(Above: Ashley Apelzin and Anthony Krall, as Esmeralda and Quasimodo, lead the Actors Cabaret of Eugene production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”)

By Randi Bjornstad

There’s a whole lot of plot to Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and it’s probably a good thing that the musical cuts through a lot of it, focusing mostly on the worthiness of human beings that exists independent of physical imperfections or cultural origins, as well as the potential for evil in people who seemingly have no earthly reason to pursue it.

The simplest description of the show comes from Music Theatre International, which describes it this way:

“The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be “Out There,” observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the gypsies – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.”

That’s an amazing simplification, but it’s probably just as well to leave it at that. A musical based on Hugo’s mammoth novel would require dozens, maybe hundreds, of characters and extras, not to mention a performance that could last hours, if not days.

You can always read the book.

Incidentally, Hugo didn’t write it originally to showcase the characters, but to bring public attention to the fact that Notre Dame Cathedral had been allowed to deteriorate to the point that it was in danger of being destroyed and replaced by something new and probably graceless by comparison.

There are good guys and bad guys in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame;” here Anthony Krall, left, as Quasimodo, and Tom Grimsley as his guardian, the archdeacon Frollo

In any case, the cast list for the musical is pared down to 26 performers, in what ACE says is the Northwest premiere of the musical, with songs by Alan Menkin, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book (textual adaptation) by Peter Parnell. Notably, Parnell has incorporated verbatim sections of text from the original Gothic novel.

The local production is directed by Joe Zingo, who also has designed the costumes and sets and created the lighting.

The lead cast members are Ashley Apelzin in the role of Esmeralda, opposite Anthony Krall in the title role, playing Quasimodo. They are joined by Tom Grimsley as Claude Frollo, Quasimodo’s guardian as well as the archbishop of Notre Dame, and Peter Wickliffe in the role of Captain Phoebus de Martin, who falls in love with and pursues the gypsy girl, Esmeralda.

The rest of the cast includes Paul Anderson, Tyler Blaser, Delaine Burns, Brittany Case, DJ Depew, Tessa Douangaphaivong, Abigail Frazee, Laura Holden, Holly Holub, Hillary Humphreys, Debra Lydum, Ashley Mason, Haile Mead, India Potter, Leo Quatier, Rene Ragan, Rob Roberts, Samuel Rose, Will Vanderbilt, Katelynn Williams, Ashlee Winkler, and Jeff Wisdom.

As usual, the production includes the option of show-only or show-and-meal seating, for both evening and matinee performances.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

When: 7:30 p.m. on May 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26 and June 1-2; plus 2 p.m. on May 13 and 20

Where: Actors Cabaret of Eugene, 996 Willamette St. in downtown Eugene

Tickets: Show-only, $16 to $27; show-and-meal, $35.95 t0 $48.95, at the box office, 541-683-4368 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday), or online at actorscabaret.org/