HOW TO GO
What: "Jekyll & Hyde"
Where: Playhouse South, Clark Haines Theatre (Kettering Board of Education Building), 3750 Far Hills Ave., Kettering
When: Continues through May 25; Today at 2 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Cost: $13 adults; $11seniors and military; $8 students
Tickets/more info: Call 1-888-262-3792 or go online to www.playhousesouth.org
Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse’s 1997 cult pop musical “Jekyll & Hyde” is the latest offering at Playhouse South in Kettering.
Based on the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, the tuneful musical, which had a short-lived Broadway revival this spring, chronicles the trials, tribulation and temptations of Henry Jekyll, a kindhearted London doctor who concocts a potion that separates the good and evil in humans only to have his wicked alter ego emerge in the form of Edward Hyde.
“I love the struggle between the darker side within ourselves,” said director Jen Skudlarek, whose previous Playhouse South directorial credits include “Children of Eden,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Stop Kiss.” “In today’s society, it’s incredibly relevant because we have so many radicals within portions of society. It’s a constant struggle between faith and what you believe is good and acting out horribly because of it.”
Skudlarek is particularly drawn to the depths of Jekyll’s transformative arc, which begins innocently as a sincere quest to help his father before transitioning into deep, murderous malevolence amid a potent love triangle.
“I absolutely love Jekyll’s journey,” she said. “I also love the opportunity to try a find a more compassionate side to him. Every production of the show I’ve seen had a very arrogant Jekyll, but his journey primarily comes out of a compassion for humanity. Compassion is the driving factor for him throughout the show instead of the belief that he knows he’s right simply because he knows best, which is what I’ve seen in past productions. Jekyll also tries to take care of Emma and Lucy, which showcases his compassionate side, but fails horribly.”
“‘Jekyll & Hyde’ has been a huge learning process for me as an actor and singer,” said TC Schreier, who will star in the title roles. “It has been an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. Being mainly a character actor and mostly a comedic one I was very surprised and honored to be offered this role. My biggest task has been singing. All of the productions of ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ I’ve seen used a voice changer or vocal effects for the actor playing Jekyll and Hyde, but for our production I will only be using my voice — no enhancements. It has been a challenge not only to embody two personalities physically and emotionally but vocally, as well.”
Even so, Schreier, recently seen at Playhouse South in comically unrecognizable fashion as elderly florist Mr. Mushnik in “Little Shop of Horrors,” is taking the challenges in stride. He is particularly grateful for Skudlarek’s leadership and the encouragement of his fellow actors.
“Fortunately, I have had great guidance,” he said. “The ensemble cast is phenomenal and we are all a family unit on this journey into darkness together. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
The score includes soaring anthems “This Is the Moment” and “A New Life” as well as lovely ballads “Someone Like You,” “Take Me As I Am,” “Sympathy, Tenderness,” “Once Upon a Dream” and “In His Eyes.” Lori Topping serves as music director.
The cast includes Janelle Chamness, Gabby Farrow, Josh Hughes, Zach King, Megan Kuchan, Kaylei Lowe, Angela Riley, Sara Robinson, Alex Spencer, Jim Spencer, Katlyn Tilt, Angie Thacker, Desmond Thomas, Vicki Tuccillo, Mike Vanderveen and Mackensie Vonderbrink.
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