JEKYLL AND HYDE at Hopebox Theatre is wickedly good (teal cast)

KAYSVILLE — The conflict between good and evil is within every one of us.  This truth is told in the captivating story of Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the famous novella by Robert Louis Stevenson.  The musical Jekyll and Hyde has memorable songs filled with inspiration and passion and an unnerving plot. This enthralling tale was brought to the stage in 1990 with the book by Leslie Bricusse, music by Frank Wildhorn, and lyrics by Wildhorn, Bricusse, and Steve Cuden. With a frightening flare, Hopebox Theatre’s Jekyll and Hyde is a treat, not a trick this Halloween season. Directed by Sadie Day, the production is a thrilling show filled with the contrast of uplifting numbers and dark, gruesome murders, and is perfect for this spooky season.

Set in London in the late 1800s, Dr. Jekyll has been working on a cure for the mental illnesses he has seen at the hospital and with his own father.  He is convinced that he can separate the good and evil within men and eliminate the evil leaving only the good behind.  The hospital’s board of directors deny his request to experiment on a patient. Therefore, Dr. Jekyll comes to the conclusion that he must experiment on himself and record his own findings.  However, his potion not only separates the good from the evil but unleashes an evil madman within himself called Mr. Hyde.

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.

James Boley, the Video Projection Designer, created appealing video projections on the side walls of journal writing helping move the show along as Jekyll and Hyde recorded their experiences in a journal with voice over recordings. Lighting Designer Alice J. Remley created a show of mystery and skepticism with moody and dark lighting through overhead spotlights and red accent lighting throughout the night. The lighting in “Murder, Murder” was directly in sync with the music creating a chilling effect and building tension for the murders. As Stephenson sang “Confrontation” the lighting jumped back and forth along with his character helping to portray the dual battle within.

A word of warning: lighting may be hard to handle for those with epilepsy or other sensitivities to flashing lights. Even though this is a great production, I wouldn’t recommend this show to all ages due to some frightening scenes and the racy and seductive number “Bring on the Men”. The theatre describes the content using a movie equivalent rating of PG-13 on their promotional material.

Although Jekyll and Hyde is set in the autumn of 1888, this story is strongly relevant to today’s society as we deal with the realm of mental health.  Including how we as individuals struggle within ourselves with a battle for goodness and evil impulsive thoughts.  Are we the façade that we portray to those around us or are we someone else hidden within who perhaps might fully come out one day?

Attending a show at Hopebox Theatre helps to raise funds and awareness for local community members with cancer. Their commitment and dedication to help those in need is only a little part of what makes Hopebox Theatre so great. Jekyll and Hyde was much more than a simple community theatre production, the professionalism of the theatre and the actors really elevated this show to contend with the bigger theaters in the state. Jekyll and Hyde (Teal Cast) at Hopebox Theatre was exciting and thrilling. Don’t miss this killer show!