Jekyll and Hyde the Musical - CMPAC | 10.5.24

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

CM Performing Arts Center is currently producing the musical Jekyll & Hyde, which is based on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. It was adapted for the stage by Frank Wildhorn and Steve Cuden with music by Wildhorn, a book from Leslie Bricusse, and lyrics being a joint effort between the three.

Jekyll & Hyde is the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll, who is having a difficult time reconciling his situation with his ill father. He believes that the illness his father is experiencing is somehow connected to an evil that lives inside him and he wants to conduct studies to understand why man can be both good and evil and to know how to separate the two. He presents this idea to the Board of Governors at St. Jude’s Hospital where he hopes to be able to conduct these studies but they reject it, labeling it blasphemy. He then decides to conduct said studies on himself, which creates new challenges. As the story progresses we see Jekyll become more and more sinister, assuming a separate identity as Edward Hyde. Henry is kind and well mannered, where Edward is dark and aggressive.

Probably *not* the man we bring home to mommy.

These two personalities attract two different women - Emma Carew, who is engaged to Henry and supports his work and Lucy Harris, who finds herself drawn to Edward. We get to watch how these relationships play out and the ride is bumpy yet enjoyable, to say the least.

The role of Jekyll/Hyde is played by Bobby Peterson, who was a CM staple pre-COVID and this marks a triumphant return to the theater. I can think of very few (if any) male roles that are as challenging as this and he maneuvers through the entire production seemingly with ease. Peterson captures the spirit of both Jekyll and Hyde and relies on much more than a change in appearance to separate the two; Jekyll and Hyde both move and sound differently and Peterson even adjusts the cadence in which each character communicates and it is fascinating to watch. The level of intention that goes into each choice he makes for these characters is impressive; we didn’t just learn some lines here and hop on stage! Everything is wonderfully thought out and it is refreshing to see this level of effort in a Long Island theater production.

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

Vocally, Peterson soars as well. Wildhorn does not make it easy on vocalists, but you won’t notice a struggle here.

And that goes for the cast as a whole - this cast is something else!

Those unfamiliar with the show will likely recognize “This is the Moment,” in which Peterson more than delivers - but Act II’s “The Confrontation” is *the* moment. In this number we see him on stage by himself, singing as both characters and we get to see all of his skills on display at once and it’s impressive. Watching as he physically moves from character to character while also changing his voice is quite the experience and is by far the best moment in the show. 

The leading ladies in this production step up to the plate and deliver at every turn. Hyde’s love interest Lucy is played by Courtney O’Shea, who never disappoints. All of her scenes with Peterson come with a feeling of danger that is felt throughout the theater.

We are first introduced to Lucy during Act I’s “Bring On The Men” which featured the dancers at the Red Rat - the club where Lucy dances. (Special shoutout to the Red Rat girls - Steffy Jolin, Mia Lange, Kendra Perry, Gabriella Smith, and Gaia Maria Tini who positively kill it as well!) O’Shea does what she does best and knocks your socks off with her strong vocals throughout the number all while dancing and moving with precision. One of her strongest moments came in Act II with “A New Life” where we got to see the more tender side of Lucy. 

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

Jekyll’s fiance is played by Laura Laureano, who you may recognize from last winter’s production of Evita as Eva Peron.

Fun fact: Laureano will be back on the CM stage as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, opening on November 2nd!

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

Anyhoo - let’s really talk about Laureano, shall we?! It is no secret that you can quite literally throw this woman a phone book and ask her to sing you through it and you’ll want to throw money at her - yes, she *is* that good - but she also brought class and an endearing quality to Emma. Jekyll & Hyde is not a show that is unfamiliar to me and many times (I won’t say every) I feel that this role is underplayed; as if people think this is the lesser role to the “more fun” Lucy.

False.

After seeing Laureano’s portrayal of Emma, even I left the theater wanting to play her someday! She managed to capture the essence of Emma so sweetly - from being a supportive partner, to one who felt confident in the love she shared with Jekyll and was not swayed by some of his more erratic behavior. I’m delighted to say that my appreciation for Laureano in this role was not limited to the depth she gave this character, but in her vocal prowess as well. It is an absolute treat to hear her sing and even on songs where she wasn’t the only person featured (“The Engagement Party”) her vocals shine through. One of my favorite moments came during Act I’s “Take Me As I Am” where we got to see her interact nicely with Peterson - the perfect combination of everything.

For O’Shea and Laureano both, “In His Eyes” is a clear standout. We get to hear why both Lucy and Emma love Jekyll & Hyde and vocally - these two voices damn near blow the roof off.

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

The Board of Governors is not to be overlooked either - this board was comprised of a number of different people who were featured in “Jekyll’s Plea” and “Murder, Murder.” Very special shoutout to Candis Alek who plays Lady Beaconsfield - I can’t imagine it is easy being the only female in this group and her vocals pierced through everyone else's while blending effectively.

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

I know this sounds like an oxymoron, but it isn’t. I’ve watched this play out countless times - where one voice is completely overtaken by the rest of the voices in the song - but Alek’s voice is strong and present throughout these numbers and adds *so* much! Kudos to her!

The rest of the ensemble nails it too! “Murder Murder” featured some solo lines from Sarah Klaum (who appropriately enough will be gracing the stage next month in Beauty and the Beast as Ms. Potts) and she was exquisite. So much so, that while she isn’t new to me - I kept turning to the person next to me and asking “who is that?” and “okay, now who was that?!” and the answer was always Klaum. I was excited to see her as Ms. Potts to begin with, but now I can’t wait!

The performers on stage were not the only ones with big accomplishments in this production. Director Patrick Campbell is on another level - so much so that his quality of work makes me question how much longer I want to be “retired”! The creative theme of this production should be ‘intention’ because that’s exactly how this man directs - from the character choices that I’m certain he helped cultivate, down to the thought behind each scene transition - his star is rising in the Long Island theater community and you’ve got to catch this one. I’ve spoken before about how much I love a solid scene transition as this is one of those things that others might see as minor - but I always disagree. I think Campbell thinks of everything and I appreciate it all!

I am also told that this was Lighting Designer Keith Jones’ first time designing a show. I find that shocking because before I heard that, I was commenting on how good things looked. This, coupled with some of the special effects that were used really made this production a sight to behold. Massive credit is also due to Music Director Carl Hottinger, who leads a full orchestra and clearly paid a great deal of attention to vocals and harmonies - something that has been consistent in CM productions no matter who is leading the charge.

It goes without saying that this is another must-see production for CM Performing Arts Center. I implore everyone to see this show, but tickets are selling (and have already sold!) very quickly so time might be running out. Jekyll & Hyde is running until October 19th and can be purchased by visiting or calling the box office, or via their website at www.cmpac.com.

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

Cast:

Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde - Bobby Peterson

Lucy Harris - Courtney O’Shea

Emma Carew - Laura Laureano

Sir Danvers Carew - Ray Gobes Jr.

Gabriel John Utterson - Jon Rivera

The Bishop of Basingstoke - Patrick Silk

Lady Beaconsfield - Candis Alek

Simon Stride - Thomas J. Gallagher

Lord Savage - Joseph Bebry

Sir Archibald Proops - Andrew J. Koehler

General Lord Glossop/Spider - John A. DiGiorgio

Nellie - Leah Cyran

Jekyll’s Father/Poole - Jack McShane

Bisset/Minister - Barry Johnson

People of London - Robin Reynolds Brennan, Andrew J. Culbreath, Steffy Jolin+, Kristi Kahen, Sarah Klaum, Mia Lange+, AJ Lawrence, John Mazzarella, Kendra Perry+, Charlie Roman, Gabriella Smith+, Gaia Maria Tini+

+ - Red Rat Dancer

Creative Team:

DIRECTOR - Patrick Campbell

Music Director - Carl Hottinger

Choreographer - Anna Moceri

Stage Manager - Keith Jones

Assistant Stage Manager - Juliana Jagielo

Scenic Designer - John Mazzarella

Sound Designer - Evan Lettieri

Associate Sound Designer - Rory Shea

Lighting Designer - Keith jones

Costume/Wig Designer - Ronald R. Green III

Orchestra:

Conductor/Keyboard - Carl Hottinger

Keyboards - Carl hottinger, Matthew W. Surico

Percussion - Michael Ayala

Bass - Adam Hammer

Violins - Jared Cox, John Dumlao, Carrie LaBarca

Reeds - Markella Gross, Jennifer Haley, Brendan Meier, Jorge Sisalima

French Horn - Kevin Merkel

Trombone - Kim Gabriele