“The Hunchback of Notre Dame: The Musical,” playing at the
Capitol Theater this weekend, has only one sponsor – the director herself, Lori
Wilson.
Wilson, a trained opera singer who is currently an artist in residence and music
instructor at Southeastern Community College, has built the musical from the
ground up. She’s paying for the rent at the Capitol Theater, hoping ticket
sales will be strong enough for her to break even.
The musical, which stars adults, college students, and children, is more than a
play. It’s also a class made possible through Jump Start – a Southeastern
Community College program through which high school students can earn college
credits while still in high school. The class isn’t just for actors. It covers
every aspect of stage production.
“I have some students from Danville that just graduated and are going to SCC,
and I worked with them on lighting,” Wilson said. She has been working with
the students’ teachers and Players Workshop set designer Randy Wischmeier,
teaching them how to program the show. The idea is to teach every aspect of
production, from singing and acting to costumes and lighting.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame” starts at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 30, and 3 p.m.
Sunday, July 31, and tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.
The Capitol Theater Summer Music Camp production of “One More Song” will play
at 7 p.m. Friday, July 29. Tickets will be sold at the door for both events.