The Hunchback of Notre Dame will require a LARGE cast of strong singer/actors, with some featured movers of moderate dance ability. A powerful, a highly involved ensemble is an essential feature. There are no roles for children. The fact that this production will not be geared to children's interest will not lessen our commitment to our mission of "family safe entertainment."

Esmeralda - Mezzo, E3-D5 - Beautiful, free-spirited gypsy who possesses a strong sense of justice and morality that Frollo lacks. Compassionate, she frees Quasimodo from the frenzied mob at the Feast of Fools and, against her better judgement, falls for the cocky Phoebus. (20's) Must be strong singer/actress who moves well.

Florika - Soprano, E4-F#5 - Flirtatious gypsy who takes off with Jehan. Quasimodo's mother. Dies while he is just a baby. (20s) (Also Ensemble member)

Madam - Owner of tavern, safe haven for gypsies (mature) (Also Ensemble member)

Quasimodo - Tenor Bb2-Bb4 - The deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame and Claude Frollo's charge. Lonely and staunchly obedient to Frollo. Naïve and innocent. Big-hearted and brave when he needs to be. He possesses a vivid imagination that brings to life the bells, gargoyles, and statues of the cathedral. (20's) Must be strong singer/actor - athletic and flexible, able with costume to affect the deformed physicality of Quasimodo.

Claude Frollo - Bass Baritone E2-E4 - Archdeacon of Notre Dame Cathedral and the most powerful cleric in Paris. He is the reluctant caretaker of Quasimodo. He will do whatever it takes to rid the city of the gypsy "vermin" for he sees them as having caused his brother's downfall. However, he is tormented by the conflict between his self- righteousness and his own tormented attraction for the gypsy Esmeralda. In our interpretation, the intensity of conflict between desire and repulsion combined with fear of damnation must drive the character more than evil. Manipulative, obsessive, controlling. (40's-50's) Must have strong lower register. (We may possibly cast a second actor as the younger Frollo.)

Captain Phoebus de Martin - Tenor or High Baritone A2- Ab4 - Returning to Paris after serving in the war, Phoebus takes up his new position as Captain of the Cathedral Guard. Overconfident yet charming, this handsome, strong soldier makes the ladies swoon, yet his moral compass is also strong, and he openly defies the corrupted Frollo to stand up for Esmeralda whom he loves. (20's)

Clopin Trouillefou - Tenor or High Baritone D3-F#4 - The clever and charismatic King of the Gypsies. An air of mystery surrounds Copin, who often leaves the scene in a puff of smoke. As the master ofceremonies for the Feast of Fools, he is witty and playful, but he boasts a darker, serious nature when not performing for the crowd. (20's-30's) Must be a strong mover.

Jehan Frollo - Baritone, F3-Eb4 - Claude's reckless, passionate younger brother. With the gypsy Florika, he fathers Quasimodo, who he leaves in his brother's care upon his death. Wild, rebellious, strong-willed. (20's) (Also Ensemble member)

Lieutenant Frederic Charlus - Lieutenant of the Cathedral Guard, and loyal friend to Phoebus (20's) (Also Ensemble member)

Congregants - ALL vocal parts required. Experience with choral singing a plus. - Multiple Male/Female narrators, soloists (This ensemble includes principals initially.)

Gargoyles, Statues - ALL vocal parts required. Experience with choral singing a plus. - Multiple Male/Female narrators, soloists (This ensemble includes principals initially.) - Sculptural renderings of saints, chimeras, and gargoyle downspots on the façade and towers of Notre Dame. These characters are alive to Quasimodo and interact vocally with him. Male and Female, these have multiple solo and small ensemble singing opportunities. Must be strong soloists.

Choral Ensemble - ALL vocal parts required. Experience with choral singing a plus. - Multiple Male/Female narrators, soloists (This ensemble includes principals initially.) - LARGE group serving as Choir, Congregation, Gypsies, and Citizens of Paris who essentially narrate the entire show throughout. Ensemble is VERY active and involved heavily throughout the production with LOADS of singing! Choral singing is VERY CHALLENGING. Dancers will be chosen from the ensemble.

Stage age is a general guideline for the "look" or stage impression given by the character, not the actual age of the actor.

CHILD/TEEN ROLES:

Peter Pan - Clever, adventurous, confident leader of Lost Boys. While at times he is boastful and self-centered, there is a side of Peter that is caring and joyous. His desire to stay a child forever allows him to continue his adventures unburdened by the realities of growing up. He is the embodiment of youthful naivete. His relationship with Wendy, however, forces him to grapple with emotions he never anticipated. Must be strong actor, an excellent singer, and an agile mover - able to put forth young masculinity. (While the role was created for female - Mary Martin, a young male of the appropriate age with unchanged voice would be preferred. He must be able to handle high head voice singing well enough to mimick operatic quality on one song.)
Gender: Male boy preferably or Female acting as male
Vocal Range: Soprano (Most of the songs are mid-ranged and accommodate a high belter; however one song requires agile use of high head voice)
Age: 12-14

Wendy Darling - On the verge of adolescence, Wendy is conflicted by her desire to grow up and her fears about the unknown aspects of adulthood. She is the pleasant, responsible, trustworthy sort who takes on the role of "mother" to the Lost Boys. Meeting Peter awakens charming, romantic feelings within her and she is forced to reconcile the various facets of her emerging womanhood. Must be a strong actress/singer/mover.
Gender: Female
Vocal Range: Soprano
Age: 12-14

John Darling - John is the loyal, bookish middle child of the Darling family. He has always dreamed of being in a big adventure. Needs to be a good singer/actor/mover.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: Boy Soprano
Age: 10-12

Michael Darling - The youngest Darling child. He is a sweet, bubbly, and likeable boy who is full of fun. Needs to be a good singer/actor/mover. Smaller stature a plus.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: Boy Soprano
Age: 6-8

Tiger Lily - Beautiful Native American princess. She is brave, "coquettish, cold, and amorous by turns." She must possess a sensuality that stands in contrast to Wendy's sweet demeanor. Very few lines. Must communicate with body/attitude. Strong dance ability required.
Gender: Female
Age: 13 - 16

Jane - Grown-up Wendy's daughter.
Gender: Female
Vocal Range: Soprano
Age: 10-12

Grown Up Wendy - May be double cast as young Wendy. (May double as ensemble member)
Gender: Female
Vocal Range: Soprano
Age: Typically 30s but could be double cast as young Wendy

THE LOST BOYS - The adventurous gang of misfit boys who had fallen out of their "prams" (Victorian era baby strollers) when the nurse was not looking. They live with Peter in Neverland and originally share his desire to never grow up. They are a group of distinct and unique personalities, demanding young actors who have strong stage presence and energy. All Lost Boys are designated as male in script, but we are open to inclusion of girls and to call these the "Lost Kids". 6 minimum.

Slightly - The conceited one, because he believes that he, unlike the others, remembers what life was like before he was "lost." However, most of his memories are either based on miusunderstandings or pure fabrications: one exampes is that he claims to know what his last name is -- his pinafore had the words "Slightly Soiled" written on the tag. He does seem to have a talent for music; as he is described in the book as cutting whistles and flutes from branches of trees.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: Boy Soprano
Age: 8 to 12

Tootles - The sweet one; described in the play as the most humble because of his terrible luck with adventures. He is the one who shoots Wendy with a bow and arrow after Tinkerbell tells them Wendy is a bird. When the mistake is discovered, he tells Peter to kill him.But since Wendy survives, Tootles is spared.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: Boy Soprano
Age: 6 to 8

Nibs - The cheerful one; described in the book as happy, active, joyful and debonair, possibly the bravest of the Lost Boys.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: Boy Soprano
Age: 8 to 12

Curly - Has curly hair, hence his name. Described in the book as "a pickle" (a person who gets into pickles). Not so smart, but very loveable; a little timid. In the book, he is in charge of building the little house.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: Boy Soprano
Age: 8 to 12

1st Twin - 1st and 2nd Twin know little about themselves - they are not allowed to because Peter does not know what Twins are, and no Lost Boy is allowed to know anything that Peter doesn't. While they do not necessarily need to look identical, they should be approximately the same size and move together.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: Boy Soprano
Age: 8 to 12

2nd Twin - 1st and 2nd Twin know little about themselves - they are not allowed to because Peter does not know what Twins are, and no Lost Boy is allowed to know anything that Peter doesn't. While they do not necessarily need to look identical, they should be approximately the same size and move together.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: Boy Soprano
Age: 8 to 12

ADULT/TEEN ROLES:

Captain Hook - Cruelest jewel in a dark setting he is "never more sinister than when he is most polite, and the elegance of his diction, the distinction of his demeanor, show him to be a solitary among uncultured companions. A man of indomitable courage, the only thing at which he flinches is the sight of his own blood, which is thick and of unusual color . . . yellow!" Hoo is a classic villain. However, underneath this delightfully evil exterior lies a weak, washed up coward who hides behind an unemotional and controlling façade. Hook is Peter's nemesis and detests Peter's confidence and natural charisma. Must be a strong singer and character actor. Must be physically fit and able to master stage combat. (May double as Mr. Darling.)
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: high baritone or tenor
Age: 30s to 50s

Mr. Darling - A stern and unimaginative but loving father. "He is really a good man as breadwinner go. In the city where he sits on a stool all day as fixed as a postage stamp, he is so like all the others on stools that you recognize him not by his face but by his stool, but at home the way to gratify him is to say that he has a distinct personality." While he is very conscientious; at home he can be bumbling and brash, revealing a rather childish insecurity underneath a demanding exterior. Marvelous character role for a non-singer. (May double as a Captain Hook or a pirate.)
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: no singing required
Age: 30s to 40s

Mrs. Darling - Mrs. Darling is graceful, warm, and motherly - exactly what one would presume Wendy's mother to be. Extremely supportive of her husband no matter his eccentricities. She sees the best in everyone and is her children's advocate and protector. Her kind maternal presence must be complimented by a beautiful solo voice. (She may double as an Indian.) Gender: Female
Vocal Range: soprano
Age: 30s to 40s

Liza - The pleasant Darling family maid. May double as Indian, so must be a strong dancer and good character actor.
Gender: Female
Vocal Range: any
Age: 20s to 30s

Nana - Maternal Newfoundland dog, serving as nanny for the Darling children. Must be agile and able to express strong emotions via pantomime. In the original stage direction of the play it is stated that "She will probably be played by a boy, if one clever enough can be found,and must never be on two legs except on those rare occasions when an ordinary nurse would be on four."
Gender: Either
Vocal Range: no singing required
Ages : N/A

Crocodile - May double as Nana. Or may be done with a stage prop instead.
Gender: Either
Vocal Range: No singing required
Ages: N/A

PIRATES (6-12 total) - Group of Captain Hook's henchmen. These men believe they are sinister and cunning, but are actually a comical band of buffoons. They are continuously out-smarted and out-maneuvered by the Lost Boys and resort to dance to spark their creative juices. Must be great character actors with strong comedic timing, strong singers, able to move and to learn stage combat. Adults preferred. (6 Pirates minimum)
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: baritones and tenors
Age: older teens to 50s

Smee - Captain Hook's right hand man. He is a jovial, simple, and loveable sidekick. He is a comedic character actor in direct contrast to Hook in appearance and physical stature. Must be able to move well.
Gender: Male
Vocal range: high baritone or tenor

Starkey - First mate on the Jolly Roger. In the book he is also called "Gentleman Starkey" because of his impeccable manners.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: Baritone or tenor

Cecco - According to the book, a very handsome man of Italian descent.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: baritone or tenor

Noodler - Not much is mentioned in the book, “except that his hands are fixed on backwards.”
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: Baritone or tenor

Mullins - Only Pirate who wears a full greatcoat, handles the eyeglass.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: baritone or tenor

Jukes - Gunner aboard the Jolly Roger. Heavily tattooed.
Gender: Male
Vocal Range: baritone or tenor

Up to 5 additional Pirates: Linville, Holland, Marasco, Kargo, Tookoyan

Indians (6-12 total) - Indians are the featured dancers of the show. They must be very strong and agile, able to convey character and emotion through movement. Gymnastic ability a plus.
Gender: Male and Female
Vocal Range: Any
Age: Teens to Adults