Valley Youth Theatre will open its 2024-25 season with a production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

This musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel and the beloved Disney film opens Friday, Aug. 9, at the Herberger Theater Center in downtown Phoenix, with a special preview for HopeKids and their families on Thursday, Aug. 8.

The story, which explores themes of love, acceptance, and inner beauty, is brought to life by a diverse cast of young performers from across the Valley.

“The journey of Quasimodo, the bell ringer of Notre Dame, embodies the resilience of the human spirit. Despite his challenges, Quasimodo views the world with wonder and hope, a perspective that aligns with Valley Youth Theatre’s ethos,” Bobb Cooper, Valley Youth Theatre’s Bille Jo & Judd Herberger executive producer, shared in a press release. “Through productions like ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame,’ we aim to create not just performers, but empathetic, creative, and confident individuals, teaching them the importance of resilience, teamwork, and compassion.”

The cast, ages 13-19, who will bring the characters to life are:

• Brandon Thompson and Jacob Romero (Anthem)
• Chloe Finch (Buckeye)
• Sarissa Monroe (Chandler)
• Westley Armbrust (Gilbert)
• Olivia Martínez and Isela Tovar (Glendale)
• Ellianna Keller (Goodyear)
• Jayvin Sumler (Laveen)
• Ra’Jihya Givens (Maricopa)
• Bryn Gibson, Jabine George, Davis Sterling (Mesa)
• Bryce Bartel and Dash Deusterman (Peoria)
• Gabriella Anthony, Jaden Sparkman, and Julia Lane (Tempe)
• Emily Anton and Luke Chester (Scottsdale)
• Gianna Arrighi, Abby Baumbach, Jadyn Carter, Chase Carter, Oliver Christie, Gwendolyn delaRosa, Janaysha Garcia, Andrew Hammons, Andrei Igdanes, Michael Jaramillo, Aether Lottie, Madelyn Moyer, James Nesbitt, Vivian Paige Nichols, Sierra Ricks, Amaya Read, Shane Sedivy, Autumn Stanley, Jayvin Sumler, Tayson Taledo, Kyler Tilley, Aidan Vidaurri. (Phoenix).

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame” runs Aug. 9-25, at the Herberger Theater Center, located at 222 E. Monroe St.

Tickets available at vyt.com/tickets or by calling 602-252-8497.