This musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the cathedral and Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer, looks out over Paris. He escapes for a day and joins the boisterous crowd during the Festival of Fools, where he is treated cruelly by all but a beautiful gypsy named Esmeralda. He is not the only one enthralled by her free spirit, and he must vie for her attention with Frollo and the handsome Captain Phoebus.

Theatre of the Republic, 335 Main St. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. $23. (843) 488-0821, theatreoftherepublic.com