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The experiment, gone awry, gives birth to Jekyll's evil side, Edward Hyde and the love story takes a turn to the dark side. The story, originally adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," and conceived for the stage by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn, will take shape as a chilling musical, "Jekyll & Hyde" as the Main Street Theatre is transformed to a time long ago when top hats, frock coats and bustles were the fashion. Opening in time for Halloween, the show, which is sponsored by Conway Chrysler, Dodge, it is a major undertaking as the Theatre of the Republic stretches its artistic strengths, says Tim McGhee, theater executive director. This dark operetta, which tells the story mostly in song, has a cast of 25 strong, talented singers. The challenging music, directed by Dianna Scroggins and Ellen Leftwich, period costuming by Sandy Flora, and dramatic lighting effects designed by Brian Carter will combine to make this one of the most unforgettable shows brought to this community theater's stage. The chorus will wow the audience with songs like "Facade" and "Murder Murder" as they lead the audience through the plot. One song will feature at least 29 lighting changes to produce a thrilling and exciting effect.
"The audience is in store for one of the most memorable evenings of their life," said Gengo, who admits the show had a huge impact on her life after she saw it on Broadway. A counselor for students with disabilities at Coastal Carolina University, Gengo said she has used what she learned in the show about confronting personal demons with some students struggling with alcohol and other addictions. Gengo and McMillan, a children and adolescent counselor at Waccamaw Mental Health, are CCU graduates and have been good friends since high school. "It's a powerful show," Gengo said. "Spectacular lighting effects are very important in this show because they help show you the light and the dark side of man. Stage manager is Betty Boyle, and set design is by Tim McGhee and Phillip "Smokey" Jakey. Jekyll will be played by McGhee of Myrtle Beach, who has a long history in community theater. Noreen O'Reilly of Myrtle Beach and a teacher at St. Andrew Catholic School will play Jekyll's fiance, Emma Carew, a debutante who adores him. Elizabeth Garrell of Surfside Beach, who spent time as an off-Broadway dancer, has returned to TOR and will play the role of Lucy, the main attraction at The Red Rat, a dingy public house.
Gabriel John Utterson, Jekyll's lawyer who is constantly by his side, is played by Robert Kerson of Myrtle Beach. Kerson is an educator in the Horry County public school system. Emma's father, Sir Danvers Carew, who is leery of Jekyll's experiments being performed on humans and who's greatest concern is for his daughter's safety and happiness, is played by Kelvin Smith, originally from Spartanburg but who has lived in Myrtle Beach for the last 15 years. Jekyll's rival for Emma's love is Simon Stride, played by Andrew Stinson, who is new to the Theater of the Republic. Stinson, of Ramseur, N.C., performs in a local show, High Stepping Country. Show dates and times are 8 p.m. Oct. 27-30 and Nov. 3-6; 3 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 7. All tickets are $15. For reservations, call the theater box office Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 488-0821 or 488-0824 |
The dank streets of 19th century London were running red with blood as a madman (comparable to a modern day serial killer) was on the loose performing horrific deeds that made the blood of God fearing folk run cold. No one suspected research scientist Dr. Henry Jekyll, who, distraught over his father's mental illness, develops a formula and is driven to experiment on himself to prove that good and evil could be isolated in a human being.
Horry County natives Cookie McMillan and Vonna Gengo are co-directing the musical.
With such vocally demanding music, understudies are being used for some of the major characters. Understudies will be guaranteed at least two performances. Understudy for the role of Emma is TOR veteran Yvonne Moro of Surfside Beach. Serving as Lucy's understudy is Caitlyn Pollock, a theatre and music major at CCU. |
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