According to Monica DePaul, director of Cavod Theatre's production of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," the musical based on the 1831 Victor Hugo classic contains an important lesson for audience members. "I think they're going to hear the lesson in such a beautiful way with gorgeous music," said DePaul, who noted that she expects the more than 40 cast members to be "incredibly engaged and give powerful performances."

"The Hunchback of Notre Dame," featuring songs from the Disney animated feature, will be presented at the Cavod Theatre, 641 W. Main St., New Holland, with a dinner theater at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28. The show will also be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 7; at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays, March 1 and March 8; and at 4 p.m. on Sundays, March 2 and 9.

The show opens with the pealing of the bells at the cathedral of Notre Dame in 15th-century Paris. Quasimodo, a deformed bell-ringer played by Ric Weaver, is kept captive by duplicitous caretaker Dom Claude Frollo, played by Caleb Heckman. When Quasimodo escapes for a day, he learns about the cruelty of the world outside his bell tower, and is rescued from a dangerous situation by a beautiful Romani woman, Esmeralda, played by Jacqui Schaeffer. Quasimodo is drawn to her, but he is not her only admirer. Both the handsome Captain Phoebus, played by Mitch King, and Frollo are smitten as well, and the three compete for Esmeralda's favor. When Frollo decides to destroy the Roma, Quasimodo must take action to save his love.

The themes of the show represent a bit of a departure from Cavod's usual family fare. "We have interesting challenges to find a show that actors will want to be a part of and that audiences want to see and (that meets) the values and standards of Cavod," said DePaul, who added that while she loves lighthearted and fun shows, Cavod also endeavors to present cautionary tales. "There's a time and place for shows that will make you think, and this show is more that," explained DePaul, referring to the age-13-and-up recommendation for children attending. "The theme is that we are all capable of beautiful, wonderful things, but also of terrible things," she said. "When we forget that, we're in trouble."

One challenge of staging the show was discerning the best set presentation. "(We had the problem of) how to create a cathedral, bell tower, city streets, a tavern," said DePaul. To solve that issue, an unusual triangular staging was utilized. "To do set changes, we will have a three-sided set piece that will be turned," she explained. "The actors will be part of the story telling, explaining where we are as they move the set pieces."

DePaul noted that a choir will provide the soundtrack of what is happening on stage. "It's very traditional - as if you went to Catholic Mass in the 1400s," said DePaul, who noted that choir members have risen to the challenge of learning the Latin lyrics.

According to DePaul, the goal is to convey the lesson contained within the show by using the set, actors, and music to the fullest extent. "We are utilizing the set and the theater to immerse the audience in the storytelling in a way I don't think we've ever done," she noted, adding that actors will be singing and dancing through the aisles and doing the set changing. "I think it will be interesting and beautiful to watch."

Tickets may be purchased at http://www.cavod.org or by calling 717-354-3355.