Jekyll & Hyde: An Electrifying, Gothic Musical Comes to Life

What happens when the good gentleman doctor unleashes his very dark side? In Kokandy Productions' thrilling revival of Jekyll & Hyde, the answer is dramatically charged gothic intrigue to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Now playing at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place as part of Broadway in Chicago, this production takes Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of good versus evil and gives it a fresh, musical-theater makeover. With memorable music by Frank Wildhorn and book/lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, Jekyll & Hyde combines rock, pop, ballads and soaring musical numbers into a story about the dangerous consequences of tampering with human nature.

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At the center is David Moreland as Dr. Henry Jekyll and his sinister alter ego, Mr. Edward Hyde. It's a demanding dual role, requiring Moreland to make audiences believe they are watching two very different men inhabiting the same body. And he does it with remarkably deft physicality.

What's fascinating is the transformation doesn't depend on elaborate makeup or costume changes. Instead, Moreland skillfully changes his posture, facial expressions, voice and movement and suddenly the compassionate Jekyll disappears and Hyde emerges. One moment he is the earnest physician, the next, he becomes a dangerous force who relishes the darkness he has unleashed.

Moreland also gets plenty of opportunity to showcase his powerful vocals, particularly in the show's signature numbers like "This is the Moment" and "I Need to Know."

As Emma Carew, Emily McCormick brings warmth and emotional depth as Jekyll's fiancée. Emma isn't simply waiting around for her fiancé to come back, she becomes an important emotional counterpoint to the increasingly obsessed doctor. McCormick's lovely vocals give Emma's songs a heartfelt quality that grounds the darker elements of the story.

Ava Lane Stovall nearly stops the show as Lucy Harris, the vulnerable but resilient woman whose relationship with Hyde becomes increasingly dangerous. Stovall has the kind of voice that demands attention—powerful, passionate, and capable of moving effortlessly from vulnerability to strength. The duet sung between Lucy and Emma "In His Eyes" was a showstopper. The duo had to wait for the thunderous applause to die down before they could continue.

Director Derek Van Barham doesn't shy away from the musical's melodramatic roots. This is a gothic tale, after all, complete with murder, obsession and a man literally battling himself. The production embraces that heightened theatricality so much so that even the "lighting design by G.Max Maxin IV" deserves a star!

The staging is especially impressive because this production originated with Kokandy Productions, an award-winning Chicago company better known for its work in the storefront theater world.

Now transferred to the Broadway Playhouse, the production retains the intimacy and intensity that helped make it a Chicago theater sensation. Sula's musical direction is a major asset. With a 15-piece partially-seen orchestra on stage, the score has the sweeping sound that this material demands.

Choreographer Brenda Didier adds another dimension with movement that is energetic, stylized and at times almost acrobatic. The physicality of the production reinforces the central idea that Jekyll's experiment isn't simply changing his personality, it's destroying his world.

Kudos to Rachel Sypniewski for her exquisite period costume designs that evoke the style of Britain's upper class as well as its lowly commoners. What a showcase of beauty and art.

What makes Jekyll & Hyde especially fascinating is that the story remains surprisingly relevant. Jekyll believes he can scientifically isolate evil from good, essentially creating a version of himself without moral restraint. But once Hyde is unleashed, he can no longer control himself.

For Chicago theatergoers who missed Kokandy's sold-out run, this Broadway in Chicago engagement offers another opportunity to see what all the buzz was about. And for those who love musicals with a darker edge, soaring vocals and a healthy dose of Victorian-era drama, this Jekyll & Hyde delivers plenty of thrills.

Just remember: Sometimes the monster isn't lurking under the bed.

Sometimes, he's inside us.

Jekyll & Hyde runs at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place through Nov. 8, 2026. The production runs approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes, including intermission, and is recommended for ages 13 and up. For tickets, go to broadwayinchicago.com