An ambitious ‘Hunchback’

Golden West College’s theater department, under its dynamic director Tom Amen, has scaled some lofty heights in the past -- with plays like “Hamlet,” “Oedipus Rex” and “The Grapes of Wrath” -- but these were just prologues to the director’s magnum opus, the current production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

Employing Charles Morey’s vivid adaptation of the classic Victor Hugo novel, and against the magnificent backdrop of a Notre Dame Cathedral setting designed by Herbert L. Camburn, Amen has mounted an involving, mesmerizing piece of epic theater that is truer to the original novel than to its several cinematic incarnations.

In Golden West’s production, the spotlight falls not on the twisted bell ringer Quasimoto but on his adopted father, Archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, who is both narrator and primary villain. Frollo’s unquenchable obsession with the gypsy dancer Esmerelda, who’s also beloved by Quasimoto, fuels this tragic account of conflicted morality in the Paris of 1482.

A large, enthusiastic ensemble renders invaluable support to this landmark production, depicting the fervor of downtrodden Parisians as well as the lofty upper class. Actresses representing the three deadly sins of pride, greed and lust hover like Macbeth’s witches over the show in general and the archdeacon in particular.

This all-powerful clergyman, superbly interpreted by Tony Zeller, reflects both the good and evil in human nature, adopting the deformed Quasimoto as an infant and caring for him, yet falling prey to his repressed and unfulfilled sexual hunger as he pursues the vivacious dancer with murderous zeal. Playgoers may equate Zeller’s character with the equally conflicted Reverend Davidson in W. Somerset Maugham’s “Rain.”

Quasimoto himself, in a hideous prosthetic mask created by Jennifer Rose, is portrayed with equal portions of tenderness and violence by Josh Matheson. Stooped and apelike, his hands swinging from side to side, Matheson renders a compelling depiction of this pivotal character.

Laci Lynne warms gradually to her role as the temptress Esmerelda, wooed in Paris’ shadows lest her suitors be recognized in the company of a “gypsy whore.” Audiences will cringe as she is tortured with a burning poker in the authorities’ attempt to force a lie from her lips.

Mark Bedard excels as Phoeus, a handsome captain engaged to a woman of high birth yet determined to taste Esmerelda’s favors. The madwoman known as La Recluse, whose importance to the story becomes increasingly apparent, is given a reverberating performance by Kathleen Fabry.

Others contributing significantly to the production include Freddy Chavez, Ted Worsley, Nick Cook and Blake Coomb, the last a fiery leader of the under classes whom Hugo later would glorify in “Les Miserables.” Particularly affecting are the three deadly sins enacted by Jennifer Wright, Victoria Strong and Kriby Keel.

Backed by James Prigmore’s powerful original musical score, striking costumes by Susan Thomas Babb and Robert Mumm’s splendid lighting effects, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is the glorious realization of an ambitious project for all involved.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”

WHERE: Golden West College Mainstage Theater

WHEN: Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m., through Nov. 20

COST: $10 or $12

CALL: (714) 895-8150

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.

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