JEKYLL & HYDE
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was the brainstorm of Scottish author Robert
Louis Stevenson, a novel he wrote in 1886 about good versus evil. Hollywood made
it into an award-winning film in 1931, winning an Oscar for Frederic March as Best
Actor in 1932. Once again, Hollywood chose to make another film of the same book
in 1941 starring Spencer Tracy. Obviously, this story has a great deal of attraction
for theatrical purposes. But who would have ever thought it could make it as a
Broadway musical?
The musical Jekyll & Hyde first opened on Broadway April 28, 1997,
played 1543 performances, closing Jan. 7, 2001. In 2001 it was produced on television,
and after a recent three-year run on Broadway, it opened at the Cabrillo Music Theatre
in the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.
The thirty member cast directed by the outstanding Nick DeGruccio, is
in itself, outstanding. Robert J. Townsend, who plays Jekyll/Hyde is stupendous
in the role(s); his swift change of characters, without the use of makeup but simply
by suddenly becoming disheveled and changing his posture, is a work of art. And
what a magnificent voice he offers as well. The book and lyrics of Jekyll &
Hyde, by Leslie Bricusse, music by Frank Wildhorn, weave the story together flawlessly.
Beth Obregon plays Dr. Jekyll’s lovely fiancée, Emma Carew; LuLu Lloyd performs
the role of Lucy Harris, Edward Hyde’s Prostitute paramour. Other members of the
cast include Aaron Phillips, Douglas Crawford, Jack E. Curenton, Terry Fishman,
Mona King, John D. LeMay, Caitlin McGinty, Ron Rezac, August Stoten and Tony Teofilo.
The entire production, the voices and performances, the fabulous costumes (supervised
by Christine Gibson), the superb seventeen-piece orchestra under the direction of
Steven Applegate, is brilliant. Broadway couldn’t have done it better! Highly
recommended.
Thursdays through Saturdays, 8 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. through March 16
For ticket and theatre information call (805) 449-2787
The Cabrillo Music Theatre in the Kavli Theatre of the Thousand Oaks
Civic Arts Plaza
2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Thousand Oaks, California