The Grand 1894 Opera House to Welcome Rob Landes for DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE Score, 10/30

The Grand 1894 Opera House welcomes keyboard marvel and Galveston favorite Rob Landes at the organ, performing his specially created, improvised musical score for the showing of John Barrymore's 1920 silent film classic, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Friday, October 30 at 8 pm. Tickets may be purchased at The Grand's Box Office, 2020 Postoffice Street, by calling 409.765.1894, 800.821.1894, or online at www.thegrand.com.

American stage actor and screen star John Barrymore (born into a family of acting royalty that included older siblings Lionel and Ethel, and granddaughter Drew) was referred to affectionately as "The Great Profile," because of his classically aristocratic good looks. At his zenith in the 1920s, Barrymore was acclaimed as the greatest Shakespearian actor of his generation. Playing the dual roles of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Barrymore was hailed by critics who praised his portrayal as "a thing of fine shadows and violent emotions." The film was so successful that the US Navy used stills of Barrymore in its recruiting posters!

Before the age of digital sound and computerized special effects, silent film actors transported audiences to worlds of romance, comedy, adventure, and horror, without uttering a single word. The earliest "sound" accompaniment to silent films was provided by a lone piano soloist, who improvised or performed compilations of classical or theatrical musical repertoire. Prior to the addition of orchestral musicians, it was the massive theatre organ that expanded the emotional content of the silent film, thrilling audiences with a wide range of simulated orchestral sounds and special effects ranging from galloping horses to rolling thunder.

For ticket prices and more information about the new 2015-2016 season, call The Grand's box office
at 409.765.1894 or 800.821.1894, or visit The Grand's web site at www.thegrand.com. Subscription and single tickets are now on sale.