By Becky Evans
A perfectly sinister musical Jekyll & Hyde based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic thriller, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is currently playing at Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse in Washington Terrace–and it rocks! Dr. Jekyll is convinced that he can cure mental illness and improve humanity by isolating good and evil in order to remove the evil. Experimenting on himself, Jekyll inadvertently creates an alternate personality of pure evil, dubbed Mr. Hyde, who wreaks murderous havoc on the city of London. Two women become intertwined with these two personalities within the one man. Jekyll’s fiancée Emma (Morgan Richards) who loves him no matter how much he becomes engrossed in his work, and Lucy (Kylee Ogzewalla) (her double is Stefanie Franc), a woman of questionable rapport who ends up loving both Jekyll and the evil Mr. Hyde.
Almost 20 years ago, I saw the original Broadway cast perform Jekyll and Hyde—it was an experience I will never forget. Being surrounded by a Robert Cuccioli fan club of middle-aged women from Jersey whose biggest dream in life was to be sweated on or spat upon by the leading man (which is why they chose to sit on the front row), I decided that the role of Jekyll makes the show. At the Terrace, Jekyll is played by Landon Horton and Matthew Hewitt and they do not disappoint. Horton sings with such passion and heart and his amazing tenor voice is spot on. He has worked hard at perfecting this role and developing lung capacity. In “This is the Moment“, he holds his final note so long I thought he might pass out but he finishes strong and powerfully. I’ve seen and performed with Hewitt before and I know that his performance will be just as amazing so I’m looking for tickets to come see it again on his night (Friday and every other Monday).
Richards is a true soprano and portrays a depth of love and support with everything she sings. She was difficult to hear at the beginning of the show during “Take Me as I Am” but her character blossomed and gained strength climaxing in her power-duet “In his Eyes” with Lucy. Lucy may be my favorite character and Ogzewalla’s performance is stunning. Her mezzo-soprano is clear, hearty and on-pitch. Other notable performances include John Utterson (Nicholas Balaich) who is an actor of the highest caliber, Lady Beaconsfield (Carla Zarate) who exemplifies the hoity-toityness of the upper class, Lady Savage (Lindy Page) who transforms into a very fun and interesting character, and Spider (Hans Kurzius) who is perfectly evil and creepy, which befits a Halloween show.
Sometimes in musical theatre and especially community theatre there are distractions that pull you out of the show like props that don’t quite fit in a scene or ensemble members peaking around a corner waiting for a cue. This production has none of that- it is highly professional and everything in the show including scenery, props, and costumes add to the feel of being in 18th Century London. The ensemble is impressive in their vocal harmonies even when singing from off-stage thanks in large part to the talented Musical Director Jamie Balaich. Director Dennis Ferrin designed the sets and keeps the momentum of the show moving by using the wings of the stage to allow actors to tell the story while sets and props are moved seamlessly on the main stage so that by the end of their song they can walk right into the next scene with no pauses.
There are also some magical elements that increase suspense and add to the creepiness of the performance including lightning (Lighting Designer Don Wilhelm and Lightboard Operator Teri Beecher) color changing potions, and off-stage singers who add to the suspenseful mood. I’ve tried to pick a favorite scene, but I just can’t. I love the energy in “Murder, Murder,” of course “Confrontation” is amazing with the added lights and ambiance. The opening scene “Façade“ impressed me with how the production team combines costuming, choreography, and talented vocals to tell a story of how two groups (one poor, one wealthy) perceive each other and how most people present themselves to others in a way that shows how they want to be seen rather than how they truly are. We would all do well to allow ourselves to be more raw and real with those we care about and to look beyond the facades we see on social media.
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Produced by Jacci Florence, the production team has replaced some of the swear words in the script and their prostitute girls are pretty modest in their dress reflecting the values of the community. However, because of the dark nature of the show, on-screen murders and on-stage gun shots, this production may not be suitable for younger audiences.
This is such a fun show to see at this spooky time of year as it is in the style of Frankenstein and Dracula. Director Ferrin hopes it will inspire you to re-read “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” Come have fun and get a little scared and thoroughly entertained by Beverly’s Terrace’s Plaza’s Playhouse production of Jekyll & Hyde.
Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse, 99 E. 4700 South, Washington Terrace, UT 84405
Performances: 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 11
Tickets: $9-14 at www.terraceplazaplayhouse.com/tickets
Contact: 801-393-0070
Beverly’s Terrace Plaza Playhouse Facebook Page
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