Is there a dark side to your personality? Is there a more passionate part of you hidden beneath the surface? If there were no social norms to follow, would you be the same person you are now? Are you happy?
So many questions, and none will be answered by seeing Mortal Fools Theatre Project’s production of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In fact, I have been unable to stop thinking about these questions since I saw the performance at The Echo Theatre last week. At the risk of sounding clichéd, they haunt me. This is not the musical version of this tale, and all is better for it.
Everyone is familiar with the general storyline of the upstanding and likable Dr. Jekyll who, with the help of a carefully blended green potion, becomes the darkest version of himself. He is so altered he is actually unrecognizable and is known as Mr. Hyde. Jekyll is well-known, well-liked, successful, and honorable. Mr. Hyde is brooding, hard, and temperamental. But he is also passionate, and brutally honest. Initially, it’s obvious that Hyde is evil and must be destroyed post-haste. But somewhere along the way, the virtual Mr. Hyde becomes very real and very interesting. And in the end, you are left wondering which has the truest personality, and who is truly happy with themselves.
I struggle to share a great deal about the actual performance without significant spoilers, so let’s talk about the company. The Mortal Fools Theatre Project is a gem, founded in 2009 by Jennifer Reed, David Morgan, and David Mortensen, soon after joined by Chris Clark and Nat Reed on the Producing Board, and a collection of remarkable Associate and Visiting Actors. Auditions are rare, and casts are usually assembled by invitation. This is an impressive list of well known, experienced, and incredibly talented professionally trained actors and directors. The quality shows in the productions they create.
In this case, director David Morgan demonstrates (once again) his incredible insight and creativity. The cast is excellent all the way around and an ensemble in the truest sense. Only two actors play specific characters: Christopher Kendrick as Dr. Jekyll, and Christie Clark as Elizabeth. The rest, Bradley Moss, Reese Purser, Annadee Morgan, and Ben Hopkin all play multiple roles. Don’t let the change-ups confuse you. The best way to prevent that is to just see the characters and not try to label who is playing what. If you do that, you will be just fine.
I also have to mention that there are many women out there who find a certain amount of excitement in being in a relationship with men who are not so good for them. So don’t hold Elizabeth’s choices against her. And don’t get distracted during those final lines; you won’t want to miss them.
The Echo Theatre is a small, black-box space. The best place to park is in the Wells Fargo or Zion’s Bank structures. There is only one bathroom in the theatre, so be aware there could be a significant line at intermission. The set is beautifully dressed, the costumes are just right. The company is very audience friendly. They even hold drawings for $10 prizes each night (I know because I actually won – no bribes, I promise) and they will hold a final drawing for $100 from all the entries during the run (fingers crossed!)
Overall, this production is certainly worth the small ticket price. It’s well directed, well-acted, cleverly staged, and perfect for the season. (A little too creepy for young children, some violence and adult themes. I took my somewhat elderly mother and a fifteen year-old with no complaints.)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde continues on Oct 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, and 31. The Echo Theatre is located at 145 North University Avenue in Provo. Tickets are $12 this week, and $15 the last week. Go to mortalfools.org for tickets and information, or on Facebook.
