No words are adequate to describe the moving performance of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” at Riverside Dinner Theater.

It was genius to have the actor playing Quasimodo walk forward on stage as himself—a tall handsome young man—talking about his character, putting on the hunchback shirt, tousling his hair, leaning downward and loping across the stage, then speaking in the voice of the horribly disfigured cripple.

But what of Quasimodo himself?  There’s a fine balance that must be struck between strength and unconscious pathos. The physical deformity must be dominant, but not overworked; the voice struggling to be understood, but not too self-aware. A new face on Riverside’s stage, Justin Luciano, fulfills the most demanding expectation. His is a stand-out performance in a production filled with superlatives.

The Riverside Center For The Performing Arts brings "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" to their stage in Fredericksburg.

Actors Thomas Adrian Simpson and Justin Luciano along with producing artistic director, Patrick A'Hearn stopped by the studio to share about bringing classic tale to the stage. Riverside Center For The Performing Arts presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame now through Sunday, May 6 At The Riverside Center For The Performing Arts in Fredericksburg.

Boasting an impressive production and stellar cast, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is presenting the professional DC-Northern Virginia regional premiere of the dark and romantic musical THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. It is well worth the trip along Interstate 95 to hear the rich score and lyrics by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, respectively, and be taken in by the sumptuous production, one of the biggest I have had the pleasure of seeing at this venue.

From the ominous opening melody to the crashing “Finale Ultimo,” Riverside Center for the Performing Arts’ production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” seduces a depth of fascination from audience members not often seen at the dinner theater.

An ambitious production, led by Justin Luciano as Quasimodo and Thomas Adrian Simpson as Dom Claude Frollo, sends chills through the viewer, repeatedly inspiring the desired mix of horror and delight. The 18-person cast, the largest in Riverside history, is backed by a chorus of 20 and accompanied by a nine-piece orchestra.

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts presents The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, and book by Peter Parnell. Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney film, Riverside is the first theatre in the metropolitan area to premiere its regional debut! Director Patrick A’Hearn leads this grand production–the largest at Riverside to date.

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is ending its 20th season with a big ol’ bang.

A cast of 18, community choir of 22 and nine-piece orchestra are sharing the stage for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”—the theater’s largest production ever. The epic musical owns the stage now through May 6, with performances Wednesdays through Sundays.

Listen to Justin Luciano (Quasimodo) and Thomas Adrian Simpson (Dom Claude Frollo) preview our upcoming production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Riverside alongside Producing Artistic Director, Patrick A'Hearn and Town Talk's Ted Schubel (NewsTalk 1230 WFVA). 

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg, Virginia is excited to be the first regional theater in the metropolitan area to present The Hunchback of Notre Dame, starring Justin Luciano as Quasimodo and Thomas Adrian Simpson as Dom Claude Frollo. Located at 95 Riverside Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA, performances begin on March 14th and run until Sunday, May 6th.