Way Off Broadway Presents JEKYLL AND HYDE, 3/23-6/2

The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre will present Jekyll & Hyde, described as "an evocative tale of the epic battle between good and evil, based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story,The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, about a brilliant doctor whose experiments with human personality create a murderous counterpart. Convinced the cure for his father's mental illness lies in the separation of Man's evil nature from his good, Dr. Henry Jekyll unwittingly unleashes his own dark side, wreaking havoc in the streets of late 19th century London as the savage, maniacal Edward Hyde."

The musical version of Jekyll & Hyde had its world premiere in 1990 at Houston's Alley Theatre.  This was the first time the characters of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde were combined with the music of Frank WIldhorn and lyrics of Leslie Bricusse.  The production was such a success that the Alley Theatre extended its run not once, but twice.  In 1995, a national tour of Jekyll & Hyde was mounted, which carried the show on to its New York opening. 

Jekyll & Hyde began previews at Broadway's Plymouth Theatre on March 21, 1997.  The show opened a month later on April 28th and ran for the next four years until it closed in January of 2001 after nearly 1,600 performances.  The original company was led by Robert Cuccioli in the dual role of Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde and Linda Eder, making her Broadway debut, as Lucy. 

Way Off Broadway’s production comes to Frederick just as New York producers have announced plans for a Broadway revival of the show next year, set to star American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis. 

Set to star in the title role in this spring’s production at the theatre is Matt Curtis, making his Way Off Broadway debut. Playing his leading ladies will be Jessica Billones as Lucy and Shannon Wells as Emma.  The trio will be joined on stage by Matthew David Crawford, Sheila Cunningham, Caroline Griswold, Michael Iacone, Brian D. James, Bill Kiska, David Marcus, Justin Mohay, Natalie Stephenson, Jordan B. Stocksdale, Joseph Waeyaert, and Genevieve Williams.     

Jekyll & Hyde was conceived for the stage by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn and has a book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and music by Frank Wildhorn.  Way Off Broadway’s production will run from March 23 – June 2, 2012 and will be directed by Justin M. Kiska, with musical staging by Amanda Patten and music direction by Jordan B. Stocksdale.

Performances are every Friday and Saturday evening, with matinees on the 1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th Sunday of each month.  Tickets for Friday and Sunday performances are $42; Saturdays are $46.  Tickets may be purchased by visiting the theatre’s Box Office or calling (301) 662-6600.   

For additional information about Jekyll & Hyde, or any of Way Off Broadway’s productions, visit www.wayoffbroadway.com or call the theatre at (301) 662-6600.

The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre has been a leader in the region’s performing arts community since it first opened in 1995. Under the direction of the Kiska Family since 2002, Way Off Broadway has produced such productions as A Funny Thing . . . Forum, Guys & Dolls, Steel Magnolias, Oklahoma!, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof, The Odd Couple, A Chorus Line, Lend Me a Tenor,The Sound of Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Evita, Cats, The Full Monty, South Pacific, Hairspray, Chicago, and Damn Yankees, as well as the regional and/or area premieres of Neil Simon’s The Goodbye Girl - The Musical, Jerry Herman’s La Cage aux Folles, the musical comedy The Wedding Singer, Mel Brooks’ The Producers, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and The Drowsy Chaperone.  Located along Route 40 West, the Golden Mile in Frederick, the theatre also produces a one-of-a-kind children’s lunch theatre, as well as a number of special events throughout the year.