Harlan Community Theatre brings epic musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” to the stage
HARLAN — For months, the Harlan Community Theatre has prepared for one of their most ambitious productions to date, and next week those months of work culminate with performances of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” July 16 -18 at the Harlan Community High School Auditorium with 7 p.m. shows Thursday through Saturday, and a second show on Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee.
Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel and the beloved Disney animated film, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” features sweeping music provided by a live orchestra and soaring vocals, led by a 30-person-strong ensemble and principals Michael Howland (Quasimodo), Ashley Appleby (Esmeralda), Gabriel Potts (Frollo), Ryan Kilmer (Phoebus), and Abram Wilwerding (Clopin) with direction by Eric Pahnisch and musical direction by Noah Potterf.
Bringing the show to life has required the efforts of sixty-four dedicated individuals, both onstage and offstage. From Jason Weis constructing an elaborate set and Cathy Buman, Sherry Kaufman, and Beth Klein sewing intricate costumes to Addie Klindt programming lighting, Tony Buman and Jodine Holloway coordinating production logistics, Cody Parmley and Colton Hagle leading advertising, and many others preparing countless details, nearly every aspect of the production has been created by area residents coming together from Dunlap to Audubon and lots of places in between.
For director Eric Pahnisch, who lives in Manilla with his wife and assistant director Grace Pahnisch and their daughter Ellie, the production represents far more than another summer musical.
“This show is important,” says Pahnisch, and he hopes audiences leave the theater with more than memories of impressive music and visual effects. Although many audience members may know the story through Disney’s animated adaptation, the stage version explores the characters and themes in greater depth while retaining many familiar songs. The result is a production that balances spectacle with intimate storytelling, inviting audiences to reflect on justice, belonging, compassion, and the value of every person.
Set in 15th-century Paris, the story follows Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral, who has spent his life hidden away from the outside world. When he ventures beyond the cathedral walls, he encounters friendship, prejudice, love, and difficult choices that challenge both himself and those around him.
For Michael Howland, the actor portraying Quasimodo, stepping into the title role has been a dream come true. Living in Des Moines, the dedicated Howland gladly makes the long drive to Harlan three nights a week for rehearsals to finally have a chance at what he calls “the role of a lifetime.” An established fan of the Harlan Community Theatre and a seasoned lead actor, Howland was thrilled when he saw the audition notice and remembers when the directors called to offer him the role, “it was just all tears and gratitude.”
The ability to draw participants and audience members from such a wide area is a testament to the quality and growth of the Harlan Community Theatre and its parent organization, the Western Iowa Arts Association over the last seven years. Beginning in 2019 with The Music Man, the Harlan Community Theatre has now produced sixteen shows, with over three hundred participants and thousands of audience members.
Tickets are available and donations can be made online at wiaa.ludus.com.
