Rigoletto

A Depression-era-set retelling of the famous opera "Rigoletto", reminiscent of "Beauty and the Beast" with almost Biblical undertones: Ari Ribaldi, a wealthy recluse with a disfigured face, moves into the old, long-abandoned mansion on the hill. The citizens of the city below, Castle Gate, are suspicious of him because many of the area stores have been foreclosing recently, but when 13-year-old Bonnie Nelson goes to work at the mansion in efforts to prevent her own home from going into foreclosure, she discovers that he is a musician, singer, and voice coach. She eventually convinces him to teach her to sing better, as singing is her talent and passion. As he does, Bonnie sees true beauty beneath his horrible face and posture; meanwhile, her friendship changes his angry and unapproachable nature. Through befriending Ribaldi, she learns not to judge him or any other person by their appearance. When strange, unexplainable things begin happening in Castle Gate, rumors circulate that Ribaldi is somehow responsible for not only the foreclosures, but the strange happenings as well. The townspeople's distrust grows into prejudice and even hatred, and the situation slowly escalates.