Review: 'Jekyll & Hyde The Musical' by the Warner Stage Company

Dedicated to my godmother, Peggy Lagasse,with love and gratitude

Torrington, CT - It has been nearly 17 years since JEKYLL & HYDE has been produced on the stage of the Warner Theatre in Torrington, and it is a musical that is new to me. Given the subject matter, I wasn’t sure what to expect, or even that I would appreciate its dark nature. However, by the time the second scene set in a London Square featuring the number “Facade” began, the show had won me over with the beautiful music sung by the stunning voices of the cast members and the engrossing story.

“Murder and chaos run rampant and evil lurks around every corner, but love and virtue put up a strong fight in this engaging thriller. This show mixes together characters from both ends of the social spectrum, songs and scenes that provide ample chills and thrills, and a main character split between the extremes of morality.” - Keith Paul & Sharon W. Houk, Co-Directors of JEKYLL & HYDE

JEKYLL & HYDE The Musical was conceived for the stage by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn, with book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and music by Frank Wildhorn. Steve Cuden contributed to the lyrics on several of the songs. It is of course based on the Robert Louis Stevenson book The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In the program, Warner Executive Director Lynn Gelormino describes it as a story of dual personalities that came to the author probably in a medicinal cocaine-induced dream; it was reportedly written in less than six days. Much has been added to the musical version which ran on Broadway in the late 90s for four years.

The co-directors ensured that the action moved thrillingly and quickly and painted several memorable stage pictures with the help of the stunning lighting designed by Kyle Kurtich. I most enjoyed the numbers that I recognized like “This Is The Moment,” “Murder, Murder,” as well as the quartet “His Work, And Nothing More.”

The venerable Mrs. Houk, who has been involved in both professional and community theatre for over 30 years, is the Producing Artistic director at the Warner. Mr. Paul is the Artistic Director behind the Desultory Theatre Club, and has directed several shows at the Warner's Nancy Marine Studio Theater.

The music director Holly J. Mcann (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the Warner) mightily led both the singers and musicians and Peggy Terhune served as choreographer, as she did for the 2003 production. Set design by Stephen C.Houk was basically stark and very effective. Costumes designed by Phoebe Katzin wonderfully set the scenes and era, as can be seen in the production photos taken by Luke Haughwout and Mandi Martini. Renee C. Purdy was in charge of the lovely millinary, wigs, hair and makeup.

“The only thing constant is change…”

In the title roles of both the doctor and the evil Mr. Hyde, Tim Reilly (OLIVER, EVITA) gave it his all in his third Warner show. He managed to transform himself back and forth between the two characters with only the addition of a coat; the rest he accomplished with the carriage of his body and a lowering of his voice. It was very effective, despite my seat in the back of the vintage theatre. I also appreciated the bits of humor that he played well to lighten the heavy tone, although the emphasis was definitely on gasps and even tears that his character evoked.

Patrick R. Spadaccino (A CHRISTMAS CAROL, which I unfortunately missed) opens the first act as Gabriel John Utterson in his sixth Warner show and he did very well with all aspects of the role. George Murphy (WAIT UNTIL DARK) brought to life Sir Danvers Carew. John Zimmerman appeared as an old man and an inmate. Hal Chernoff (JOSEPH, ONCE) was very proper as The Right Honourable Archibald Proops, John Zimmerman (MAMMA MIA!) was Lord Savage, Payton Turpin (FOLLIES) stepped easily into the role of General Lord Glossop in his second time in J&H at the Warner, and Jonathan Parks and Matt Martin played gentlemen. Marilyn Olsen (Rosie in MAMMA MIA!) nearly stole every scene she appeared in as Lady Beaconsfield.

What a treat to see Roxie Quinn (Dolly Levi in HELLO, DOLLY!) again front and center on this stage. As Lucy Harris, the “main attraction” of “The Red Rat,” this talented singer/actress gave an outstanding performance. “Someone Like You” and “A New Life” brought cheers from the opening night audience and rightly so. Lyn Nagel (Miss Mona in WHOREHOUSE) was memorable in the supporting role of Nellie, the manageress of the RR.

It was special for me to see Marcia Maslo, who often lights up the Seven Angels stage, on the Warner stage, reprising her role as the beautiful Emma Crew, Dr. Jekyll’s fiance. Of course she sang perfectly and brought the proper glow to the role. Ms. Maslo played Emma at the Warner 17 years ago, as well as 14 years ago in Thomaston.

WCSU grad Daniel JJ Dressel (THE GAME'S AFOOT at the Warner, ALMOST, MAINE in Goshen) was impressive as Mr. Simon Stride and Meric Martin (LIBERTY, TITANIC as an actor, music director and pit musician for many more) showed off his glorious tenor voice as Basil, the Bishop of Basingstoke, returning to the stage to portray Spider, the proprietor of “The Red Rat.” Matthew Martin is also blessed with a wonderful tenor voice that he displayed in his role as a newsboy. Jeff McGurk (NEWSIES) played Poole, Mr. Parks also played Bisset, the apothecary and Kaitlyn Anthony (JOSEPH, TOMMY, ROCK OF AGES) was a bridesmaid. In the ensemble were Ms. Anthony, Trecia Austin (SOMETHING ROTTEN,) Robyn Colossa (SOMETHING ROTTEN, JOSEPH,) Katie Dawson (JOSPEH,) Lauren Hyne in her Warner debut, Matt Martin (usually designing sound for area theatres,) Mr. McGurk, Ms. Nagel, Mr. Parks, Natalie Partola (MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, DISASTER! at CTC) and Jodiann Tenney (GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE, GYPSY.)

The orchestra in the pit is under the direction of Holly J. McCann, the music director, while Kevin Roland was in charge of keyboard programming. Dan Ringuette, Danielle O’Neill and John Dressel covered keyboard 1-3 respectively. Nate Dobas and Joe Pitassi were on percussion 1 and 2.

In the front row of the audience was Don Simon, the president of the Jekyll & Hyde Fan Club wearing a great show jacket, and his wife Sandy. He posted his thoughts on the Facebook Page before heading back to Pennsylvania: “So many great things to say about this production .. review to follow. Closest ensemble voices and orchestra to the Broadway show! If you get a chance, do not miss this one!!” High praise from one so familiar with the show.

This chilling tale of good vs. evil runs at the Warner through Feb. 9. I urge you to make the trip to the Warner to catch this amazing production that will certainly be in one of the top positions on my year-end list of musicals.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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