Theater Review – ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ The Musical’
Produced by: Theatre Three – Port Jefferson Reviewed by: Jeb Ladouceur
Half the English speaking world is at least familiar with the existence of Robert Louis Stevenson’s horror story, ‘The Strange case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.’ Indeed, along with ‘Treasure Island’ and ‘Kidnapped,’ the novella is one of the most widely read of the Victorian writer’s dozens of works. So esteemed is Stevenson internationally in fact, that he still ranks as the 26th most translated author in history.It is hardly surprising, therefore, that in 1997 New York’s theatergoing public was eventually treated to a musical version of ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ when the show of the same name opened at Broadway’s Plymouth Theatre and ultimately completed an almost-four-year run there. The hit thus became the longest-running production in the history of the renowned Plymouth at the time, and closed in January, 2001, after an impressive 1,543 regular performances.
Co-produced by Jerry Frankel and Jeffrey Richards, and directed by Robin Phillips, the original cast featured the Tony winning Robert Cuccioli in the dual roles of Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde, Linda Eder as Lucy Harris, and Christiane Noll as Emma Carew. When all was said and done, the hit musical was rewarded with no fewer than thirteen Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle nominations.
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Long Islanders have come to expect a number of exquisite period pieces from Theatre Three and its guiding light, Director Jeffrey Sanzel (‘A Christmas Carol’ for example, will likely remain permanently synonymous with the vintage 160-year-old Port Jefferson playhouse) and the addition of ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ to such recent productions as ‘Sweeney Todd’ and ‘Les Miserables’ won’t disappoint even the most ardent history purists.
In Stevenson’s gripping tale wherein the brilliant Dr. Jekyll’s medical experiment backfires and spawns Edward Hyde, his evil counterpart, Alan Stentiford amazingly takes on the divergent roles as if the assignment were a simple one. Furthermore, Stentiford adds a clear, well-polished singing voice to the lyrical proceedings. He is skillfully supported in that assignment by Douglas Quattrock (playing Sir Danvers Carew) and Steven Uihlein (Simon Stride).
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Among the distaff players, incomparable veterans Linda May and Tracylynn Conner are featured in the roles of Lady Beaconsfield and Lucy Harris respectively. That duo alone is well worth the time and price of admission we have wisely invested in attending this remarkable event. When one adds Tamralynn Dorsa’s sweet soprano to the mix in the role of Emma Carew, the trio becomes truly unforgettable.
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Chakira Doherty’s Costumes and Randy Parsons’ Scenic Design are impressive as always … as are Jeffrey Hoffman’s Musical Direction and Robert W. Henderson, Jr.’s Lighting (so important in a dark story like this one). As for the show’s overall Direction, let it be said that the name ‘Jeffrey Sanzel’ on a playbill is akin to the word ‘Sterling’ on silver. Largely because of Sanzel’s leadership it is small wonder that Theatre Three on Port Jefferson’s Main Street has become the chief drawing card in a town so replete with charming attractions.
This musical version of ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ runs thru October 26th … and, because it is faithful to the Broadway production, management advises that the show contains adult themes and situations.
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Award-winning writer, Jeb Ladouceur is the author of a dozen novels, and his theater and book reviews appear in several major L.I. publications. His recent hit, THE GHOSTWRITERS, explores the bizarre relationship between the late Harper Lee and Truman Capote. Ladouceur’s topical thriller, THE SOUTHWICK INCIDENT (introduced at the Smithtown Library recently) involves a radicalized Yale student and his CIA pursuers. Mr. Ladouceur’s revealing website is www.JebsBooks.com