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The Duality Of Good And Evil At Hartford Stage

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a familiar story with a familiar theme–the ability of good and evil to exist within one individual. Since Robert Louis Stevenson’s short novel was published, it has been translated to screen and stage multiple times. Now, playwright Jeffrey Hatcher has adapted it for the stage, using a very creative approach that underlines the allegorical nature of the piece.

By less obviously relying on “science” and a potion to instigate the transformation, the underlying theme becomes clearer and more meaningful. This isn’t a case of science running amok but of intrinsic human nature.

The Hartford Stage production, directed by Artistic Director Melia Bensussen and running through Sunday, November 3, uses a cast of six, four playing multiple roles. Only Nathan Darrow, as Jekyll, and Sarah Chalfie as Elizabeth, play just one role.

Hyde is played at different times during the two-hour (with intermission) play by most of the actors. This can be momentarily confusing. The actor you just saw as Dr. Utterson, for example, is suddenly the murderous Hyde.

Bensussen and set designer Sara Brown have created a spectacular set that will stun you as you enter the theater. It looks exactly how you would picture what a Victorian street and laboratory look like. It is also flexible; the stairs that go down from Jekyll’s laboratory can be used as part of the street. Yet it has amazing detail.

Creating the ominous atmosphere is brilliantly done by lighting designer Evan C. Anderson. You never feel the sun shining; there is always a hint of darkness. The scenes in the London streets are particularly effective. The lighting helps build the mystery as it draws our attention to specific elements, such as the red door that is the door to Hyde’s home.

Contributing mightily to the sense of horror is the sound design and original music by Jane Shaw. It never overwhelms the production but creates the mood.

An-lin Dauber has created stylish Victorian era costumes, most in black and grey. The occasional brighter color, such as a red vest, captures our eye. Yet even that can remind us of blood.

In addition, Shura Baryshnikov has created choreography (or I would call it stylized movement) and Omar Robinson has created the fight choreography. Both are excellent.

Bensussen has assembled a fine cast and directed them with precision. Nathan Darrow creates a Jekyll who seems always in control, except in those few moments when he isn’t.

If you are not familiar with the story–is there anyone who doesn’t know it?–you might not realize what is going on. Jekyll is a man of science but with a streak of ego. One of my quibbles with the direction is that because Jekyll’s laboratory is both raised and upstage, you do not always see clearly what he is doing in there. What is lost is the connection between Jekyll taking the potion and Hyde’s subsequent actions.

Sarah Chalfie plays Elizabeth Jelkes, the woman who falls in love with Hyde. Her Elizabeth is strong-willed and determined

The other four cast members, play a variety of roles, though each has a main role that they return to. All are excellent. Peter Stray plays Dr. H. K. Lanyon, the physician who Jekyll believes is a fraud; Nayib Felix is Sir Danvers Carew, one of Hyde’s victims; Omar Robinson is Dr. Garbriel Utterson, Jekyll’s lawyer who narrates a good portion of the show; and Jennifer Rae Bareilles as Jekyll’s butler, Poole.

Each of the characters narrate portions of the play, giving us a variety of viewpoints. It is clear how Jekyll’s friends struggle with the possibility that he is, in fact, the murderous Hyde.

Certainly the novella and play are open to multiple interpretations about science, mankind, and some modern authorities would say psychiatric illnesses.

Stevenson wrote the novella in 1886, supposedly over only a few days. It helped establish the Gothic horror genre of fiction.

Hatcher, whose best-known play was Tuesdays with Morrie, is familiar with the mystery/horror genre. He has written stage adaptations of Dial M for Murder, Mrs. Mannerly Murders, Holmes and Watson, and many other plays.

You will enjoy both the theatricality and the suspense of this production.

Tickets are available at HartfordStage.org.