Now in its 6th year, Delaware All-State Theatre (DAST) brings
together the “best of the best” student performers from Delaware elementary,
middle and high schools to put on a professional level production. From stellar
casts to exceptional sets and costumes, DAST’s shows are of the highest
caliber. After the group’s 2012 production of the boisterous musical comedy Hairspray, this summer DAST has taken a
darker turn with its production of Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse’s musical
thriller Jekyll & Hyde based on
Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel The
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Every year I attend the DAST show, and every year
I am amazed by the talents of the young adults. At times I forget I’m watching
youth and teenagers, not professional performers. This year’s exceptional cast
transports the audience to Victorian England where the newly engaged Dr. Henry
Jekyll (Chad Michael Jervis) wants to create a remedy to remove the evil that
he believes inhabits his catatonic father. After presenting his idea to the
Board of Governors of St. Jude’s Hospital and requesting a human subject for
testing, the Board quickly dismisses what they consider is a blasphemous
proposal. Not having the backing of the Hospital, Dr. Jekyll decides to
continue with his project and using himself as his subject.
Dr. Jekyll becomes obsessed with his work, which
takes precedence over spending time with his fiancée Emma (Kristina Biddle) and
his best friend/lawyer Gabriel John Utterson (Ben Walker). He becomes addicted
to his elixir and the evil it brings out of him (Mr. Hyde). His addiction takes
over causing him to shun Emma and Gabriel and cause terror and mayhem in the
city. Mr. Hyde also begins a lurid affair with a prostitute Lucy Harris (Kayla
Saunders), whom Dr. Jekyll befriended at a slum bar (The Red Rat) that he and
Gabriel visited for Dr. Jekyll’s bachelor party.
The stunning production directed by Jeffrey
Santoro is dark and harsh, yet lively and engaging. The exceptional sets by
DAST’s Technical director, Ryan Stofa and costumes by Lorraine Anderson create
the spirit of the 1800s. From the streets of England to Dr. Jekyll’s laboratory
to a sordid bar, the sets evoke a time passed by, while the costumes exemplify
the divide between sophisticated members of society to prostitutes and
peasants.
However, it’s the cast that drives this musical, led
by the captivating Mr. Jervis as both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Mr. Jervis
magnificently captures both sides of his character, finding and peeling away
the layers of the enigmatic Dr. Jekyll and his alter ego, Mr. Hyde. He easily
transforms from a loving and compassionate doctor to a vengeful and sadistic
man. He best exemplified his capabilities during the Confrontation number when Mr. Hyde finally confronts Dr. Jekyll
before taking over.
Mr. Jervis shares the stage with equally talented
leading ladies. Ms. Biddle as Dr. Jekyll’s high society fiancée, Emma, and Ms.
Saunders as Mr. Hyde’s street tough mistress, Lucy, are brilliant! Both ladies
have stunning voices that make it very hard to believe they are high school
students. Their vulnerability that comes through their sumptuous duet In His Eyes is more than what is expected
from high school students. Don’t worry, not every song is dark or sad, Ms.
Saunders’s exuberant number Bring on the
Men adds some light-hearted FUN to the production.
The three leads are supported by a strong cast of
students who electrify with their acting, singing and dancing talents. With
precise musical direction by David Snyder and choreography by Tamara Paulino,
this production is a sure fire hit!
Jekyll & Hyde runs through June 30 at the
Laird Performing Art Center (Tatnall School). For additional information and/or
to purchase tickets visit www.DASTonline.org.