DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE Adapted By Jeffrey Hatcher Runs At ACT 4/10-5/10

Jeffrey Hatcher has seen the Victorians, and they are us. The timely nature of Hatcher's inventive 2008 retelling of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde cannot be ignored; and ACT is thrilled to launch its 45th Anniversary season with this classic thriller that runs in the Allen Theatre from April 10 to May 10, 2009. Hatcher's new play honors Robert Louis Stevenson's original 1886 novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, while adding a brisk pace and complex interpretation of the murky relationship between good and evil. Even the Mystery Writers of America agree that Hatcher's examination of this controversial "gray area" is worthy of recognition and have recently nominated Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde for an Edgar Award as its 2008 "Best Play." The awards will be presented in New York City on April 30, 2009, just two weeks into ACT's Seattle run.

The talented and adept six person cast includes: Sylvie Davidson (Miss Elizabeth Jelkes), Brad Farwell (Dr. Henry Jekyll), Deborah Fialkow (Mr. Edward Hyde), David Anthony Lewis (Mr. Edward Hyde), David Pichette (Mr. Edward Hyde), and BranDon Whitehead (Mr. Edward Hyde). They began rehearsals last week and are relishing the process of exploring the dualities and varied dialects of their own individual characters.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde will haunt and delight Seattle audiences with bloodcurdling sound effects, a minimalist set, and authentic costume stylings. The overall design relies on an all gray color palette with occasional punches of blood red and bile yellow. It integrates props and music reminiscent of 19th century Victorian England and, of course, there will be fog.

In early 2008 Arizona Theatre Company and San Jose Repertory Theatre co-produced the world premiere of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde starring R. Hamilton Wright as Dr. Jekyll. Now Wright, assuming the role of director, lends his experience as Jekyll to the new cast. Wright remarks, "As a director who has previously played one of the roles, I certainly approach this project from a unique angle. But the fact that we are mounting this production in-the-round requires tossing out most of my previous experience and re-inventing the play in an exciting new way."

In addition to pre- and post-show discussions, additional presentations in conjunction with Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde include 4 Horseman/PURE Cirkus' Le Cabaret Noir, a spectacular variety show of Queens and Harlots from all over the Northwest. As the mainstage production Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde examines the area between good and evil, this companion piece will take things one stiletto-heel-step further and spotlight the tantalizing ambiguity of gender-bending performance art. Le Cabaret Noir features fabulous drag queens, boom-pow burlesque, uncanny impersonators, torchy chanteuses and more. A rotating cast of performers will include: Ben De La Crème, Fuschia Foxx, Paula the Swedish Housewife, Ultra, Sydni Deveraux, Ernie Von Schmaltz, Waxie Moon, Indigo Blue, and Boi/y's Club. Visit www.lecabaretnoir.com, April 17-18, 24-25; May 1-2, 8-9 at 10:00 p.m. Tickets are $20, or $10 with the purchase of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ticket.

Director R. Hamilton Wright and cast members are available for interviews. Pre-production photos will be available for download by April 6, 2009. For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact Jennifer Rice at (206) 285-5175 or rice1234@yahoo.com, or Jacquelyn Rardin at (206) 292-7660 ext. 1327 or jacquelyn.rardin@acttheatre.org.

 

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