney.

The production is just in the initial stages, according to one of the crew’s assistant directors Holly Benoit.

“Things are going very well with this play so far,” she said.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of the most challenging shows that the Bashaw Community Theatre has ever attempted both in music and content. As such, the cast has had to work extremely hard to embody their characters and familiarize themselves with the complex music.”

Due in part to the musical’s complexity and difficulty, this production is seeing a larger than normal team of directors.

While Lori Miller has full charge of the show as the director, there are three assistants that include Benoit, Nadja Sawula-Brown and Coleman Miller as well as musical directors Benoit and Robin King.

“We are also getting some help with the music from Andrea Benoit and also have a few songs being choreographed by the talented Michelle Volkart,” she added.

Meanwhile, the majority of the cast for the musical comes from among the talented people of Bashaw. Although, there are still a few people making the drive in from the areas of Coronation and Camrose to be a part of this grand production.

“We definitely appreciate the extra time that these individuals commit to driving here for rehearsals and I am extremely proud of how far we have come as a group. I can’t wait to start seeing the show coming together,” she said.

The stage at the Bashaw United Church will once again be the venue for the musical with full show rehearsals beginning this week.

She explained the set is also quickly coming together and will soon be put into place, something Benoit feels adds to the excitement of how close opening night is and helps get the cast more into the play and their characters.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is slated to run over two weekends — Nov. 16 to 19 plus 23 to 26. The 7 p.m. evening performances will run Nov. 16 to 18 and 23 to 25 with 2 p.m. matinee showings to go on Nov. 19 and 26. There are also a limited number of dinner theatre seats available.

All tickets are available by heading to www.bashawcommunitytheatre.com or in person at Bashaw Neighbourhood Place.