May 7, 2018 *FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE* *PLAYERS GUILD THEATRE PROUDLY PRESENTS * *THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, A NEW MUSICAL* CANTON, OH – The Players Guild Theatre is closing out their successful season with the bold and epic musical, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME! 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 Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be "Out There," observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the gypsies – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all. A sweeping score and powerful story make THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME an instant classic. Audiences will be swept away by the magic of this truly unforgettable musical. For this upcoming production, the Players Guild has assembled a power-house cast of talented actors which includes: Quasimodo – DAVID HOLBERT Claude Frollo – JIM GRAYSMITH Esmeralda – DESIREE HARGRAVE Phoebus de Martin – MATTHEW HEPPE Clopin Trouillefou – SEAN FLEMING Jehan/Statue – JAKE SUSTERSIC Florika/Statue – TEHILAH CAVINESS Father Dupin/Ensemble– COREY PAULUS Frederic Charlus/Ensemble – JORDAN POTTER In addition to the cast listed above, the production includes an ensemble of 14 actors, as well as a 16-person on-stage choir. The HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME production team includes: Joshua Erichsen, Producing Artistic Director (& Scenic Design) Jonathan Tisevich, Resident Director Steve Parsons, Music Director Michael Lawrence Akers, Choreographer Scott Sutton, Lighting and Sound Design Megan Slabach, Sound Engineer Stephen Ostertag, Costume Designer THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME will be presented on the Mainstage, and is scheduled to open on Friday, May 18th and will run through June 3rd, with performances on Fridays & Saturdays @ 8:00 PM and Sundays @ 2:00 PM. Tickets for this Mainstage Musical are $29.00 for adults, $26.00 for seniors and $22.00 for those 17 years old and younger. Tickets for all performances may be purchased online 24 hours a day at www.playersguildtheatre.com or in person at the Players Guild Box Office, located in the Great Court of the Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Ave N. Tickets may also be purchased by phone: 330-453-7617. THE HUNCBACK OF NOTRE DAME is presented with support from Thomarios. The Players Guild Theatre receives support from these generous partners: Arts In Stark, The Ohio Arts Council, The Canton Repository and 89.7 WKSU. ####