By Daniel Lahr

Contributing Writer

The enduring story of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” has been told in many different ways for nearly 200 years. It’s been made into 13 films, five TV movies, eight musicals, five non-musical theatrical adaptations, six operas, five ballets, and a video game.

In all of those different adaptations since Victor Hugo had his novel published in 1831, some of the storytellers have bent the source material to fit their target audience. However, the profound theme in all adaptations is the ugliness of people, not just on the outside but inside as well.

Now the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts (PCPA) will launch its summer season in Solvang with its own production.

“What makes a monster and what makes a man?” is the first question posed to the audience by an ordinary looking gentleman at the beginning of the play.

Then he quickly straps a pillow on his back and wraps himself in a tunic and becomes Quasimodo, the title character, before our eyes. It’s a great technique to drive home that message, which is the backbone of the story.

The production is overflowing with professionalism. Scenic designer Jason Bolen in particular should be highly commended for being able to translate 13^th century gothic France to a brightly colored and vibrant musical.

In telling an epic story of “love rendered impossible,” the musical features theatrical elements of melodrama, medieval pageantry, religious ceremony, musical theater, opera, and of course, Disney.

There is where the flaw in this production lurks. This isn’t a straight adaptation of Disney’s 1996 animated film; it is an adaptation of the novel sprinkled with Disney music.

The Disney animated film does not shy away from some very adult situations found in the original story. Disney had to, of course, alter some of the story to be rated “G” for its audiences, but that’s a hard “G.” Lust, torture, indentured servitude and burning people at the stake is hard topics for a Disney audience to handle. Yet the film does feature some of the best music ever written by the wizards (Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz) at Disney, even getting an Oscar nomination for Best Musical Score.

The PCPA production soars when these numbers arrive in the show, and actor Nick Tubbs’ voice hits all the sweeping emotional highs that this epic score has to offer.

As a fan of Disney’s “Hunchback” score, I was so excited to see PCPA’s production. Yet I didn’t look closely enough at how PCPA’s production is advertised. It is “a new musical based on Victor Hugo’s gothic novel and songs from the Disney animated feature.”

This is the key to understanding this play. You are not going to see Disney’s version, and you are not going to see the gothic novel on stage. You are going to see a blend of the two.

The story is even darker than Disney’s with more adult themes, topics and situations, all while the cast bursts into song.

The other surprise in this blend of material is that we actually focus on Quasimodo less that you would imagine and consequently we lose seeing him make deep connections with other people outside of his many gargoyle friends.

Erik Stein’s Frollo was the standout character in the performance and he rightfully has top billing in the program. The version is really about Frollo and his struggle with his ambition, loyalty to the church, and lust for Esmerelda.

Stein truly humanizes the antagonist, which makes him more relatable. We feel for his struggle, but in the end this makes it harder to see him as a monster we know he is supposed to be.

Amani Dorn’s gypsy character Esmerelda catches the eyes of the three male leads all at once, and she instantly places them in their respective categories of “winner,” “friends only,” and “get away from me, creep.” Unfortunately, the portrayal of Esmerelda in this production seemed to lack any palpable attraction on stage and came off as a bit rigid.

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” is a tragic musical. This story is a true tragedy for its characters, and you feel it. There are a few times when the acting is so good and vibrant on stage that you cannot help but have your heart hurt for these characters. The epic music and large chorus help bring that emotional connection home.

Treat this play as if it was a PG-13 movie, or you may be having some uncomfortable conversations with your kids.

“The Hunchback of Norte Dame” plays at the Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2^nd Street, from June 14-July 8. Tickets range from $39 to $57.50 and can be purchased at www.pcpa.org or by calling 805-922-8313.