I am very pleased to announce, rather unexpectedly, that I have accepted the lead role in Greater Lewisville Community Theatre’s upcoming production of Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical, running October 15 – 31, 2010.
This recent change in my plans came clear out of the blue. As most of you may know, I had my eye on the role of Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird ever since Artisan Center Theater announced it last year as part of their 2010 season. However, my involvement next month in The Sound of Music at Casa Mañana proved to create a huge conflict in the former’s rehearsal schedule.
Then director Sharon Veselic contacted me about a couple of open roles for Jekyll & Hyde. During our correspondence, I dropped the hint that I wouldn’t mind auditioning for the lead should her Jekyll/Hyde fall through. Apparently that happened because I suddenly found myself singing “This Is the Moment” for the director and production team last evening, winning the role. Now I am thrilled to sink my teeth into this coveted part.
Jekyll & Hyde is a musical based on the novel, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. 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 19-century London as the savage, maniacal Edward Hyde. The original stage conception was by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn. The music is by Wildhorn and the lyrics and book are by Leslie Bricusse. The show ran on Broadway for 1,543 performances in 1997 through 2001.
My thanks to Sharon Veselic, Donna Cates, Dennis Canright and the folks at Artisan Center Theater for this opportunity and encouragement. This will be a lot of fun. Hope everyone can come out to see it!
Brad Stephens 