Act 1 DeSales University Theatre’s final production of its 53rd season is the area premiere of the musical, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” April 26 - May 7.

Based on the classic Victor Hugo novel and the 1996 Walt Disney animated feature film, the musical tells the story of Quasimodo, the bell ringer of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris who yearns to be free. When he meets the beautiful Esmeralda, she is the only one who treats him with kindness. He is enchanted by her, but he’s not the only one captivated by her free spirit. She also enthralls the handsome Captain Phoebus as well as the villainous Frollo.

Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, who previously collaborated on the Disney film “Pocahontas,” received Academy Award nominations for the “Hunchback” music score. Songs from the show include “Out There,” “Topsy-Turvy” and “Someday.”

“In ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame,’ people are judged by their appearance rather than the character within,” says Anne Lewis, associate director and head of the DeSales University division of performing arts. “Through this powerful story with its wonderful music, you learn that beauty comes from within and that everyone deserves kindness.”

Dennis Razze, DeSales University associate professor of theater, is director of the production, with Lewis serving as associate director.

Recreating Paris’ gothic cathedral and other settings is Will Neuert, DeSales University associate professor and head of design. Amber Stepanik is costume designer. Eric T. Haugen, DeSales University assistant professor, is lighting designer. David M. Greenberg is sound designer. Nancy Moser Collins is music director. DeSales alumnus Stephen Casey is choreographer. Paul Chou, Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra music director, conducts the orchestra.

There are talkbacks with the cast after April 30 and May 2 performances.

The 2 p.m. May 6 performance has open-captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing and audio descriptions for patrons who are blind or visually-impaired. Tickets are half-price for patrons using these services. Call Box Office Manager Eric Pierson, 610-282-3654, ext. 1, for more information.

Because of licensing restrictions, the production will not be streamed.

“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” 8 p.m. April 26-29, May 3-5; 2 p.m. April 30, May 7; 9:45 a.m. May 2; 2, 8 p.m. May 6, Main Stage, Labuda Center for the Arts, DeSales University, Center Valley. Tickets: 610-282-3192; www.desales.edu

Stagemakers go to “Madagascar”:

Stagemakers Youth Theater of the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley presents “Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr.,” April 27 - 30.

Based on the 2005 DreamWorks animation feature film “Madagascar,” the musical follows a group of zoo animals who are unexpectedly shipped to Africa. Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and the Penguins escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. The show is filled with outlandish characters, adventures and an upbeat score, including the hit “I Like to Move It.”

The musical features original music and lyrics by George Noriega and Joel Someillan and a book by Kevin Del Aguila.

The production features young performers from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

“Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr,” 7 p.m. April 27, noon, 4 p.m. April 30, Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley, 702 N. 22nd St., Allentown. Tickets: 610-435-3571, lvjcc.org/Madagascar

Original play at Pa. Playhouse:

“Ol’ Sparky,” an original play written by Lehigh Valley Atty. Lawrence B. Fox and based on a United States Supreme Court case, premieres April 28 - 30, Pennsylvania Playhouse.

The play takes place in 1944 when a prominent resident of St. Martinville, La., is murdered. Bobby Joe McKracken (Justin Ferguson), a 15-year-old farm worker is arrested and convicted of the murder. However, when he is sentenced to die in the electric chair, a travesty of moral and legal questions takes the case to the Supreme Court.

The cast also includes Lawrence Mason, Brian McDermott, Tom Mattei, Larry Fox, Billy Ehrlacher, Phuong Tran, Deven Windisch, Russ Morris, John Corl, Eamon Kinsman, Dean Turner, Mike Hollingsworth and Denise Shelton. Gary Boyer directs.

“Ol’ Sparky,” 7:30 p.m. April 28, 29; 3 p.m. April 30, The Pennsylvania Playhouse, 390 Illicks Mill Road, Bethlehem. Tickets: 610-865-6665; http://www.paplayhouse.org

Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com