The Stunning Duality of Jekyll & Hyde
A Review of The Royal Theatre's Powerhouse Production
It’s Monday, September 22nd, and I'm on my way to work, the rain outside matching the lingering mood from the night before. Just yesterday, on the day of the summer equinox, I had the pleasure of joining my wife and two of our friends, Tyler Mann and Natalie Williams, to see Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical at the Royal Theatre in Benton.
A Tale As Old As Time, Reimagined
It's fascinating to consider the origin of this story. Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical is based on Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This classic piece of Victorian literature explored the duality of human nature, a theme that remains as relevant today as it was in the late 19th century. The musical, with music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, takes this philosophical tale and amplifies it with a powerful, often operatic score. Wildhorn and Bricusse began developing the show in the late 1980s, and it went through numerous iterations before its Broadway debut in 1997. The musical elevates the story, giving emotional depth and musical grandeur to what was a chilling, psychological thriller. The rock opera format perfectly captures the internal conflict and the explosive, violent nature of Hyde's actions, making it more visceral and immediate than the original text.
Setting The Stage
I went in completely blind and came out absolutely stunned by the raw, undeniable talent of the cast. The Royal Theatre, as it has so many times before, used its stage to perfection. The set, with its multiple platforms and levels, was a character in itself. It effortlessly shifted between the foggy streets of London and Dr. Henry Jekyll's lab, where he obsessively worked to split the good and evil of human nature. The space was expertly utilized, with staircases and entrances that created a sense of a vast, complex world.
The production was a true rock opera, a genre-bending blend of horror, tenderness, and sweetness. It was incredibly reminiscent of a Sweeney Todd-esque musical, but with less throat-slashing and more bone-chilling neck-breaking. The overall effect was one of a tense, thrilling journey into the darkest parts of the human psyche. The ensemble was a true force of nature; their layered tones and harmonies were haunting and brilliant, giving the show a powerful, Hunchback-esque choral quality that resonated throughout the theater.
The Leading Players
The cast of this production was a collection of singular talents, each one bringing their A-game to the stage.
Sean Grigsby as Danvers was fantastic. I honestly didn't recognize him at first, a testament to his transformative performance and majestic, grey beard. He perfectly embodied a caring father who was torn between his duty to his daughter and his hopes for her future with Henry Jekyll. His character’s painful role as a neutral party, forced to turn down Jekyll's revolutionary scientific experiments while hoping to stick to London's status quo, was portrayed with a powerful emotional honesty.
Sa’teh Hampton, as John Utterson, Jekyll’s loyal friend and lawyer, was a grounding presence in the story. They consistently command the stage with a resonant, powerful voice that is a stark contrast to their calming presence offstage. The moment Sa’teh steps into the spotlight, they have a way of filling every corner of the space, their deep tones echoing with a beautiful authority.
The two leading ladies, Izzy Hammonds as Lucy and Gabrielle Neafsey as Emma, were a study in perfect duality. Gabby's character, Emma, is the sweet, operatic bride-to-be of Henry Jekyll, a woman who knows what she wants and constantly supports Jekyll, believing in his work as long as they face it together.
Izzy's character, Lucy, is a lady of the night seeking an escape from the dregs of London, finding a glimmer of hope and friendship in Jekyll. The vocal performances were spectacular, with Gabby’s lilting, soft, and sweeter operatic sound perfectly mirroring Izzy’s explosive, powerful voice.
One of my favorite scenes was their duet, where they sang about what they saw in Jekyll's eyes. It was a visual and vocal masterclass, with Gabby in an elegant, all-white dress and Izzy in a contrasting black and red ensemble—a stunning representation of innocence versus inner desires.
A Star Arrives: Rex Wilkins
The absolute highlight of the show was Rex Wilkins in the titular roles of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde. Having only just arrived on the Central Arkansas community theater scene, this was his first show at the Royal Theatre, and I can only hope it's not his last. Years ago, I remember the song "The Confrontation" from Jekyll & Hyde becoming a social media trend, most notably with David Hasselhoff’s version. Rex’s performance blew me out of the water and stood toe-to-toe with any version I've ever seen. As a physically imposing individual, he had a unique ability to make Henry Jekyll appear meek and timid, with slight outbursts that hinted at the monster within.
The moment he transformed into Edward Hyde was one of the most spectacular scenes I have ever witnessed on stage. The way he contorted his body made me feel the racking pain of a man who had made the biggest mistake of his life. His portrayal of Hyde was animalistic, monstrous, and terrifying. Watching him prowl the streets of London, killing those who had turned him down, was chillingly captivating. One of his fellow actors, after the show, laughed as they said it was an "honor to be killed by Rex," which I found incredibly endearing and a testament to the cast's joy and camaraderie despite the dark subject matter.
A Testament to Community Theater
Director Summer Brinley truly hit the nail on the head when she spoke about the cast’s marvelous dedication both on and off the stage. This was a gritty, dark musical brought to life by a group of committed individuals who clearly loved their craft and each other. The sense of fellowship among the cast and crew was palpable and heartwarming.
Overall, I would rank this performance fairly high on my list of shows I’ve seen this year. While there were a few slower moments, which is common in many classical musicals, they served to highlight the more dangerous and murderous scenes. The voices were all incredibly well done, and the production was overall spectacular. I had a wonderful time, and the cast is very deserving of all the applause and notoriety they have received.
I look forward to seeing many of these talented performers on stage again soon and hope to see some of them audition for [title of show] on October 4th and 5th at the Weekend Theater, as I know their voices would be a welcome addition.
A huge congratulations to everyone who was a part of this musical. Thank you for reading, and be sure to keep up with your local Central Arkansas theater news, updates, and reviews!