Bohemian Theater Ensemble's (BOHO) haunting production of "Jekyll & Hyde" provides the timeless tale of good versus evil against the backdrop of the classic story and a stirring musical score.
We all know the legend: Dr. Henry Jekyll is destined to separate the two natures of man. Refused help by his peers and local hospital board, he begins experimenting on himself. Although he first meets with success, disaster looms. The story has been filmed, parodied, staged, even animated, but setting it to music helps lift the story to new heights, and BOHO's adept cast doesn't hurt.
Standouts in BOHO's production include Courtney Crouse, who easily contorts himself into the monstrous Edward Hyde from the usually mild Dr. Jekyll. Crouse's vocal range proves astounding in BOHO's theater space. Equally matched on the vocal level is Dr. Jekyll's love interest Laura McClain, whose role as Emma evokes much sympathetic emotion.
Throughout the production, the ensemble plays host to characters from both ends of a social strata—courtesans become ladies through pulling a few strings on their costumes, and capes are donned, changing gentlemen into rogues and back again. All play into the duality of the show's theme.
The addition of story narration by Dr. Jekyll's confidante John Utterson (John B. Leen) helps fill in the time jumps, letting the audience know that the emergence of Edward Hyde will grip London with murder and fear.
With set design by John Zuiker, the central gothic structure is transformed into a street, a courtyard, a laboratory and even a brothel. The ensemble takes care of most of the set changes, which are a bit clunky and loud, at times overpowering the action and/or song being performed on stage.
Crouse's strong battle between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in Act II's number "Confrontation" proves that despite the grisly subject, this is really a gripping thriller. But who will win in the end? After all, what evil lurks in the heart of man?
Reviewed by Centerstage!
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