Impressive singing highlights the Pike Road Theatre Company's production of Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical. As directed by James Keith Posey, the 1990 Frank Wildhorn-Leslie Bricusse musical demands stamina from its acting company during the two-and-a-half-hour playing time, and has the audience cheering throughout.
Part One: The Source and Legacy -- Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a Gothic "penny dreadful" novella titled Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in 1886, in which an intelligent and well-liked Dr. Jekyll, curious about the duality of human nature, combined with his desire to destroy his untapped darker side, unleashes an evil alter-ego named Mr. Hyde by taking experimental drugs, the gruesome consequences of which are narrated by his trusted friend John Utterson. With many iterations of the tale over the years, it became the source of the "Jekyll/Hyde syndrome" describing several types of split-personality schizophrenia.
Part Two: The Musical -- Loosely based on Stevenson's source, it retains the essence of the duality of the character(s) Jekyll and Hyde, and the chief narration by Utterson. But Jekyll starts his inquiry here as a reaction to his father's comatose condition that he believes is caused by the evil trapped within him, and will go to any extreme to find a remedy. The musical also adds many new characters for Hyde to take revenge on: a hospital's Board of Directors who refuse to give financial support to Jekyll's experiments on human subjects. Additionally, there are two romances, one for Jekyll and one for Hyde. -- As many contemporary musicals have an almost operatic framework, there is little dialogue, relying instead on lyrics and musical motifs, solos/arias, duets, trios, quartets, and chorus numbers to tell the story and sustain audience interest.
Part Three: The Production -- Mr. Posey's direction sustains the intensity of the action of an unlikely subject for a musical. There are a lot of good qualities in the production, yet it would be a top notch experience if audiences could see and hear better. [Though challenged by inadequate lighting, sound, and scenic capabilities -- please, Pike Road "powers-that-be", find the financial resources to enhance the theatrical experience for both actors and audience for this most deserving Company who will soon be in its third Season of otherwise high quality productions.] -- Utterson [Sam Wallace] shares the narration with Sir Danvers Carew [Jack Horner], whose daughter Emma [Rachel Pickering Seeley] is engaged to Dr. Jekyll; and when Jekyll transforms to Mr. Hyde, another love interest emerges in Lucy Harris [Mara Woodall], an "entertainer" at the seedy "Red Rat Club". They are accompanied by a range of supporting characters and a Chorus headed by Mike [David Rowland].
Once you know the premise and watch the consequences of the frequent changes from Jekyll to Hyde, our attention is centered on the music. -- The gift of strong voices in these principal roles carries the plot and subplots: powerful baritones [Mr. Wallace and Mr. Horner] exquisite sopranos [Ms. Seeley and Ms. Woodall are at their best in their Act II duet], and Mr. Rowland's effervescent chorus leader showcase the musical strengths in the show.
The title role(s) are played by Brandtley McDonald. Without a doubt, Mr. McDonald is the star of Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical. His impressive vocal range and clear delivery, his solid acting chops and generosity to the actors who share the stage, keeps the audience attention where it belongs. With limited time off-stage, it takes a lot of stamina to take command and keep it for two challenging acts. Bravo!
Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical is yet another triumph for PRTC, and with Mr. Posey at the helm, the next season promises more of the same.
