Skylight Music Theatre Announces Cast, Creative for 'Hunchback'

Milwaukee — Skylight Music Theatre today announced the partial cast, creative team and a one-day sale for the Wisconsin premiere of Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, running May 20 through June 12, 2022. Performances take place in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Skylight is Milwaukee’s professional Equity music theatre company.

Skylight Music Theatre has joined other Milwaukee performing arts organizations in lifting Covid-19 safety requirements.

‘Hunchback’ Features Music and Book by Dennis DeYoung of Styx Fame
This epic and romantic tale of love, lust and obsession is penned by Dennis DeYoung, lead singer and songwriter of the legendary rock band Styx. DeYoung created the soaring pop score that explores the beauty and tragedy of Victor Hugo’s epic masterpiece. DeYoung also adapted Hugo’s novel for the musical’s script.
DeYoung is a founding member of the rock band Styx, which has sold 30 million records worldwide. He wrote and performed the Billboard number one hit “Babe,” which topped the charts for two weeks, as well as other Billboard top ten hits including “Come Sail Away,” “The Best of Times,” and “Lady.”

“Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to have had some success in writing songs, but the ones I have written for Hunchback I love as much or more than any I’ve ever done,” said DeYoung, who is working with Skylight on a newly revised version of the musical.

DeYoung’s Hunchback was previously presented at Chicago’s Bailiwick Repertory Theatre where it won a 2008 Jeff Award for Best Midsize Musical.

Skylight Artistic Director Michael Unger’s Dream Project
Skylight Music Theatre Artistic Director Michael Unger will direct the production. DeYoung is from the Chicago area, as is Unger. The two met 27 years ago, and Unger recalls a chance meeting with DeYoung outside Steppenwolf Theatre and later being invited to DeYoung’s home studio to hear the entire score of The Hunchback of Notre Dame sung by his childhood rock hero.
“I have been chasing this show for 28 years – and that’s not an exaggeration," said Unger. “Dennis is a magnificent melody maker (think “Babe,” “Lady,” “Grand Illusion,” “Come Sail Away,” and so many more), and his version of this classic novel is wonderfully faithful to Hugo’s original. It’s a phenomenal combination.”

Although known primarily as a rock musician, DeYoung’s interest in theater began when he explored “new theatrical ways to present a rock concert to make the experience more engaging and exciting for the audience,” he said. In 1983 the "Kilroy Was Here" Styx album and tour incorporated theater and film. In 1993 DeYoung was offered the role of Pontius Pilate in the 20th anniversary tour of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, and Irene Cara, for which DeYoung received a Joseph Jefferson nomination as best supporting actor.
Cast Features Tony Award Nominee, ‘American Idol’ Finalist, and International Opera Performer
The powerhouse cast of 21 performers stars Kevin Anderson as Frollo, Ben Gulley as Quasimodo, and Alanis Sophia as Esmerelda.

Anderson is known for his work on stage, screen, and TV. He received a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of Biff in Death of a Salesman on Broadway (with Brian Dennehy) and starred opposite Patti LuPone in Sunset Boulevard in London. Films include Orphans (with Albert Finney) and Sleeping with the Enemy (with Julia Roberts). He was a Golden Globe nominee for his role as Father Ray in ABC’s Nothing Sacred.

Gulley has performed worldwide as an opera, pop, Broadway and jazz singer. Recent roles include Mario Cavaradossi in Tosca with Sarasota Opera, Tenor in Das Lied von der Erde with Brussels National Orchestra, and Dan in Next to Normal with Musical Theater Heritage. He starred as Pedro in Tiefland at Sarasota Opera in 2018, which was directed by Michael Unger.
Sophia is a bilingual recording artist, songwriter, and musician who has appeared on Telemundo’s ‘La Voz Kids’ and in Season 19 of ABC’s American Idol in 2021, ranking Top 16. She will make her theatrical debut in Hunchback.
Additional casting to be announced.

Music Director is Eric Svejcar, a Brooklyn-based composer, pianist, and arranger who music directed Skylight’s recent production of Ernest Shackleton Loves Me and the staged concert reading of Paul Williams’ Fortunate Sons. On Broadway he conducted Big River and played first keyboard for The Little Mermaid.

Hunchback was originally scheduled to be produced at Skylight during 2020-2021 to mark Unger’s inaugural Skylight season but had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

Variety called Dennis DeYoung’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame “A thrilling stage extravaganza!” Chicago Tribune wrote that DeYoung’s “brooding power ballads” and “thrilling melody lines” created “infectious musical passion.”
Wisconsin Premiere

THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
May 20 – June 12, 2022
By Dennis DeYoung
Directed by Michael Unger
Adapted from the novel by Victor Hugo
Recommended for ages 12 and up.