Post Gazette: "Through the magic of theater, Jeffrey Hatcher is appearing in two places at once.
The playwright's 'Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde' has been in previews at City Theatre on the South Side, while 'Ella!' has been occupying the Pittsburgh Public's Downtown theater since Oct. 1."
2 comments:
After seeing this show, it's interesting to get the playwright's perspective. The show itself seemed almost mechanical - which makes sense after the playwright described how methodically the script was created. The stiff quality of the show I feel was set on by the script's specificity.
First of all, I cannot wait to see this show. I've said it before, but I'm a huge Jekyll/Hyde fan (the book, not the musical), so I'm really excited to see this adaptation. It's similar to Tell Tale Heart, and Monkey's Paw...it's one of those canon tales that would make a really stellar theatrical performance. However, I'm not sure I agree with the director's decision to cast two different men to play Jekyll and Hyde. It makes sense, and I respect his creative ambition, but I think that contradicts the purpose of the show. Hyde is Jekyll...he comes from a part of him that is hidden deep inside...and represents that darkness in us all (as cheasy as that sounds). That's how I interpreted it at least. I've seen some of the production photos though, and because the story has been somewhat tweaked to fit theatrical purposes, it might work. I still think being able to play both Jekyll and Hyde is an actor's chance of a lifetime. If I was cast as one and not the other, I would be majorly pissed. Part of the awe in seeing the show is seeing that transformation...and the fact that they took that away seems almost foolish to me...However, to play devil's advocate, working with an actor on so intimate a level as that would make things interesting, and I really should see it before I judge too harshly.
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