The BHS theater program will be performing the Hunchback of Notre Dame on Nov. 15 to 17.

The play stars Eli Ward as Quasimodo, Rachel Kantarovich as Esmerelda, Michael Karas as Captain Phoebus and DeShaun Williams as Claude Frollo.

Spanish teacher Topher Helm, one of the directors, explained that The Hunchback of Notre Dame presents the story of an outsider. 

“A lot of people find that they identify with Quasimodo,” Helm said. “I think Quasimodo is written as a freak monster, an outsider, someone who lives like an outcast.” 

“I think that can be very much seen as a metaphor for someone who is an outcast in society, who can’t fit in, something about them that they cannot hide,” he added.

Helm explained that many people feel like outsiders for a multitude of reasons and that no matter what the reason they should not hide who they truly are.

“This could be their racial or ethnic identity, this could be sexual or gender identity,” he said. “This could be something about them that is intrinsic that for whatever reason they cannot hide, they cannot cover up, they cannot assimilate.” 

Junior Vega Craig, who recently joined the drama program, is excited about the play.

“I absolutely love it and that it is very cool and dark,” she said.

Like all of the cast members, she has been working hard on preparing for the performance. 

 “I practice my songs almost every day,” she said.

Helm enjoys working with the drama club here at Beachwood.

“I enjoy it here because we have a smaller program and the thing I really like about it is that we are actively growing our program year after year.” 

He enjoys getting to know students better than he does in the classroom. 

“[I look] forward to the play every year, [it is] a way where you get to know about students outside of the classroom,” he said. “You get to see their personalities, you get to see them in a way to know them where you can’t get to know them in a 48-minute class.”

“You also get to create and build something with them along the course of several weeks and get to see that come to life,” he added.

Principal Paul Chase explained that the school puts a lot into supporting the two theatrical productions each year.

“The [cost of] props and costumes and building supplies usually takes the budget up to approximately $25,000 per year,” he said. 

Ticket sales help to offset the production cost.

“Ticket sales make up for some of this and go back into that budget,” he said. “Some years they can make $3-5,000 a year and others $7,000.” 

Tickets for Hunchback will be $15 general admission, $10 for seniors 55+, $5 for students 18 and under and $5 for Beachwood teachers and staff.