Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
World Premiere of DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher
Based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson, Directed by David Ira Goldstein
Co-Produced with Arizona Theatre Company. Where: San Jose Repertory Theatre (SJRP), 101 Paseo de
A DRAMATIC, FRESH, MUST SEE VERSION OF JEKYLL & HYDE
Even if you have seen the many versions of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic horror tale of struggle between Good versus Evil within the same man, be prepared to see this startling, fresh adaptation conjured up by Jeffery Hatcher. Although it is booked as a world premiere, this production travels intact from its successful run in
In previous versions, a single actor plays both Dr. Jekyll and Edward Hyde. Author Hatcher envisions Hyde with four separate personalities played by four separate actors and one of them is a woman. With the exception of R. Hamilton Wright playing Dr. Jekyll and Anna Bullard playing Elizabeth Jelkes, Hyde’s’ lover, the major characters play multiple roles along with their stints as Edward Hyde. Yes, you read the previous sentence properly. Archer has dumped the dichotomy of good and bad creating a more multi-varied nature to both Jekyll and Hyde. Jekyll is not the dedicated goody-goody two shoes portrayed by Spencer Tracy in the movie. He has a vindictive streak and Hyde has enough of a touch of vulnerability to be loved by
The story line has not been sanitized and the mayhem is still there. Under Goldstein’s superb direction the horror is muted with the simple expediency of hiding it behind a muslin screen with back lighting creating enlarged silhouettes. Goldstein has the luxury of a fantastic set (Kent Dorsey) with a circular wood lined Victorian operating theater that smoothly changes into a lecture hall, an apartment and laboratory. Then there is a stroke of genius having a moveable red door to transport us in and out of Hyde’s dark world. All this is enhanced by the lighting (Dawn Chiang) and sound design (Brian Jerome Peterson).
The actors represent a Who’s Who of Bay Area theatre. Icon Ken Ruta as Utterson, Jekyll’s solicitor, fills a role as narrator when he is not playing Hyde as a thinking man’s ghoul. He enhances his expressive voice with his mastery of non-verbal communication art with his intriguing hand motions. Carrie Paff who recently dominated the role of Blanche in Marin Theatre Company’s “Streetcar Named Desire”, deftly projects Hyde’s sexuality when she is not playing the uptight manservant to Jekyll. Mark Anderson Phillips who was awarded the Shellie Award as best actor in “How The Other Half Loves” is allowed to display his dramatic personae with Hyde’s maniacal tendencies. Stephen D’Ambrose who has an extensive resume, is new to the Bay Area and subtlety creates the Hyde’s sly nature when he is not being the object of Hyde’s vengeance.
Although R. Hamilton Wright is of short stature he stands tall in his role, initially displaying Jekyll’s touch of the “little man syndrome” antagonizing a colleague and finally truly showing remorse recognizing the horror he has created. Beautiful Anna Bullard also has the luxury of playing only one character. Her love for the despicable Hyde appears terrifyingly real. She handles the role with class.
This Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde will only be here until June 8, so book your ticket now. Running time is just under 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission.
Courtesy of TheatreWorld Internet Magazine