Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's gothic tale, the Frank Wildhorn/ Leslie Bricusse musical is the story of the well-meaning Dr. Jekyll who tries to separate the good from the evil in human nature, but winds up unleashing his own dark side in the person of Mr. Hyde.
Robert Cuccioli (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) and Linda Eder (Lucy) reprise the roles they played during the popular 1995-96 tour.
Originally scheduled to begin previews March 18, the production cancelled the first three performances. The delay has been attributed to the set's technical requirements.
Christiane Noll (Emma Carew) will answer your questions Thursday, May 1 on Playbill On-Line. Post now to Associate Editor Katia Lundy
To read a transcript of the live chat session Playbill On-Line hosted with Cuccioli, see Robert Cuccioli, "Jekyll & Hyde" in Celebrity Transcripts. To read the latest accounts of the Broadway previews from other PBOL users, see Playbill Critics Circle: Your Views of Jekyll & Hyde, Part 3 along with parts 1 and 2 in Theatre News.
To read how other Playbill On-Line users define the appeal of the show, see Playbill Poll: Describe "Jekyll & Hyde's" Appeal in Theatre News.
To read interviews with some of the principals, see News From the Road: Jekyll & Hyde in Theatre Features.
In a happy sidenote, Frank Wildhorn and Linda Eder are more than just composer and lea; in fall 1997 they will become husband and wife.
Tickets to Jekyll & Hyde can be purchased now via Tele-charge at (212) 239-6200. You can also order tickets on Playbill On-Line. The ticket range is $75 for orchestra and front mezzanine, $65 and $55 for the remaining mezzanine. Prices are $10 cheaper across the board for Wednesday matinees. Preview prices are the same as post-opening prices, however; there's a special front row ("AA") right up close to the stage, for which tickets at all performances are only $20. These discount seats will sold at the boxoffice on the day of performance in much the same way Rent distributes its 34 highly-coveted discount front row seats.
The musical also has launched an official website at http://www.jekyll-hyde.com.
The production has had a long road to Broadway. The show had to cancel its scheduled opening in spring 1996 because no suitable large-scale theatre was available. Scaled-down and restaged by new director Robin Phillips, the musical will open at the 1079-seat Plymouth, which usually houses plays, but whose musical tenants have included Tony-winner Passion.
Scaled down from its epic, mega-musical scope, the musical is now helmed by British director, Robin Phillips, replacing Houston's Gregory Boyd. With music by Wildhorn and book & lyrics by Bricusse, Jekyll & Hyde adapts Robert Louis Stevenson's moral chiller about a good doctor who unleashes his own violent id.
The show originated in 1980 as a collaboration between Wildhorn and Steve Cuden, who retains program credit.
The show's logo has the word "Jekyll" in neat, cursive writing, then "& HYDE" in blood-splotched block letters. Underneath, in neat, normal print, "The Musical." The show's previous logo displayed at the Sept. 8 "Broadway on Broadway" showcase featured the name "Jekyll" positioned above "Hyde", with the words presented in opposing colors.
