Kate Shindle's Take on 'Jekyll & Hyde in Concert'

Pati Buehler: What is different about this concert production and playing Lucy in the Broadway show?

Kate Shindle: Many things, starting with the smaller cast, and the bigger orchestra. It's got a different sound to it because it has more of a rock edge, and also we're introducing the songs differently as well. The interesting thing about doing this show has been that we're finding out what it is as we go along. Even after the first performance, we discovered adjustments which would make the show stronger. It's a delicate balance to do a show in concert, because there needs to be certain self-awareness about it. At the same time, though, we need to fully commit to the characters we're playing so it's tricky. I think that fans of the show will really respond to it because not only does it feature their favorite songs from the Broadway show, but other songs which were part of the show along the way--"Bring on the Men," "Girls of the Night," and "The World Has Gone Insane" (which I think was only around for a couple of performances, but I could be wrong).

We invite the audience to take the ride with us--we're working on making it a little less of a proscenium show and experimenting with the fourth wall. So it's very different in some ways, but very recognizable in others.

PB: Kate, your New York Cabaret show " Me and My Shadow" was a hit! What else is happening in your career?

KS: Thanks! That was really fun. A lot is of things are happening. At the top of the list right now is getting a concert of "Pippin" off the ground for World AIDS Day; Jamie McGonnigal and I pulled together a "Children of Eden" concert last year and it was incredibly exciting. I'm co-producing and singing the part of Catherine. We're benefiting the National AIDS Fund at the Storm Theatre, where I recently did "A Midsummer Night's Dream." I just did a day part on "As the World Turns" which is airing August 3rd that's short but was a lot of fun. Aside from this Jekyll project, I'm scheduled to do a production of Cabaret, and I'm talking to a certain director about doing an upcoming regional production of "After the Fall." I'm also spending a lot of time workshopping new musicals lately, and have two coming up soon. I'm also spending some time in the recording studio. As you can tell, I think it's incredibly important to have lots of irons in the fire!

PB: It's great to have you back in South Jersey, the place you call home. I'm sure you will have a lot of fun and a lot of friends coming out this weekend.

KS: Thanks Pati! I am really excited about this too.

photo credit: Jim Weiner and Lauren Kennedy website

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