Show Dates: October 29, 30, November 5, 6, 12, 13 @ 8:00 PM
November 7 & 14 @ 3:00 PM
Compelling & Thrilling
ANOTHER EXIT 7 WINNER
Reviewed by Donna Bailey-Thompson
To label Jekyll & Hyde a musical is misleading because although it is that, it is more. Yes, there are dancing girls and love songs. But there is also an absorbing story, beautiful music that at times blends classical with pop, lyrics that advance the story, a large cast, many speaking/ singing roles, appropriate costumes. The format is as much “opera” as “musical” The language is English and every word is clearly enunciated.
In other words, if you want to be well entertained by dedicated, experienced actors who can act and sing at the same time, Jekyll & Hyde is yours to savor.
Dr. Jekyll’s father suffers from a mental illness that has transformed him into a drooling vegetable. Jekyll wonders if his father’s illness is caused by evil existing within his soul. He wants to find out why man is capable of committing both good and evil deeds. If he succeeds, he believes he can save other unfortunates suffering with debilitating mental illness. His first song is a tender tribute to his father, “Lost in the Darkness,” and the second is an impassioned “I Need to Know,” an intent that suggests its origin is altruistic. An energetic chorus sings “Facade” with the fervor of having discovered a great truth: all of us hide our true selves.
Although the story of Jekyll’s experiments with potions that bring out and/or expose the evil within him is well known -- even the ending is known -- nevertheless fascination and suspense are created by a superb cast that is totally “in” the moment with a score that is married to the story. The music is intricate as well as melodic. Everything works in concert.
As Jekyll, Ben Ashley is outstanding. When Jekyll is good, he’s very, very good, and when he’s bad, he’s Hyde – evil, epitomizing amorality. His Jekyll love for his betrothed, Emma (Melissa Dupont), and hers for him, are genuine. His attraction to Lucy (Katie Clark) and hers to him is complicated by her neediness and his descent into depravity. But oh my, how they can sing! They ease naturally from speaking to singing and back again. Everyone does!
There’s not a sour note in this production. Everyone performs with conviction. The costumes (Joanne Ela, Kim Lynch, Lori Rodrioguez, Winnie Cardaropoli) are appropriate. The lighting design (Frank Croke) enhances the action.
There are 30 in the cast, and every one is an asset to this polished production. This feat reflects well on the Production Team: Director Kim Lynch making her Exit 7 directorial debut where years back, she was a youth member, honors the pace of the script while coaxing the best each cast member can give. Musical Director Christina Climo, also making her Exit 7 debut, appreciates the sensitivity and power of the lyrics and music which she has passed along to the orchestra. And they get it – Ben Mabrey, piano; Sean Uliasz, keyboard/strings; James Snedeker, woodwinds; Dan Hendrix, trombone; Dave Bussell, trombone; and Dan Holmes, drums/percussion.
Choreographer Alison Forance (assisted by Stacy Ashley) makes moving groups of six or twelve or sixteen look as uncomplicated as turning a kaleidoscope. Year after year, Master Carpenter/Technical Advisor Paul Hamel’s sets work, whether serious or whimsical. Stage Manager Winnie Cardaropoli is a traffic cop during rehearsals, but once it’s show time of a production with many scenes involving a few to many actors, it’s her responsibility to keep the backstage wheels greased and on the right tracks. Riding herd over all the above is Lori Rodriguez, Producer.
Stated in the program is this: “The Exit 7 Players is completely run and operated by volunteers.” Sometimes, like now, writing this review, that’s hard to believe.
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The Cast
Jennifer Almeida Pike (Red Rat Girl/Chorus)
Ben Ashley (Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde)
Bejamin Ashley Jr. (Newsboy)
Stacy Ashley (Red Rat Girl/Chorus)
Mary Broderick (Lady Beaconsfield)
David Chivers (Pool/Chorus)
Katie Clark (Lucy Harris)
David Climo (Minister/Chorus)
Jim Crowley (Sir Danvers)
Liz Dion (Person of London)
Melissa Dupont (Emma Carew)
Jeffrey Erb (General Lord Glossop)
Diane Fauteux (Red Rat Girl/Chorus)
Megan Fish (Red Rat Girl/Chorus)
Taylor-Jordan Fournier (Person of London)
Damon Gunn (Lord Savage)
Danny Herres (Bishop of Basingstoke/Bissett)
Chris McKenzie Willenbrock (Red Rat Girl/Chorus)
Joshua Osborne (Archibald Proops)
Kathy Renaud (Nellie)
Nina Rodriguez (Person of London)
Jenna Rud (Red Rat Girl/Chorus)
Steven Sands (John Utterson)
Sheila Scherlin (Person of London)
Megan Vanderpost (Person of London)
David Webber (Newsboy)
John F. Woytowicz (Simon Stride/Spider)
Juliette Aielinski (Person of London)
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Available through Blockbuster: Telecast of the Broadway musical, "Jekyll & Hyde" from the Plymouth Theater in New York City prior to the show's closing on January 7, 2001. The musical is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story of romance and the battle between good and evil. A whirlwind odyssey pitting man against himself is set in motion when the brilliant Dr. Jekyll's medical experiment backfires, giving life to Edward Hyde, his alter ego.
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