David Moreland (center) and the cast of “Jekyll & Hyde”/Photo: Amy Boyle Photography
RECOMMENDED
When I insist that Chicago is the greatest theater city in the world, I’m adding this production of “Jekyll & Hyde” to my list of reasons why.
Kokandy Productions’ ghoulish, campy romp from 2025 has been remounted at the Broadway Playhouse with Broadway in Chicago, and I dare you to try and have a bad time. It won’t happen. This pop-rock musical, circa 1990, based on “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson, is a crowd-pleasing show of its time. Written by Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse, the musical runs through Dr. Jekyll’s personality experiments at breakneck speed with a rollicking soundtrack and impeccable choreography by Brenda Didier.
The fascinating duality of this story, in which Dr. Jekyll tries to eradicate man’s madness/darkness from the good, is exquisitely depicted in simple but effective slight costume and makeup changes designed by Rachel Sypniewski and Syd Genco, respectively. Many characters play both a member of “proper” Victorian society as well as a member of its seedier underbelly. A divinely wicked Quinn Kelch, for instance, oscillates between Simon Stride and Spider with a simple eyepatch (and Kelch’s impeccable face card).
David Moreland (center) and the cast of “Jekyll & Hyde”/Photo: Amy Boyle Photography
Personally, I’m far from a Jekkie—someone who is a devoted fan of the musical. This musical is not one I particularly like or would listen to for fun. But under the careful direction of Derek Van Barham, it is clear right away why this production was remounted so quickly. Set in a Victorian operating theater (designed by Sotirios Livaditis), Barham directs this show with surgical precision. Every movement, sneer and dastardly plot is hit in a way that metamorphoses this tale into all its iterations, from tragic warning to love story.
At the center of that story is David Moreland. Moreland’s dexterity in flipping between Dr. Jekyll and Edward Hyde is astounding, especially at the speed of a musical’s metronome. At times, flailing around the stage, throwing himself against the multipurpose operating table, Moreland never seems to lose his sense of self—ironic, to be sure. Despite the changing personas, each change is crisp, with none overlapping the other. Jekyll and Hyde are in good hands with Moreland.
So too is the case for the good doctor’s companions, Gabriel John Utterson (Kevin Webb) and Sir Danvers Carew (Nathan Calaranan). Webb’s incredible vocality frequently breaks through the crowd in ensemble scenes, and watching his character evolve through scenes such as “Bring on the Men” is beyond delightful. At the same time, Calaranan’s quiet power is well met in scenes with his daughter Emma (Emily McCormick), whose songs lend a touch of humanity to the show.
Ava Lane Stovall’s showstopping numbers as Lucy Harris are also not to be missed. Stovall’s power ballads are at times both a cry of independence and a cry for help as Lucy tries desperately to get out of the sex trade. Though the musical would have benefitted from making the women’s roles a bit more varied and giving Emma and Lucy a bit more stage time, that’s a gripe for another day.
Kokandy Production’s “Jekyll & Hyde” at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 East Chestnut, through November 8.
