Best of the Best Jekyll & Hyde The Musical Thrills and Chills at The Little Theatre of Alexandria
“In each of us there are two natures,” asserts Dr. Henry Jekyll, who before long will take his claim of psychological duality to the depths of diabolical depravity surrounded by his fellow Victorians. Within a society so prim, proper, and structured, some of the most horrific crimes were committed and fantasized about.
Jekyll & Hyde, the musical, is based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s original Gothic horror novella. Set in 1888, Year One of the twelve gruesome Whitechapel murders in London’s East End and the start of Jack the Ripper’s staggering crime spree, it becomes the framework for Dr. Jekyll’s forays into the sordid side of London, where he finds himself celebrating his engagement at the Red Rat cabaret with his trusted attorney, Gabriel John Utterson. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Ostracized for his dangerous theories by the Board of Governors of the local hospital and given no latitude to pursue his experiments, the young doctor retreats to his home laboratory to prove he can rid society of the evils of all mankind. Using himself as the subject experiment, Jekyll begins his transformation into the murderous monster he will become as Mr. Edward Hyde.
Underpinned by a lavish score, this jaw-dropping production, framed by an astounding 40 musical numbers, offers up a terrific cast. Led by a treasure of a performer in Michael E. McGovern (where has he been hiding?) as both Jekyll and Hyde, this show delivers on all levels from stellar cast to inventive set design to intricate staging on a two-tiered stage. With a 24-member cast and 12-piece orchestra playing multiple instruments, high praise goes to Director Jennifer Hardin, Choreographer Stefan Sittig, Fight Captain Nathaniel McCay and Music Director Mark V. Deal. It takes a village to stage this mammoth musical and do it justice and this production team has achieved it magnificently.
Complementing McGovern is Shelby Young as Emma, Jekyll’s fiancée. Emma is the perfect counterpoint to Jekyll’s descent into madness in her charm, beauty and grace. With her gorgeous soprano voice, Young fulfills this role to perfection. Her rival for Jekyll’s affections is Lucy Harris, played by Lexi Mellott. Mellott has terrific timing plus outstanding vocal and dance chops wowing the audience in her seductive cabaret number “Bring on the Men” backed by the Red Rat chorus line. Hyde’s unctuous obsession with the captivating gamin is compelling.
You will thrill to Emma’s heart-wrenching number, “Once Upon a Dream”, Jekyll’s “I Need to Know”, “This is the Moment” and “Alive” as well as Lucy’s poignant “A New Life” and her duet with Hyde in a danse macabre “Dangerous Game”.
Watching McGovern transform into Mr. Hyde, the incalculably villainous monster, is both riveting and frightening. Over the past decade I have reviewed some amazing, WATCH award-winning musicals at LTA, but this one stands among the top ten on my “Best of the Best” list.
If you like Sweeney Todd, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera and Cabaret, imagine those iconic musicals combined in one show and you’ve got the picture. Here sweet romance, grisly murders, a hot jazz club and high and low society coexist in one rip-roaring musical.
Highly recommended. An absolute must-see show!
With Matt Yinger as Gabriel John Utterson; Brian Ash as Sir Danvers Carew; Michael Blinde as Jekyll’s Father/Inmate/Priest/Ensemble; Nathaniel McCay as Simon Stride; Amanda Jones as Lady Beaconsfield; Andrew Cosner as The Bishop of Basingstoke; Mylo Cluff as Lord Savage; Cristian Bustillos as General Lord Glossop; James Best as Sir Archibald Proops; Melanie Campbell, Cristina Casais, Shannon Hardy and Dani Lock as Red Rat Girl/Ensemble; Robin Lewis as Nellie, a prostitute; Jae Damauier as Spider, a pimp; Dino Vergura as Bisset Apothecary/Featured Ensemble; and Sharon Eddy, Josh Katz, Jillian Rubino and Garrett Walsh in the ensemble.
Conceived for the stage by Steve Cuden & Frank Wildhorn; Book and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse; Music by Frank Wildhorn; Orchestration by Kim Scharnberg; Arrangements by Jason Howland; Produced by Luana Bossolo & sheri ratick stroud; Directed by Jennifer Hardin; Music Direction by Mark V. Deal; Choreography by Stefan Sittig; Set Design by Lawrence “Skip” Gresko; Lighting Design by JK Lighting; Sound Design by David Correia; Period Costume Design by Jean Schlichtingand Kit Sibley; Stage Combat/Intimacy Co-Directors Brianna Goode and Stefan Sittig; Special Effects and Multimedia Design by David Moretti; Dialect Coach Alden Michels; Hair Design/Makeup Design by Robin Maline and Lanae Sterrett.
Through November 9 at The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. For tickets and information, call the box office at 703 683-5778 or visit www.TheLittleTheatre.com
