Steadstyle Chicago
	June 2008 Theatre Review by Meghan Gillogly
	Looking for a Ticket Broker? Check out the hottest broadway tickets from Gotickets.com Jekyll and Hyde Critical Evaluation: **** out of **** (Left) Courtney Crouse, (Center) Monica Szaflik, (Right) Ensemble in Bohemian Ensemble Theatre's production of "Jekyll and Hyde".  Photos by Michelle Julazadeh. "Jekyll and Hyde" is performed by the BoHo Theatre Ensemble at the Theatre Building Chicago starring Courtney Crouse, Laura McClain, Monica Szaflik, John B. Leen, Kevin Bishop, Danni Smith, Michael Updike, Michael Herschberg, Jennings Wynn, Rodrigo Ignacio Cruz, Tom McGunn, John Taflan, Lisa Liaromatis and Caitlainne Gurreri. This chilling, dark tale of a man with a split personality told through a beautiful score and talented actors will have you wanting to see more.  Set in London in 1885 with dark overtones both literally and figuratively, "Jekyll and Hyde" explores the side of ourselves we keep hidden no matter how monstrous it can be.  Dr. Jekyll is forced to take on an experiment of his own not intended for human consumption after town authorities dismiss his plea to continue his testing.  He ends up having no other choice but to take it on himself and through this experimentation he transforms into an entity that is blood thirsty and virtually unrecognizable.  Courtney Crouse did an impeccable job both vocally and artistically transforming Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde in a seamless manner.  I especially enjoyed Crouse's enthusiasm when singing "Alive" with the accompaniment of the cast where the first transformation is taken.  I always felt his emotion in a powerful, heartfelt way that really brought Jekyll/Hyde to life.  Brenda Didier's choreography was effective and original using everything from bodies lying on the floor to breathing deeply and making evil noises that added to the gothic feel throughout the whole play.  The cast itself was strong in character choices and vocal harmonies that often made for chilling effects and high energy that succeeded to impress the audience.  The only part I felt was short of the caliber of BoHo's interpretation was that of the character Lucy played by Monica Szaflik.  It wasn't that she was bad it was that she was miscast.  The character of Lucy is supposed to be luscious and enticing and sang words in her songs like "I Like to have a man for breakfast each day" in the usually very entertaining "Bring on the Men."   Her performance lacked not only the energy for a belt song of that nature but there seemed to be no inner dialogue or feeling behind her words.   She was my biggest disappointment and she would have been a better asset as a chorus member leaving the role of Lucy to a more textured, sassy actor in feeling and expression.   Overall, this was a very entertaining cast, production and the flow of the show moved rapidly and concisely.  There is nothing worse than a musical that moves at a snail's pace.  You will not find that in this production and should not be disappointed. "Jekyll and Hyde" is about 2 hours in length with a fifteen minute intermission.  The BoHo musical plays at the Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont from May31-July 20, 2008.  Tickets are $20-$27 and can be purchased by calling 773-327-5252 or at www.theatrebuildingchicago.org.   About Meghan Gillogly Meghan Gillogly was born and raised in Florida and has been involved with the arts since the age of two years old.  She started as a dancer in everything from tap, jazz, ballet  and some ballroom and taught in Orlando for a year.  She had the opportunity to study and perform with the Sarasota Ballet of Florida, with Frank Hatchett, a master choreographer from NYC, and danced on Disney's Cinderella castle stage.  She became involved with the theater at nine years old with a local community theater and was hooked ever since.  Throughout high school she performed  in many classic plays including "Guys and Dolls," "Me and my Girl," "Once Upon a Mattress," and "Good News".  After high school, she attended and studied musical theater at Florida State University, Florida Southern College, American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, and is currently enrolled at Columbia College here in Chicago to complete her Bachelor's degree.  She also had the pleasure of studying with Michael Pieper at Second City, a talented and colorful director.  She moved to Chicago two years ago and loves it!  Meghan has had experience with creative and analytical writing most recently when reviewing "Massacre" at the Goodman Theatre this past spring for class.   Upon graduating from Columbia, Meghan plans to pursue a professional career as an actress on stage and film and is excited at the great opportunities Chicago offers to all of the arts professionally.   She is grateful for the opportunity to work with Steadstyle and see some of the world's best actors perform here in Chicago.  She also looks forward to not only experiencing the performances but becoming educated as she is a budding actress herself!   Jekyll and Hyde Review by Alan Bresloff BoHo (Bohemian Theatre Ensemble) follows its previous sold out shows with a stirring production of "Jekyll and Hyde The Musical", a theatrical phenomenon conceived for stage by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn with book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and music by Frank Wildhorn.  This is indeed a large undertaking for this youthful cast, but under the direction of Stephen M. Genovese they have put together a solid production.  This classic tale of a Scientist, Dr. Henry Jekyll, who seeks a way to get into the inner self in order to help his father who is ill and find a serum that will end the madness.  He believes that there is goodness and evil in all beings and after being turned down by the Governors of the Hospital decides that he will test his serum on himself.  The experiment does bring out his "other self", one Edward Hyde, who goes on a rampage of "Murder, Murder" (the opening number of Act Two brilliantly choreographed by Brenda Didier).  There are two love stories involved in this tale.  Dr. Jekyll is engaged to Emma (Laura McClain) and Edward Hyde is after Lucy (Monica Szaflik), a prostitute who is in love with Dr. Jekyll. The ensemble in this production wear many hats, playing many characters with lots of costume changes.  Michelle Julazadeh has created some marvelous dual costumes for the opening number "Facade" that speaks of each of us having two personalities, but to beware of the facades we put out there for the public to view. This is a show that would, on a large stage be filled with actors, but this ensemble of 10 (in addition to the four leads) does a great job of changing characters.  Kevin Bishop, Rodrigo Ignacio Cruz,Caitlainne Guereri, Michael Herschberg, Tom McGunn, Lisa Liaromatis, Danni Smith, John Taflan, Jennings Wynn and Michael Updike do a great job.  John B. Leen plays John Utterson, Jekyll's best friend and narrates the tale and you are in for a treat watching Courtney Crouse bring to life both Jekyll and Hyde.  His transformation scenes are dynamic and will keep you spellbound! The music of this production, telling this tale is a combination of production numbers and love songs and the four pieces under the direction of Nick Sula (who also plays the piano) includes Violin (Kim Lawson), Woodwinds (Anthony Parsons) and Cello (Julieanne Tehan) will make you feel that there is a complete orchestra in this small venue.  The set designed by John Zuiker is a massive undertaking on its own with a myriad of changes that are handled by the cast members.  While they do not have the glitz of a Broadway production, the set is an amazing one and works quite well. I would suggest that perhaps, for the larger changes, there be some stagehands dressed in black with black sneakers on so as not to distract from the action on stage.  I also found that during some of the Hyde scenes, the writing characters on the stage were a bit distracting and probably could have been eliminated so that the audience could watch the transformations the way they are meant to be seen.  These are very small flaws in what I would have to call a production very worth seeing.  I would think some Jeff Awards will come the way of BoHo for this one.   Jekyll and Hyde is a Winner! Review By Ruth Smerling The Bohemian Theatre Ensemble is as reliable as Broadway in New York City for performing a spectacular and earth shaking musical.  Just like their previous works, "The Life" and "Side Show," "Jekyll and Hyde" is a must see.  John Zuiker recreates Victorian England in all it’s squalor and pomp as if we were transported back there.  He probably had costumer Michelle Julazadeh in the Way-Back machine who garbs a diverse population with exquisite detail, adding ghoulish makeup and bizarre coiffure contrasting the street hustlers, prostitutes and low lifes beautifully to the wealthy upper class.  Ryan Finley’s lighting gives the production a permanent and sinister night.  It’s easy to believe the brilliant cast as they sing about the dark side we all have potential to activate at any given moment.   As the people mill around and go in their separate directions, the story hones in on Dr. Henry Jekyll (Courtney Crouse), a young, idealistic doctor who believes he has a stumbled upon a formula that can rid the human soul of its dark side.  He presents his idea to a board much like the one that tries to shoot down stem cell research to this very day, and his plea for funds is rejected.  He decides to carry on anyway, using himself as a guinea pig.  He begins taking the capsules he’s created only to find himself consumed by his own dark side, which decides to take over and call itself Mr. Hyde.  Jekyll soon finds himself in over his head.  The drug doesn’t wear off and the presence of Hyde grows stronger and stronger every day.  As he takes his giant step for mankind he breaks the hearts of two women in this tale, Emma (Laura McClain) his fiancée and Lucy (Monica Szaflik), a young courtesan he meets and tries to help until Mr. Hyde steps in.  Courtney Crouse emerges as one of the finest young talents ever seen on a Chicago stage.  His voice is monumental, especially in the presence of the brilliant voices of his two lady loves, McClain and Szaflik.  The three virtuosi converge for astonishing musical numbers.  No other company can surpass the Boho with talent, integrity and splendour.