A Dark Tale of Dual Identity: Jekyll & Hyde at Bridge Players Theatre Company
by Lisa Palena
“What streak of madness lies inside me? What is the truth my fears conceal? What evil force makes Edward Hyde of me? What darker side of me does he reveal?” These lyrics, sung by Dr. Henry Jekyll in the musical Jekyll & Hyde, offer a chilling look down an evil path from which he won’t return. It’s a well known story - man seeks knowledge, attempts the improbable, succeeds, and then immediately realizes the danger of playing God. Such tropes exist throughout gothic literature, but nowhere is this more evident than in the famous tale of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, written by Robert Louis Stevenson and adapted for the stage by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn.
The story revolves around Dr. Henry Jekyll, whose mentally ill father is committed to St. Jude’s Mental Hospital. Jekyll, who firmly believes that evil is the cause for his father’s illness, decides to experiment with the idea of separating good from evil within man. However, the members of the hospital board vehemently disagree, leading Jekyll to use himself in order to test his experiment and making way for his malevolent alter ego - Edward Hyde - to appear. Initially, Jekyll is able to control both sides of his personality but soon Hyde takes over, and after a series of gruesome murders, it’s clear that there is no turning back. Those who are familiar with the novella should be aware; however, that the story has been changed fairly significantly and includes the addition of two female characters (the novella had no female characters in main roles).
Director Antonino Baldasari does a fantastic job bringing this genuinely grim story to life, developing not only an appropriately sinister setting but also fully fleshed out characters. He is joined by Cassie Greenberg, his Assistant Director, in establishing the eerie tone that reflects the storyline. Their vision is amplified with a set which successfully utilizes the limited space, designed by Jeff Rife, who also served as producer. Enhancing the setting is a small but intricate chemistry table, perfect for creating a believable laboratory for Jekyll - its use of varied colors was outstanding and drew the audience’s attention every time it appeared. This attention to detail by Rife and Tech Director/Lighting Designer Bob Beaucheane is unmatched, particularly for the size of this production. Stage Manager Mars Williams and Assistant Stage Manager Molly Connolly keep the pacing of the show moving through various set changes and the clean up of “blood” after each murder. The costumes, designed by Thom Sirkot and Anna Adam, effectively place actors in the late 1800s while in turn reflecting each character’s individual personality. Eileen Ashley’s vocal direction highlights what is arguably the best part of this stage adaptation, the music - from Jekyll’s introspective wonderings to the harsh realizations of Hyde, the songs work to propel the action and provide character motivation. Rounding out an impressive production team are Fight/Intimacy Directors Terri J. McIntyre and Sean McGarry, Choreographer Jessica Brotherton Newlin, and audio tech Jessi Meisel.
In a show titled Jekyll & Hyde, its success relies on an actor who can convincingly play dual personas, and Thom Sirkot in the titular role does not disappoint. He adeptly captures the transformations from Jekyll to Hyde (and back again) through changes in posture, expressions, and tonal shifts - switching between his “good” and “evil” self. Especially impressive are his Jekyll vocals, particularly during the musical’s big song, “This is the Moment.” As Hyde he is sometimes difficult to understand, but that is due more to the space than his efforts.
However, Sirkot’s is not the only strong performance. Meg Bryan and Cassidy Reminiski are both excellent as Lucy and Emma, respectively; the tragic figures who both love Jekyll and are yet unaware of his secret. Both these actors have incredible voices and absolutely shine onstage, most notably during their beautifully haunting duet “In His Eyes,” although all of their individual songs were also standout moments. Even though their characters are tragically underdeveloped in the script, the actors bring a vulnerability and empathy to the story which is much needed in this dark piece.
Although it's technically a large cast show at 18 members, every person is given the opportunity to showcase a fantastic performance. The hospital board members, comprised of Rick Pine (as Danvers Carew), Patrick Walton (as General Glossop), Felix Ramos (as the Bishop of Basingstroke), Nicole Manning (as Lady Beaconsfield), Evan Long (as Sir Archibald Proops) and Jason Petti (as Lord Savage), all work together in wonderful synchronicity, balancing varying personalities effortlessly and creating a unified front. Additionally, William Reid’s Simon Stride and Kori Rife’s Spider stand out amongst the crowd - their presence onstage is exceptional and they draw the audience in on each appearance. From Vincent Sisley (as John Utterton) to Camryn Ragland (as Nellie) to Mj Smith (as Poole), the main characters all have their own moments to shine. And joining them are ensemble members Caroline Piotrowski, Jensen Davis, Anna Adam, and Alyssa Winkelspecht. There is clear chemistry among the cast - providing endless entertainment when they join together onstage for a vocal number or scene.
The pit orchestra - Matt Akiewicz, Derrick Banks, John Clark, Charlie De Mets, Talia Fisher, David Kaplan, and Lee Milhous - does a magnificent job under the direction of Conductor Jim Sheffer. Oftentimes a complaint during a musical is the orchestra overpowering the actors, but Sheffer expertly conducts in a way to avoid this issue while additionally keeping the pace of the actors in mind. The instrumentals in this show are particularly lovely, and the orchestra did not disappoint in doing their part to powerfully tell this story.
Jekyll & Hyde is an extremely challenging musical production, and this cast and crew provides a compelling look at one of the most thought-provoking stories of all time. If you get a chance to see it, you should! The show runs through November 9th and you can purchase tickets at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/BridgePlayers/7570
