Chicago BoHo Gives Jekyll-Hyde a Facelift
If you’re in the Chicago area, you could do a lot worse than to get to the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble’s rendition of Jekyll & Hyde. Now, some of you who have heard about this musical version of one of the more terrifying stories ever told might be sceptical, and rightly so. The original musical (with David Hasselhoff) suffered some…well, let’s be generous and just say that it wasn’t all that it could have been.
OK, actually it (reputedly) suffered reviews such as “pervasive lack of characterization” or a score that “doesn’t enhance the story.” It had a “try-out” period that was actually longer than the actual Broadway run, and wet through many, many revisions. In spite of this, it has a huge fan base, even a role-playing group dedicated not to the story but to the musical.
Even the Sun-Times recognizes that “there are still problems with the book, pacing and characterization that only a massive re-write would fix,” but concludes that the BoHo’s staging of the show is just “clever enough” to overcome that for a truly exhilarating theatrical experience.
Friends in Low Places
I got clued into this through a friend who is working the show backstage, a theater veteran of musicals and dance who is absolutely thrilled to be part of this show. “This is a reconceptualization that addresses a lot of the issues and slow points in the original musical. We have a phenomenal cast, with amazing voices, and an absolutely brilliant actor is performing as both Jekyll and Hyde. I promise you, no David Hasselhoff. Instead, I give you….captain tightpants.” (That’s a reference to the uber-hot Nathan Fillion, for those who might not know, better known as a cop on LOST and in his signature role as Captain Malcolm Reynolds on Joss Whedon’s Firefly. Not that he’s playing the role, but that the actor who is (Courtney Crouse) is just that hot.)
Anyway, she also says that if you want to see it, better buy tickets early, because the show has been called “Jeff-worthy” (Chicago’s equivalent of the Tony’s) and will likely sell out as the season goes on. As always, my busy schedule and scarcity of funds will probably prevent me from seeing it…but if you go, please drop a comment here and let me know how it was!
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POSTED IN: Backstage & Behind-the-Scenes, Broadway Hits, Casting, Musicals, Off-Broadway, Theatre
1 opinion for Chicago BoHo Gives Jekyll-Hyde a Facelift
Karl
Jun 9, 2008 at 8:09 am
Hmmm…I’m supposed to go down to Chicago either later this month or early next month to meet some friends of Amanda’s…maybe I can talk them into seeing this…I’ll let you know how it goes if I do.
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