Category Archives: Press Releases

Kyle Taylor as Quasimodo. Photo by Mickey Schaffner.

Playing Weekends January 12 – 27 2019

(COVINGTON, KY) – The bells of Notre Dame will soon be ringing in the Otto M. Budig Theatre as The Carnegie presents THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, weekends January 12 – 27.

Quasimodo, the outcast with a heart of gold longs to join the city of Paris during 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.

“We always try to make our January show a fun experience for families and an educational experience for kids in the cast,” said Carnegie Theatre Director Maggie Perrino. “I’m excited we were able to bring in Kurt Damoney to direct. He has a wealth of experience training kids for professional shows.”

Based on the Victor Hugo novel and featuring the Academy Award-nominated score from the Disney film, The Carnegie’s production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME will be directed and choreographed by Kurt Domoney with music direction from Xan Jeffery. Leading the cast as Quasimodo and Esmerelda are Kyle Taylor and Ria Villaver Collins. Returning to The Carnegie stage after appearances in last year’s WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY are Christian Arias (King Louis) Molly Munn (Teen Ensemble) and Ryan Armstrong (Gargoyle). Appearing as The Bishop’s Choir will be members of The Young Professionals Choral Collective.

Ria Villaver Collins as Esmeralda. Photo by Mickey Schaffner.

The show’s award-winning score includes favorite songs including “Out There” and “God Help the Outcasts” along with new songs from famed composers Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Tangled) and Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, Wicked).

Performances of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME run weekends January 12 – 27, Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $30, $18 for children 12 and under, $27 for Carnegie Members and ArtsPass Members, $23 for students. Tickets can be purchased through The Carnegie Box Office, open Tuesday-Friday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., in person or by phone at (859) 957-1940, or online at www.thecarnegie.com. Patrons seeking group or student tickets should call to make arrangements. 

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MYI. www.MTIShows.com.   

The 2018-19 Carnegie Theatre Series is presented by the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Additional support comes from the Kentucky Department of Tourism.    

Set Sponsored by Kroner, Hale & Patrick Law Firm 

CONTENT ADVISORY:  Please note this is a family-friendly production. Some technical effects may be scary for very young children. 

ABOUT THE CARNEGIE:
The Carnegie is Northern Kentucky’s largest multidisciplinary arts venue providing theatre events, educational programs and art exhibitions to the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati community. The Carnegie facility is home to The Carnegie Galleries, the Otto M. Budig Theatre, and the Eva G. Farris Education Center.  More information about The Carnegie is available at www.thecarnegie.com or by calling (859) 491-2030.

The Carnegie receives ongoing operating support from ArtsWave, Cincinnati International Wine Festival, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Kenton County Fiscal Courts, the Kentucky Arts Council and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. / US Bank Foundation.

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CAST LIST:

• Kyle Taylor – Quasimodo
• Ria Villaver Collins – Esmeralda
• Michael Sherman – Judge Claude Frollo
• Jackson Hurt – Captain Phoebus
• Skyler McNeely – Clopin
• El More – Madam/Ensemble
• Will Ellis – Jehan/Tribunal/Officer/Ensemble
• Josh Heard – Frederic/Ensemble
• Ella Rivera – Florika/Ensemble
• Christian Arias – King Louis/Teen Ensemble
• Brandon Bentley – Father Dupin/Ensemble
• Collin Newton – Saint Aphrodisius/Ensemble
• Kate Stark – Female Ensemble/Dance Captain
• Cassidy Steele – Female ensemble
• Michael English – Teen Ensemble
• Molly Munn – Teen Ensemble
• Fiona Blanchett – Teen Ensemble
• Jordan Darnell – Teen Ensemble
• Claire Streit – Teen Ensemble
• Zoe Zoller – Teen Ensemble
• Ava Kroener – Gargoyle/Youth Ensemble
• Ryan Armstrong – Gargoyle/Youth Ensemble
• Robert Wilke – Gargoyle/Youth Ensemble
• Benny Mitchell – Gargoyle/Youth Ensemble
• Ruby Brooks – Gargoyle/Youth Ensemble
• Athena Updike – Gargoyle/Youth Ensemble
• Featuring The Young Professionals Choral Collective

PRODUCTION TEAM:

• Kurt Domoney – Director/Choreographer
• Xan Jeffery – Music Director
• Lormarev Jones – Assistant Director
• Morgan Becker – Stage Manager

SELECT BIOS:
Kurt Domoney (Director): Kurt Domoney is a New York City-based director, choreographer, actor, and coach. Kurt has choreographed a broad spectrum of projects from musical theatre to opera. He recently choreographed EVITA, LA BELLE HELENE, DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT, TALES OF HOFFMAN and BARBER OF SEVILLE at Opera North in Lebanon, NH. In addition, he directed and choreographed the world premiere musical PRINCESS DIANA, THE MUSICAL at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. For two seasons, Kurt choreographed at Transcendence Theatre Company in Sonoma, CA; his work included the concerts of FLY ME TO THE MOON, ONE SINGULAR SENSATION, and the FANTASTICAL FAMILY NIGHT. Having been a performer for 25 years, Kurt takes his hands-on experience of performing in the Broadway company of the revival of A CHORUS LINE, the national tours of 42ND STREET and WHITE CHRISTMAS and tons of regional theatre work to his directing and choreography practice. Mr. Domoney is a graduate of the musical theatre program at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).

Kyle Taylor (Quasimodo): Kyle Taylor takes to The Carnegie stage for the first time as Quasimodo in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. He comes from across the river after doing several roles with Cincinnati Landmark Productions including JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Jesus), THE WIZARD OF OZ (The Wizard), SPAMALOT (Sir Robin), and many more. When Kyle isn’t rehearsing, he can be found in classrooms across Covington schools teaching drama classes provided by The Carnegie.

Mike Sherman (Frollo): After a few years on hiatus from The Carnegie after his critically-acclaimed turn as Judge Turpin in SWEENEY TODD, Mike Sherman is thrilled to make his return as Dom Claude Frollo in THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Other past credits at The Carnegie include CAROUSEL (Jigger) and THE ODD COUPLE (Vinnie), He has also been seen locally at Know Theatre of Cincinnati (THE DARKEST NIGHT AT THE GNARLY STUMP, ALL CHILDISH THINGS, SERIALS), Cincinnati Landmark Productions (OKLAHOMA!, THE PRODUCERS), and New Edgecliff Theatre (ONE GOOD MARRIAGE).  In addition to his acting credits, he has directed several shows for the The Cincinnati Fringe Festival, and directed the regional premier of Theresa Rebeck’s O BEAUTIFUL for Commonwealth Artists Student Theatre (CAST) last summer. He is perhaps most well known as the theatre department chair at Walnut Hills High School (his alma mater), a position he has held for the past six years, directing such award-winning productions as SWEENEY TODD, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, and RAGTIME. He was also selected as one of 24 theatre teachers and teaching artists from across the nation to be a part of the Educational Theatre Association’s Model Curriculum Framework Project, where he co-created and implemented theatre curriculum to be used as a model for theatre educators and students around the nation.

Ria Villaver Collins (Esmeralda): Ria Villaver Collins, having recently played Esmeralda in Fairfield Summer Theatre’s production, is proud to reprise her role in her debut at The Carnegie. A Cincinnati native, she is an alum of McAuley High School, Theatre Xavier, and CCM Prep’s Musical Theatre Intensive program. She earned her B.F.A in Acting, emphasis in Musical Theatre from Wright State University, after which she signed with a NYC Agent and booked a contract with Royal Caribbean Productions. She spent three years in Atlanta, performing and teaching, before returning to Cincy as an inaugural member of the Resident Artist Company at The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, where she performed in both main stage (PETER PAN JR;. CINDERELLA) and touring shows (CAT IN THE HAT; MAYA ANGELOUS: A WRITER’S LEGACY) and taught acting in the TCT Academy. In addition to being the Theatre Director at Ross High School, she continues to teach acting at TCT, as well as the Musical Arts Center, the Madcap Education Center, and guest teaches at several local high schools. Featured performance credits include: Royal Caribbean’s Azamara Quest (Singer/Dancer); Incline Theatre’s JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Dance Ensemble); SPRING AWAKENING (Ilse); 25^TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Marcy Park); RENT (u/s Mimi); LITTLE WOMEN: THE MUSICAL (Amy March); FANCY NANCY: THE MUSICAL (Bree); Zoot Theatre Company’s THE HOBBIT (Puppeteer).