{"id":1848,"date":"2011-01-21T16:39:11","date_gmt":"2011-01-21T21:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=1848"},"modified":"2022-09-29T12:57:13","modified_gmt":"2022-09-29T16:57:13","slug":"wright-states-jekyll-and-hyde-to-thrill-soldout-crowds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2011\/01\/21\/wright-states-jekyll-and-hyde-to-thrill-soldout-crowds\/","title":{"rendered":"Wright State\u2019s Jekyll and Hyde to thrill sold-out crowds"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>

The musical sold out all of its regularly scheduled performances.<\/p><\/div>\n

Wright State University\u2019s latest musical, Jekyll and Hyde<\/em>, doesn\u2019t open until tonight, Jan. 21, but already it\u2019s a commercial success. The show sold out for every performance, so an additional performance was added for Tuesday, Jan. 25, to meet demand.<\/p>\n

W. Stuart McDowell, the show\u2019s director, isn\u2019t surprised by its popularity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a thrilling piece of theatre,\u201d said McDowell, who is also the chair and artistic director of the Wright State University Department of Theatre Arts, Dance and Motion Pictures. \u201cIt\u2019s a tour-de-force for the students.\u201d<\/p>\n

The musical features music by Frank Wildhorn with a script and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. It\u2019s based on Robert Louis Stevenson\u2019s classic novel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Though Jekyll and Hyde<\/em> has been produced locally only a handful of times, the show has a large international following. Fans called \u201cJekkies\u201d helped the show move from its first staging in 1990 at Houston\u2019s 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 \u201cThis Is the Moment\u201d has been used at the Olympics.<\/p>\n

\"Edward<\/a>

Edward Hyde (Blaine Boyd) threatens his future victims in Wright State’s “Jekyll and Hyde.”<\/p><\/div>\n

The original novel tells the story of Henry Jekyll, a doctor determined to separate mankind\u2019s two natures\u2014good and evil. By using himself as a test subject, he unwittingly unleashes his dark, inner self: the murderous Edward Hyde.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think audiences know what\u2019s coming,\u201d said Blaine Boyd, the senior musical theatre major who has the dual role of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. \u201cWe rarely do a musical this dark.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 fianc\u00e9e, Emma, and a prostitute named Lucy. These powerhouse roles are acted by senior musical theatre majors Alex Sunderhaus and Darian Taschner.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve wanted to do this show for a long time, but needed the right people,\u201d said McDowell.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the most challenging role I\u2019ve ever played,\u201d said Taschner, who plays Lucy. \u201cIt\u2019s vocally and physically demanding, as well as emotionally draining.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dr.<\/a>

Dr. Jekyll (Blaine Boyd) and his fianc\u00e9e, Emma (Alex Sunderhaus), share a romantic moment.<\/p><\/div>\n

Sunderhaus agrees that the show has pushed her, but appreciates the experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my opportunity to put into practice all that I\u2019ve learned over my time here,\u201d said Sunderhaus, who plays Emma. \u201cThis is where it all comes together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Senior theater design and technology major Kelly Green designed the production\u2019s set with a \u201csteampunk\u201d look. She mixed Victorian, gothic and industrial elements to give the show its ominous-yet-romantic feel.<\/p>\n

This show has special significance for Wright State\u2019s Jekyll. As he prepares to graduate this spring, Boyd said that song \u201cThis Is the Moment\u201d\u2019 fits this point in his life.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter this show, I can graduate and honestly say that I\u2019m not afraid of anything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Jekyll and Hyde<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

For more information about the show, call the theatre department at (937) 775-3072.<\/p>\n\n\t\t