Sounds Choir in Idaho Falls Presents “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”
Idaho Falls, ID (KIFI) - What makes a monster and what makes a man? A powerful story of acceptance, courage, and compassion is coming to life on stage this weekend in eastern Idaho.
The Sounds Choir is set to perform a concert-style production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at 7 p.m. on Thursday and again on April 3 at the Thunder Ridge Performing Arts Center.
The musical is inspired by Victor Hugo's classic novel and incorporates music from the Walt Disney Company’s 1996 animated adaptation. Fans of Wicked might recognize the show's lyricist, Stephen Schwartz, as he teams up with Disney Legend Alan Menken to bring this story to life through a sweeping score. The production blends dramatic storytelling with a rich choral sound, highlighting the emotional depth of the well-known tale. The Sounds Choir will feature a 39-piece orchestra and a 70-person choir.
Choir director Niesah Drain and actor April Jensen express that the music is one of the most transformative elements of the show. The orchestra, composed entirely of talented local musicians, weaves a tapestry of rich sounds. The main characters, alongside the powerful choir, deliver vocals filled with passion and emotion. Each song in this production invites the audience to experience a moment of pure magic.
"If you are a devotee of the Disney movie, you're going to love it," said Drain. "You're going to recall a bunch of the songs. There are new songs, but you will probably recognize the music you're hearing, even if you've never heard it before, if you watched the movie, because all those themes just flow together so well."
"This production is super spectacular because we're kind of doing a mix between a concert and a full production," Jensen, who is playing Esmeralda in the production, said. "We are doing all the lines and all the songs for the whole show, but kind of in a pared-down, really cool concert style."
Audiences can expect a moving performance that showcases the vocal talent of local singers, along with themes that remain relevant today—belonging, empathy, and seeing beyond outward appearances. Director Drain is grateful to showcase the talent of Eastern Idaho residents.
"All of our soloists are amazing. The guy who's playing Quasimodo is the choir teacher at Hillcrest, actually," recalls Drain. "I think there are some really beautiful songs about community and acceptance - and that message to me really hits hard. I hope people walk away with the desire to spread empathy to those around them."
For those in Idaho Falls looking for a night of live entertainment, this production offers a chance to experience a timeless story brought to life by the community. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of Disney live and witness the talent stirring with the Eastern Idaho community.
Tickets for the performances are available online through The Sounds Choir website.For those interested in purchasing tickets, the link is here.
