“Jekyll & Hyde" at the Timber Lake Playhouse -- August 15 through 25.
Thursday, August 15, through Sunday, August 25
Timber Lake Playhouse, 8215 Black Oak Road, Mt. Carroll IL
A Broadway musical sensation that played for more than four years and 1,500 performances, the stage version a Robert Louis Stevenson's literary classic – one boasting a score by Frank Wildhorn and a book by the legendary Leslie Bricusse – comes to life in Jekyll & Hyde, the romantic thriller that will enjoy a Timber Lake Playhouse engagement in Mt. Carroll from August 15 through 25.
As it weaves its tale of epic struggle, Jekyll & Hyde details the evocative saga of two men: one a doctor, passionate and romantic; the other a terrifying madman. It's also the story of two women: one, beautiful and trusting; the other beautiful but trusting only herself. Both of them, however, are in love with the same man – and are both unaware of his dark secret. A devoted man of science, Dr. Henry Jekyll is driven to find a chemical breakthrough that can solve some of mankind’s most challenging medical dilemmas. Rebuffed by the powers that be, Dr. Jekyll decides to make himself the subject of his own experimental treatments, accidentally unleashing his inner demons along with the man that the world would come to know as Mr. Hyde. In doing so, both a legendary novel and a beloved stage musical were born, with the lauded Broadway spectacle Jekyll & Hyde receiving four Tony nominations as well as Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards.
The musical premiered on Broadway at the Plymouth Theatre (now known as the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre) on March 21, 1997 for previews, and officially on April 28. Co-produced by Jerry Frankel and Jeffrey Richards, and directed by Robin Phillips, the original cast featured Robert Cuccioli as Jekyll and Hyde, Linda Eder as Lucy Harris, and Christiane Noll as Emma Carew, with Rob Evan originally cast as Cuccioli's alternate, performing the title roles at two performances per week. Baywatch actor David Hasselhoff took over the lead on October 17, 2000, and while the show played its almost-four-year run, Jekyll & Hyde became the longest-running show in the history of the Plymouth Theatre, closing after 1,543 regular performances on January 7, 2001.
TLP Artistic Director Tommy Ranieri directs Jekyll & Hyde, with Trent Soyster choreographing. Ryan Schaefer as Fight Choreographer and Matt Surico as Music Director round out the team with Production Stage Manager Meg Rosenberg and Assistant Stage Managers Julia Gangemi and Camille Marie. The work of Scenic Designer Spencer Donovan, Costume Designer Chakira Doherty, Props Designer Heather Kuhn, Sound Designer Rory Shea, and Lighting Designer Sam Weiser will transport us to Victorian England, along with Resident Company members such as Technical Director Brian Wasserman, Head Electrician Abi Farnsworth, Wardrobe Team Nile Michelle and Rachel McElwain, and A2 Evan Lettieri.
Jekyll & Hyde will be performed at the Mt. Carroll theatre from August 15 through 25, with scheduled performances at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Admission is $25-35 and more information and tickets are available by calling (815)244-2035 and visiting TimberLakePlayhouse.org.
