“Jekyll & Hyde” : The masterpiece from Division Street, Moves to the Broadway Playhouse!

***** Chicago is a very special city. Our theater community is probably as close to “family” as one might find, and it is because of that, and the high-quality productions of our smaller, independent companies, that we can have Broadway in Chicago work with these companies to bring their stellar work to their Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place. One of these companies is Kokandy Productions, which over the years has done amazing work, utilizing non-stage areas better than any audience might have thought could be done.

Their production of “Jekyll & Hyde”, conceived by Steve Cruden & Frank Wildhorn, with a book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and music by Wildhorn, was a smash hit when performed in their Division Street home, The Chopin Theatre. It has now been remounted and moved to the larger venue at Water Tower Place known as The Broadway Playhouse. The set (Sotirios Livaditus U.S.A.) has been brought to  Chestnut Steet and placed on this slightly larger stage to bring this play back to life..and it is having a great second wind!

Before I get into some details, I want to say that I have always felt every performer has at least one role they were “born to bring to life.”  I truly feel as if  David Moreland, who is magnificent as Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, was indeed born to bring this character to life. His ability to use his voice and body to display his transformation is mind-boggling, and you will find yourselves in a sort of hypnotic trance as you watch.

For those of you unaware of the story itself, it is about murder and evil versus love and virtue. Of course, it is based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson and is a spellbinding score of songs with notes that one might think cannot be hit, but this cast, gets them all. Ava Lane Stovall as Lucy hits and sustains notes that seem to go on forever, and she does it with grace. Emily ( the lovely Emily McCormick) is another powerful cast member, and these are the two women that are the loves of Jekyll and Hyde.

Special note: While this is primarily the same cast, same set, same director and same everything except venue, some of the cast members from the original are now doing other plays in other venues, as well as some of them being involved with the current five star production at Kokandy. “Sunday In The Park With George”, so there are some alternates in this one. For example Kevin Webb, who is terrific as Gabriel John Utterson is also playing George at the Chopin, so he is ONLY in this production on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and select Sundays, with Joe Giovannetti playing the role on the other dates.

The ensemble in this production is dynamic, highly energetic, and extremely talented.In addition to those named earlier, Nathan Calaranan, Ismael Garcia, Jon Parker Jackson, Quinn Kelch, Quin Rigg, Gaby Sauceda-Kozoil, Quin Simmons, Maiko Terazawa, Halli Morgan, and Andrew Lund. It seems that the Kokandy people find talent, or perhaps the talent seeks out this wonderful theater company that brings challenging and complex musicals to their stage, or basement, or other people’s stages.

Here is my review from 11 months ago! This is a powerful move from Division Street- the new production is even stronger in their new home!

***** It is not very often that I think I might need to add another star, making it 6*’s and having that mean- “find a way to get a ticket, because you do not want to miss this production”. I have been witness to several productions of “Jekyll & Hyde, based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson , ” The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” published in 1886. The play was conceived and adapted for the stage by Frank Wildhorn , who wrote the music and  with a book by Leslie Bricusse, who wrote the  lyrics as well. (note: many of you may recall the name Bricusse from his work with Anthony Newley ( “Stop The World- I Want To Get Off”, “The Roar of the Greasepaint- The Smell of the Crowd” , “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory” and more), and in this work, he has created a libretto that truly allows the audience to watch the story unfold.

Kokandy Productins, over the years has become a talent magnet. It seems that young performers who come to Chicago seeking roles in area theaters have added this company to be one where they will be found and, if they are talented, will be cast. For many years I have always said that Theo Ubique had that magic, but watching what we have seen at Kokandy, it appears that they are also in that league, and as a theater-goer, I truly am thankful that this is the case. Their production of “Jekyll and Hyde” has moved up at the Chopin Theatre, being staged ( a fantastic job by Derek Van Barham) on the main stage on a set designed by  Sotorios Livaditas, allowing the audience to be involved with every character and to be able to watch the powerful David Moreland transform his dual personalities with no changes except his personality and his body movements. I am pretty sure I see a “Jeff” recommendation for him.

The new production is absolutely one to put on your DO NOT MISS list!

Tuesdays           7:00 p.m.