Student Theater Review
Singing Songs Of Jekyll And Hyde
Throughout the school year, Fairfax Extra publishes occasional reviews of high school shows written by student critics under the guidance of faculty mentors as part of the Critics and Awards Program, also known as Cappies. Now in its seventh season, the program recognizes the achievements of young performers, writers, directors and stage crews. For information online, visit www.cappies.com.
Nate Rossini, 16, plays Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the production at Centreville High School.
(Photos By Carol Guzy -- The Washington Post)
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Murder! Murder! An evil murderer is loose, and London is aflame. Centreville High School brought this fire to the stage in its April 28 production of "Jekyll & Hyde -- the Musical."
Based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, the production was conceived for the stage by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn with book, lyrics and music by Leslie Bricusse and Wildhorn. The show first opened in 1997.
"Jekyll & Hyde" plumbs human nature to explore the inherent good and evil within us all. The musical, set in the 1880s, tells the tale of Henry Jekyll, a brilliant doctor who believes he has found a formula to separate the good and evil within man and destroy the evil.
The Board of Governors at his hospital refuses to grant him a human test subject. Jekyll decides to be the test subject himself and drinks his formula.
In an "unexpected development," the formula creates an evil, second personality who calls himself Edward Hyde. What ensues is the ultimate battle between good and evil as Jekyll and Hyde fight for control of the same body. As Jekyll/Hyde, Nate Rossini did a remarkable job portraying the warring personalities. His entire being, from his physical mannerisms to his voice, changed as he transformed from Jekyll to Hyde. From Jekyll's gentle voice and kind nature to Hyde's sinister glare and chilling chuckle, Rossini embodied the doctor caught between two personalities.
With a sweet voice and countenance, Maggie Burrus charmed as the ever-faithful Emma, Jekyll's fiancee. Providing contrast to Burrus, Caroline Rushing played Lucy, a prostitute at the Red Rat Pub, with energy and pathos.
The cast had good chemistry and maintained energy throughout the performance. The colorful array of costumes and the dramatic lighting helped reinforce the central contrasts within the musical. There were some minor issues with sound and, at times, it was difficult to understand some of the performers, but the cast generally overcame these problems.
Centreville High School's production invited audience members to look beyond their own facades and face their true natures.
As the house lights came up, the audience was left with the disturbing question: What evil lurks within us?
Miriam Thomas
H-B Woodlawn
