WITH A FRIGHT OF JEKYLL, THERE'S NO PLACE TO HYDE

By MARY KUNZ
News Staff Reviewer
4/12/00
Buffalo News
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"Jekyll & Hyde," when it opened Tuesday in Shea's Performing Arts Center, sneaked up on us, like a vapor. Chuck Wagner, as Dr. Jekyll, was on stage, addressing his shrouded patients, before much of the audience was even seated.

The beginning suited a musical so full of musty Victoriana. Tableaus included fog-shrouded streets, brick facades and brocade gowns. Flames sputtered in Dr. Jekyll's laboratory, reflected in a giant gilt mirror. Beautiful backdrops, imitating 19th century etchings, depicted ships and stars. Lanterns glimmered in the wings.

Even a garden party scene, in which couples danced stately dances among very real-looking stone pillars, had a too-sweet, slightly decayed feeling.

The creepiness culminated in Mr. Hyde, who is a freak's freak.

Think World Wrestling Federation: long wild hair, clenched teeth, a long fur coat. He had the traditional horror laugh ("Mwa ha ha ha ha . . . ") and a big hairy chest. He breathed sharply. And when he killed people, they splattered audibly to death. (I could have done without a few of those deaths, which elicited slasher-film snickers from the audience.)

"Jekyll" proceeds in fits and starts. There are a lot of ensemble numbers in which onlookers, like a Greek chorus, decry in minor-key melodies the murder and mayhem around them. In the ensembles are gentlemen, matrons and, of course, scantily clad Victorian hookers.

Then there are soliloquy numbers, such as the celebrated "This Is the Moment," Dr. Jekyll's declaration of his lofty scientific intents.

The brisk-tempo rock calls for strong belters' voices. This production does justice to the score. Sound problems on opening night were ironed out by the middle of the first act. Cast members were strong and exciting.

Wagner, in particular, was a study in contrasts. He threw himself into the role of Hyde with raspy gusto, his grunts carrying easily to the back row. Admirably, he brought equal passion to the role of upright Dr. Jekyll, whose voice had a resonant sincerity.
His fiancee, Emma (Kelli O'Hara), had a sweet, pure soprano.

In this musical full of doppelgangers, Emma's foil is a hooker named Lucy, who also falls in love with one or both of the shady title characters. For this performance, Becca Ayers rose from the ensemble ranks to take the role. Her voice lent a torch feeling to the love song "Someone Like You."

The secret to enjoying "Jekyll" is not to take it too seriously, despite its philosophizing about good and evil. The show's camp humor must be one reason for its legions of fans, who see it over and over. Take dialogue like this:
"Ooh, Mr. Hyde! For a moment, I thought you were somebody else." "For a moment, I thought I was, too."

It's fun, even if it would have made a proper Victorian call for her smelling salts.