By Carol Davis
SAN DIEGO–Sometimes bringing back a scary old classic can be a ‘what else is new moment’ especially if it opens late in October and the play is Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Don’t be misled by either, though. Ion Theatre is mounting an intriguing production of Jeffrey Archer’s new adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde with deft direction by Kim Strassburger.
Leading off with a very strong ensemble, the battle over good vs. evil in the case of love, lust and horror plays itself out as the respected Dr. Henry Jekyll (Walter Ritter) wrestles for the upper hand in trying to defeat and or hide the savage beast he has living within when he experiments with exotic and mind altering drugs after he finds he is able to bring out the more sinister side of himself.
All the while this other self or Mr. Hyde (played alternately by Nick Kennedy, David McBean, Patrick Duffy and Susan Hammonds) is able to move about under the cover of darkness mysteriously showing up whenever a crime, rape or murder is committed.
The more mysterious and criminal the happenings discovered around both men, the more the finger is pointed at the respected Jekyll as he roams the streets at night committing heinous acts of sex and murder that in another life would repel him.
After Strassburger has her players show themselves to the audience, the play swiftly moves from the foggy London streets to Hyde’s living quarters (identified only by a deep shaded red door) to the Jekyll medical offices to the laboratories and back to the streets of London.
In a series of vignettes we follow the comings and goings of Jekyll and Sir Danville Carew, (David McBean plays about four different characters) vying for the same woman, Elizabeth (Rachael Van Wormer). We watch the strange transformations of the good doctor as he spirals downward into an abyss he cannot ascend.
Ritter stands out and shines as he embodies the cunning Dr. Jekyll mocking Carew at a lecture and showing off a superior self. McBean’s Carew on the other hand, secretly undoes Jekyll while pretending to be his friend.
Playing dual roles (four play the different sides of Jekyll), VanWormer takes on the persons of chambermaid and a London hooker who falls for the younger, sexier and more sensuous Hyde.
On the plus side, Hatcher and Strassburger leave out any blood and gore. Just hearing about the violent acts committed and finding the results is enough to take the imagination into any dark side the listener wants to venture.
As mentioned above the entire cast is on target in multiple roles. Ritter is smooth, self assured and pretty conceited as Jekyll. He stays in character throughout.
Using four different actors to show the different sides of Hyde is a great tool. In contrast to Ritter’s single role as Jekyll, all four playing Hyde are right on target as his schizophrenic evil sides, especially Patrick Duffy who takes the lead.
VanWormer gets a really bad girl part and plays it well and Nick Kennedy, who tells the story is perfect as Jekyll’s attorney, Utterson Scottish brogue and all and as one of the four Hyde’s.
David McBean is always on his game as he takes on the roles of Sanderson and Sir Danvers Carew (as well as four other characters). He doesn’t disappoint. Susan Hammons plays multiple characters and figures prominently as an eye witness to murder, but will never tell.
One might try to imagine how such a big story could be played out on such a small stage in a small space, but its four walls should never limit the nature of a director’s vision.
Focusing our imagination, as did Matt Scott in using just the bare essentials like a few doors, some brick walls, streetlights and some beds and laboratory table wheeled in and out works well as the story takes hold.
Claudio Raygoza and Trista Roland’s formal Victorian looking dress complete with top hats, frock coats, waistcoats and vests, cravats and canes is perfect as is Karin Filijan’s shadowed lighting.
Overall, this is one scary show that won’t give you the heebie jeebies, but it just might scare the bejeezus out of you as it did me toward the end, especially if you are sitting next to an exit aisle.
Definitely worth a look see.
See you at the theatre.
Dates: October 20th –November 20th
Organization: ion theatre company
Phone: 619-600-5020
Production Type: Melodrama
Where: 3704 6th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92103
Ticket Prices: $10.00-$25.00
Web: iontheatre.com
Venue: BLKBOX