Wright State’s Jekyll and Hyde to thrill sold-out crowds

The musical sold out all of its regularly scheduled performances.

Wright State University’s latest musical, Jekyll and Hyde, doesn’t open until tonight, Jan. 21, but already it’s a commercial success. The show sold out for every performance, so an additional performance was added for Tuesday, Jan. 25, to meet demand.

W. Stuart McDowell, the show’s director, isn’t surprised by its popularity.

“It’s a thrilling piece of theatre,” said McDowell, who is also the chair and artistic director of the Wright State University Department of Theatre Arts, Dance and Motion Pictures. “It’s a tour-de-force for the students.”

The musical features music by Frank Wildhorn with a script and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. It’s based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Though Jekyll and Hyde has been produced locally only a handful of times, the show has a large international following. Fans called “Jekkies” helped the show move from its first staging in 1990 at Houston’s Alley Theater to Broadway in 1997, where it ran for 1,543 performances before closing in 2001. The show has been seen around the world and its ballad “This Is the Moment” has been used at the Olympics.

Edward Hyde (Blaine Boyd) threatens his future victims in Wright State’s “Jekyll and Hyde.”

The original novel tells the story of Henry Jekyll, a doctor determined to separate mankind’s two natures—good and evil. By using himself as a test subject, he unwittingly unleashes his dark, inner self: the murderous Edward Hyde.

“I don’t think audiences know what’s coming,” said Blaine Boyd, the senior musical theatre major who has the dual role of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. “We rarely do a musical this dark.”

The musical remains true to the novel while adding two lead female characters. Jekyll/Hyde becomes caught in a love triangle between his well-to-do fiancée, Emma, and a prostitute named Lucy. These powerhouse roles are acted by senior musical theatre majors Alex Sunderhaus and Darian Taschner.

“We’ve wanted to do this show for a long time, but needed the right people,” said McDowell.

“This is the most challenging role I’ve ever played,” said Taschner, who plays Lucy. “It’s vocally and physically demanding, as well as emotionally draining.”

Dr. Jekyll (Blaine Boyd) and his fiancée, Emma (Alex Sunderhaus), share a romantic moment.

Sunderhaus agrees that the show has pushed her, but appreciates the experience.

“This is my opportunity to put into practice all that I’ve learned over my time here,” said Sunderhaus, who plays Emma. “This is where it all comes together.”

Senior theater design and technology major Kelly Green designed the production’s set with a “steampunk” look. She mixed Victorian, gothic and industrial elements to give the show its ominous-yet-romantic feel.

This show has special significance for Wright State’s Jekyll. As he prepares to graduate this spring, Boyd said that song “This Is the Moment”’ fits this point in his life.

“After this show, I can graduate and honestly say that I’m not afraid of anything,” he said.

Jekyll and Hyde continues until Jan. 30. Tickets for the added performance on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. are $17-$19. They go on sale Monday and can be purchased by calling the box office at (937) 775-2500.

For more information about the show, call the theatre department at (937) 775-3072.