I reviewed the Teal cast on their opening night with the dual role of Jekyll and Hyde played by Garrett Stephenson. Stephenson was phenomenal in creating two strikingly different characters throughout the night. As a hopeful and kind Dr. Jekyll, Stephenson sang “I Need to Know” and “This is the Moment” with excitement and vocal strength. The last part of “This is the Moment” was exceptional as Stephenson held out the word “All” and added an unexpected riff. Stephenson quickly flipped between Jekyll and Hyde in “Confrontation”, and was excellent in creating a tortured and torn man fighting for control within himself. His wild eyes, painfully contorted facial expressions, and maniacal laugh truly portrayed a deranged and monstrous Mr. Hyde.
Dr. Jekyll’s lovely fiancé Emma Carew played by Courtney Fairbourn was stunning as she was always costumed in white elegant dresses. Fairbourn floated with ease and clarity as she sang, “I know we will find away”, in “Take Me as I Am”. During the quartet “His Work and Nothing More”, Fairbourn sang a chilling descant above the rest that set the tone for the mysterious mood. Anna Peacock played Lucy Harris, a prostitute, and a friend of Dr. Jekyll, who dreams of a better life. Peacock was seductive and flirty during “Bring on the Men” and serious and caring in “Someone Like You”. Peacock’s cockney accent was crisp and playful. Peacock’s amazing vocal talent was powerful and alive demonstrated by dramatic dynamic changes during “Someone Like You.” Fairbourn and Harris sang a fantastic duet in “In His Eyes” however the blocking made it hard to fully enjoy the song as each actress was staged so far apart.
Choreography by Dylan Watson and Kelsey Turner was fluid and engaging as they kept the company moving and crossing in full company songs like “Façade” and “Murder, Murder”. The full company executed intricate dances and accomplished seamless transitions with very impressive effect on the small stage.
An absolute treat of the night was black and white costumes by costume designer Torrey Woolsey. The technical design featured only black and white colors adding to the contrasting themes of good and bad with small accents of evil like red. The monochromatic tone was extremely intriguing especially with the varying patterns and period appropriate clothing creating the effect of an old time black and white film.
An exciting effect was created as the set was transformed during “This is the Moment”. Large cabinet doors open centerstage to reveal Dr. Jekyll’s laboratory with many glass decanters lit with different colors and steaming dry ice effects. The set was a collaborative design by Curtis Dalton, Trevor Wirth, and Lacie Cook. Props Master Wyatt Welch created a red glowing potion that stood out in stark contrast against the black and white production.
