Jekyll & Hyde

[RENT_is_Wicked2]

Posted: 10/28/12 at 12:03am

Has anyone seen the touring production yet? What did you think? I just saw it this afternoon.

I think that it needs work, mostly on the first act in my opinion. The opening scene was weak and then it went up and down for the rest of the time. Act 2 was pretty amazing, it was strong and makes up for parts of Act 1. "Confrontation" is the BEST part of the show, the effects, lighting, and visuals were incredibly impressing.

A lot of the scenery was projected onto pieces of moving sets though, with only a few impressive sets like Henry Jekyll's lab/ home.

The whole cast was great! The Ensemble was VERY strong, "Facade" and "Murder" were just excellent. Constatine Maroulis, Deborah Cox, and Teal Wicks are all such talented individuals and the casting was very well done for this production.

Overall, I thought that it was good. It needs work since it's only a Pre-Broadway production. It seemed quite short as well, songs are cut and Act 1 was over so quickly. I think that it "might" do well on Broadway, but it needs more work to be done.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/2/12 at 11:25pm

I saw the tour tonight. It definitely needs work. I feel this "revisal" is looking to turn up the rock quotient and in doing so has definitely lost some of the gothic, erotic, and creepy elements. I feel characters arcs have gotten a bit lost.

I don't think the sexy, chemistry laden ads ever come across on stage. It doesn't seem like a Broadway production. The sets are fine but seem a little cheap and the effects for "Confrontation" were cool but felt very much like a Disney theme park show. Also the effects drowned out the lyrics and the story got a little lost.

I love Constantine but he seemed a little out of his element. He hasnt nailed the character yet. He's either nerd or rock god and his constant fussing with tying back or loosening his pony tail got annoying. Oddly enough, he didnt seem to have the vocal power to deliver "This Is The Moment". It was anti-climatic.

On the other side of the coin, Cox and Wicks stop the show. Every one of Cox's numbers silenced the audience and she got wild applause after each number. The crowd went wild for her. She delivered 10x over. Tony nod for sure.

Wicks was stunning. Too bad she has so little to do. Im not sure how this will fare. Im glad they have time to work on it.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/3/12 at 2:54am

I saw the tour in San Diego and I LOVED it. I thought it was a great production with a stellar cast. The three leads were absolutely incredible. This production was probably one of my favorite productions I have ever seen. Deborah Cox and Teal Wicks singing In His Eyes was probably one of the most amazing moments I have experienced at a show - sheer perfection.

[NOB88]

Posted: 11/3/12 at 10:33pm

I don't get to see the show until Detroit but have been reading the reviews. I may have to stop - it is making my head swim. I come here and see Good - Mixed - Bad. I read the professional reviews (so called) and see Good - Mixed - Bad. (the bad has been in the minority). At twitter it is over-the top love (mostly just plain folk but not always). The following are some of the tweets from this week in Buffalo (left out the seriously over the top fangirly comments). Have seen the same kind of tweets in every city it has been in so far.

@ConstantineM "Alive!" and amazing. Loving the show so far....#sheasbuffalo Bravo!!

@ConstantineM Intermission of @JekyllMusical. I've never heard 'This Is The Moment' sung like that before. Chilling. Incredible.#Buffalo

"@Deborah_Cox: @ConstantineM SAAAANG TWIN!!#saturdaynightonfiyahhhhh" TWIN U crazayyy!! When I can hear, I can do anything #TUkillusoon :)

Oh my freaking god @ConstantineM voice is amazing! Giving me chills @JekyllMusical

Deborah Cox ?@Deborah_Cox
@ConstantineM SAAAANG TWIN!! #saturdaynightonfiyahhhhh

@constantinem great first act. Just want act two to start

Oh my freaking god @ConstantineM voice is amazing! Giving me chills @JekyllMusical

@ConstantineM U r the sweetest! Mom loves u now!

.@ConstantineM just killed it in Jekyll & Hyde at Shea's. #buffalo

@ConstantineM as Jekyll & Hyde = perfection. Amazing job. Such an incredible show!!!

I would love to see Jekyll and Hyde again. Personally, I thought it was great. Screw the critics! @Deborah_Cox @ConstantineM

@ConstantineM is going ham right now being Jekyll and Hyde, you rock those multiple personalities #muchrespect

@ConstantineM saw the pre-opening in La Mirada, but im going again when its at the Pantages! You were just THAT AMAZING!

@ConstantineM when you sang I am Alive it gave me chills you are the only person that can hold long notes and make them fabulous!

@ConstantineM Thank you for coming to Buffalo. Your performance was flawless last night!!

Saw the upcoming revival of Jekyll and Hyde with @Deborah_Coxand @constantinem tonight! All I can say is amazing!

@ConstantineM saw the show tonight, awesome, thanks for bringing it to buffalo. Liked it so much going Agian. Rhonda

@ConstantineM Fantastic job Cast and Crew of "Jekyll and Hyde"! Literally made my dreams come true tonight! :)

@ConstantineM amazing job! #lovedit

Just saw the new revamped "Jekyll and Hyde" in Buffalo...wow absolutely incredible. Great performances from everyone esp.@ConstantineM

Like to thank @ConstantineM for a spectacular portrayal of Jekyll and Hyde 2nite in Buffalo! @JekyllMusical ?

@ConstantineM & @Deborah_Cox were phenomenal in #jekyll&hyde !!

@ConstantineM at the show right now during intermission..you make a badass Hyde!! :)

@ConstantineM Thanks for coming outside after the show and for the picture! The show was amazing! You were amazing! :)

@constantinem and @deborah_cox were phenomenal tonight in Jekyll and Hyde, and it was so great meeting them afterwards!!!#incredible

Ohmygod Jekyll and Hyde was incredible tonight! The performance by @constantinem literally blew me away. #spectacular#iwanttoseeitagain

@ConstantineM amazing job tonight!!!! #buffalo

@Deborah_Cox @ConstantineM and Teal Wicks, you guys were flawless tonight!! Truly an outstanding performance, WELL DONE!!#jekyll&hyde

@ConstantineM your Hyde, in the streets of buffalo is excellent! Waiting for the second act!

@ConstantineM is killing Jekyll & Hyde in my home town of #Buffalo@ Sheas w/my boy @BrianGGallagher @Bills_Mafia @buffalobillsGO SEE IT!

@ConstantineM Was truly impressed with your intense performance as Jekyll & Hyde. One of my favorite musicals & you brought the house down!

@ConstantineM awesome show tonight. Can you come do this every halloween? #newtradition #jeykllandhyde

It's officially my birth month, and one of the best gifts I got was seeing the spectacular @JekyllMusical and @ConstantineM !!

Jekyll & Hyde was super good! @ConstantineM was ridiculously fantastic in it!

@ConstantineM Wow!!! Thanks for the fantastic performance in Buffalo, New York tonight! Unbelievable!

@ConstantineM Inspired acting!! Moving vocals!! Passionate performance.

Caught you all last night at Shea's in Buffalo - GREAT JOB!!#jekyllhyde @ConstantineM @Deborah_Cox @TealWicks@JekyllMusical

Just saw @Deborah_Cox and @ConstantineM in #JekyllAndHyde all I have to say is AMAZING! I would def go see it again.

wowee- @ConstantineM was amazing as Jeckyll & Hyde tonight at Shea's. Highly recommend this one! #sheas #buffalo

@ConstantineM @Deborah_Cox @courtmarkowitz you guys are killing it!!!! Literally!

@ConstantineM This show is unreal! I love it!!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/3/12 at 11:54pm

Was that neccesary?

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 3:12pm

I think it was necessary and enjoyable to read.
The show is fantastic- audiences love it!!

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 4:37pm

Audiences loved the Wildhorn original on Broadway also, had fan following called "Jekkies".

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 4:42pm

People who tweet to an actor aren't exactly unbiased reviewers. There are plenty that aren't caring for the tour as it stands. It needs work, but everyone is giving 110%. I hope they work out the kinks.

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 6:23pm

I have not seen many who did not care for it- maybe one.
Did you see it Bettyboy?

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 6:28pm

^You can count me too. I adored the original Broadway production, but I'm not a huge fan of this incarnation.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 6:36pm

Yes Jersey I saw it Friday. Some of my comments are listed above. I think they lost a lot of what worked for the show. There was no eroticism or a dance between Lucy and Hyde. It was just S& M, violent, and aggressive. Nothing seductive or gothic.

The tour has thematic issues I believe. I think the cast is great but the show needs some streamlining. It was disjointed. Also, Maroulis seemed to be having trouble with the score. His voice clearly paled next to Wicks and Cox.

[Jersey Girl2]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 6:47pm

Sorry- I don't usually read usernames - just comments.
It will be interesting for me to see it again and see if anything has changed since CA.

[beebee2]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 7:15pm

Wow. I think I've read every review by the critics and don't think there was more than one or two who didn't at least give Constantine kudos for his singing. Even those that didn't "love" the show applauded his performance. I love both Cox and Wicks, but their performances/singing were no where near the level of Constantine. And yet I love them and think they are perfect for their roles. I love the different singing styles and think they are so appropriate for this show.

I've seen the show twice so far and just love it. Am hoping to see it on Broadway next spring.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 7:20pm

In fairness, he may have been sick the night I saw him, but the people around me all felt Cox was the standout.

[NOB88]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 7:51pm

Ya know, if you look at the twitter exchange between Cox and Maroulis yesterday, I am wondering if Constantine was having a problem with his headset the previous nights.

Have not seen the show yet but do have the concept CD and I love all three of them on it. Bettyboy have you listened to the CD?

This is a review of the CD - the reviewer prefers Maroulis to the two ladies.

Review: Jekyll & Hyde 2012 Concept Recording Updated On: 11/4/12 at 07:51 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 8:25pm

Thanks for sharing the review NoB88-I had not seen it. It confirms my take on the hodge podge of styles and themes and the loss of a coherent narrative style.

The reviewer also noted he was unsure how Maroulis would deliver the score 8 times a weak. Constantine was definitely giving 110% to the role physically and vocally, but the night I saw him he didn't deliver on "This Is The Moment." Again, it may have just been an off night.

I dont think its fair to critique Cox for not using an accent of the Concept Recording. She uses one in the show, very well, and most of the actors drop their accents when singing.

[philly03]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 8:27pm

I actually think most people find the role of Lucy more "likeable." Its interesting this time around they call her "a prostitute with a heart of gold" when the last time around for whatever reason they tried to label her as a "saucy nightclub singer."

I mean - "Bring on the Men," "Someone Like You," "A New Life" are three of Wildhorn's greatest, the last two perhaps among his most recognizable.

Updated On: 11/4/12 at 08:27 PM

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 8:33pm

Lucy gets the best songs in the show, so it's hard for her not to have a strong audience connection.

[NOB88]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 9:10pm

I had never heard of Cox before this show but fell in love with her on the CD. I thought the reviewer was too hard on her. I am sure I am going to love her on stage - along with Constantine :)

This is a tweet from tonight:

Brian Schuh ?@BrianSchuh314
Jesus Christ, Mary, Joseph, all the saints and martyrs and Jesus I want Constantine Maroulis' voice. #Jekyll&Hyde

I have over $500 invested in tickets for Detroit - so this is the kind of thing I want to hear :)
Updated On: 11/4/12 at 09:10 PM

[RENT_is_Wicked2]

Posted: 11/4/12 at 11:07pm

I thought when Constatine sang "This Is The Moment" and "Alive" I thought "I'm so glad he was casted as Jekyll/Hyde!" But other times I feel like he didn't really fit the role. There were some notes he hit that made him sound like he was in Rock of Ages. His vice is like a rock artist in my opinion.

The ONLY problem with Deborah was at the end of "Someone Like You" when she fell flat. It was obvious cause right after people in the audience started talking... which was rude. But "A New Life" was incredible.

Teal Wicks was phenomenal! I was sad as well that she didn't have as big of a part though.

As for the ensemble, the crowd LOVED "Murder" and "Facade" was so great.

The only reason why I didn't like the beginning is because couldn't understand what Constatine was singing sadly. Might have been a mic issue.

[JBC2]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 12:37pm

I think the show needs further work, especially in the staging choices ( for example, I didn't think Jekyll should be just standing with his doctor's bag in his hands, facing the audience when singing "I Need to Know"). Some of the songs went on a little too long, IMO, such as "Facade", and I thought "A New Life" dragged a little; perhaps if there were more stage business than the occasional folding of a clothing item into a trunk it would have kept my attention better.

The sound was excellent, and Constantine's vocal energy was strong throughout. There was a slight malfunction of the props in one scene.....when Jekyll put on a collar and arm contraption in order to infuse his concoction, one of the tubes from the beaker to his neck kept falling out. After the second attempt to reinsert it, Constantine wisely ignored its dangling presence.

I, too, wish Teal Wicks had a bigger role. I freely admit to being a huge fan of hers, and anytime she has an opportunity to sing, the audience is in for a treat.

I hope some of the concerns some of the audiences have expressed are addressed before the tour ends and the show comes to Broadway, but even so, I enjoyed the show immensely and will see it again when it comes to another nearby city.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 1:43pm

It is a piece of manufactured commercial junk. The show has always been bad. But this production is soulless . No artistic merit at all. They just want your money.

[philly03]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 6:38pm

^ I wouldn't go that far.

The only thing I would say the producers/marketing are guilty of are claiming this is a "revisal." This is the same show that toured years ago (with a few changes, book/lyrics and orchestrations, and obviously direction/design), but no where near a "full on revisal."

I wish (sounds like many fans and non-fans as well) that they had try to actually re-develop the show (especially with all the "trunk" songs this one has).

Seeing it in Philly again - but there are some moments that I just can't believe Leslie or Frank haven't suggested to Jeff Calhoun to re-stage (particularly scenes like "Bring on the Men," which is cryptic and boring in this version).

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 8:36pm

THERE BE SPOILERS WITHIN!

I actually think, based on, uh, we'll call it "things I've heard," that the material suffered a little from this "revisal."

For example, the total loss of the Stride subplot seems rather surprising, given that from the time of the 1987 demos (when his character was named "William Scheisse"), he has been a big part of the story-line. Yes, gradually, his role was reduced over time, with only the FCLO version now featuring his character the most heavily, but he was not a non-entity as he is here, existing only to be killed in the (reconfigured) Act Two opening.

Speaking of that opening... really? So the problem with "Murder, Murder" was that the title was one repeated word too long? I mean, at least they replaced the "St. Paul's" couplet (not that I could discern what the hell the new rhyme was on what I heard), but that was seriously not the biggest problem with that number. If anything, it makes it kind of drone more. It's like a ghostly wail. "MUUUURDEEER..."

I also feel like an opportunity was missed to cash in on the Resurrection album (and their casting of another rocker in the title role) by not including more of that album's material. I'd love to hear Constantine rip into "The World Has Gone Insane" for example. (And incidentally, why record "No One Knows Who I Am" and "The Girls of the Night" with Deborah on the pre-tour album if you're not going to include them in the actual show? Those are great numbers that enhance her character and her surroundings.)

I feel like what little substance the show had, and that's not saying much given my opinion of the work (which is similar to that of some other posters), has been stripped out of this version.

[philly03]

Posted: 11/5/12 at 8:45pm

I think the problem with "No One Knows Who I Am" is that there's one part of the show to put it in, where it was in the Broadway production, to make it seem effective for a character arc. Other wise it gets tangled messily in between "In His Eyes" or "Dangerous Game."

Why "Girls of the Night" isn't included baffles me (unless they were worried Cox's voice) - great song, always a crowd pleaser every time I've seen the musical with it in.

Like I said - with all the trunk songs, I'm surprised they didn't find a new way to open Act II or throw a few of the other songs in.

Interested to see if any big changes will come on the tour, doesn't seem like it so far. Seems Calhoun is a fan of the show running quickly as well - I believe its about 10 minutes or so shorter than the original productions.