Art for All

The William Daniel Mills Theatre Company (WDMTC) presents a special one-nightonly event featuring the musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Concert” on May 20, 2023, at the Dr.Phillips Center for the Perfoming Arts.

The concert will feature Broadway star Derrick Davis, and hometown heroes Michael James Scott and Jerusha Cavazos, accompanied by local sensations Joshian Morales and Emani Cadet. The performance will also showcase the esteemed Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and a community choir of talented local vocalists.

According to Harold Mills, the founder of WDMTC, the purpose for presenting this timeless musical is three-fold. It will support the William Daniel Mills Apprenticeship Program, a non-profit organization known for providing elite performing arts students the opportunity to get compensated while working alongside theater professionals. Mills states that the board has set a goal to double the reach of WDMTC in the upcoming two years, with plans to incorporate more than 300 paid apprentices from the community.

The performance is also a way to celebrate local artists who have fought through the loss of performing during the COVID-19 shutdowns. The Save Our Stages funding has saved many local theaters, but no such funding existed for the artists. They survived, and this is an opportunity to acknowledge their resilience.

And lastly, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Concert” will give families and students from the communities of West Lake, Eatonville, Parramore, and other underserved areas a chance to experience worldclass theater. “It’s hard to dream about something you’ve never seen,” Mills says. “For some it will be the first time they’ve ever seen performers who look like them on stage.” The WDMTC and its corporate sponsors are donating tickets to these students and families.

Based on the timeless novel by Victor Hugo, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Concert” beautifully shares Quasimodo’s yearning for acceptance, the pursuit of justice, and hope.

Michael James Scott and Jerusha Cavazos, both hailing from Orlando, have made a name for themselves on the Broadway stage.

Scott is an acclaimed actor known for his incredible performances in hit Broadway musicals such as “Aladdin” and “The Book of Mormon,” among others.

Cavazos, a UCF graduate, is known for her standout performances in productions such as “The Prom” and “The Black Clown.” Derrick Davis is best known for his performances as Phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera” and Mufasa in “The Lion King” and is currently starring as Archibald in the revival of “The Secret Garden.”

In recognition of Daniel Mills, an esteemed Central Florida actor, and Monte Verde Academy student, the William Daniel Mills Theatre came into existence. Daniel believed theater should be a welcoming environment that fosters encouragement, inspiration, and entertainment for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Making this vision a reality and carrying on his legacy is the mission of WDMTC.

To purchase tickets and get more information, please visit www. wdmtheatre.org