‘Jekyll & Hyde’ a Halloween viewing treat at Heritage
(From left) Alisha Hall, Jeremy Hall and Emilie Miller star in the Heritage Theater production of "Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical." Alisha Hall plays Lucy Harris, Jeremy Hall plays Henry Jekyll and Miller plays Emma Carew.
In this posed scene, Jeremy Hall (Edward Hyde) meances Alisha Hall (Lucy Harris) in the Heritage Theater production of "Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical," starting tonight at the Perry theater.
PERRY — The Heritage Theater presents its Halloween offering this season with “Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical” opening Friday, Oct. 16, at 2505 S. Highway 89 in Perry.
Leslie Richards is directing at Heritage for the first time, although she has much directing experience at the Terrace Plaza Playhouse. Richards is excited to direct at Heritage.
“They invited me and I thought it would be good to do something at a new venue,” Richards said. The producers asked her what she thought would be good play to do and they all agreed “Jekyll & Hyde” would be a good choice for Halloween time. Heritage did the show some time ago and it was popular, so that sealed the decision.
“It has terrific music. It is very passionate,” Richards said. She likes the idea of exploring whether all people have both a good and evil side, and this show looks at that idea. The show is a classic tale of good and evil based on the book, “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,” by Robert Louis Stevenson. The music is by Frank Wildhorn, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. It includes favorites like “This Is The Moment” and “Take Me As I Am.”
According to a release from Heritage Theater, the show mixes together characters from both ends of the social spectrum. The songs and scenes will provide “ample chills and thrills, and a main character split between the extremes of morality.”
“The music is frightening, inspiring and beautiful, with melodies that will haunt your mind and your heart long after the curtain has fallen,” the release said.
Richards advises that because of the subject matter, children under the age of 8 should not attend and those between 8 and 12 should be prepared for the subject matter of murder and shady characters.
Jeremy Hall plays the lead role in Mr. Hyde and is excellent, Richards said. She worked with him on “The Scarlet Pimpernel,” with music also written by Wildhorn. Because of this, Richards knew Hall would be able to deliver on the vocals. “I knew it would be fun to work with him and he has a fabulous voice,” Richards said.
Emilie Miller plays Emma — the lead woman in the show. It’s the first time Richards has worked with her, but she has been great. “She has a beautiful voice,” Richards said.
A unique side to the show is the other lead, Lucy, played by Alisha Hall, who is Jeremy Hall’s wife in real life. “It’s kind of fun until he kills her,” Richards said with a laugh.
Richards said she loves watching audiences go though the emotional journey of the show and what they take away when the show ends. “It’s really been a great cast, really super. They have worked really hard,” Richards said.
Plus, the setting is ideal for a show like this, she added. “It’s in an old LDS church. It is quaint and lovely.”
The show runs through Nov. 7. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays the show starts at 7:30 p.m.; there will be matinees on Saturday Oct. 24 and Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.
Adults, $10 and seniors and children, $9.
Call for reservations daily except Tuesdays and Sundays 11 a.m. to p.m. at 435-723-8392 or buy tickets at the box office and online at www.HeritageTheatreUtah.com.