Jekyll and Hyde Concert 10/22 Review

[MrBundles]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 2:09pm

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Jekyll and Hyde The concert on it's third tour stop at my school, and I must say that this is definitely something not to be missed. I sat so close that I could almost touch the people on the stage.

The new elements of the score were absolutely wonderful. The addition of more percussion and an electric guitar really took the music to a new level. I do not remember hearing an orchestra ever sound this amazing. I know that some engagements only have a 6-piece orchestra, but the 30-piece definitely made the sound so full, and at times added a creepiness to the music.

Everything was very simple. The orchestra and band behind the performers added a cool tone to the production. There were few props, but those used worked perfectly. The only scenery was a backdrop which made it look like the entire back wall of the theatre was made of old bricks. As for the lighting, it worked wonderful. Emma often had white over her shoulder, and Lucy red, and of course the normal switching of the light from one side of the stage to the other to show the Jekyll/Hyde transformation is there. The new Hyde mic effect works really well. When he laughs it feels like you're in a haunted house, but it works quite well. The costumes were perfect. Both ladies wore black. Emma's costume was of course more classy, and she had her hair back a little bit, while Lucy's dress was shorter, and her hair was a bit more wild (and shorter). Jekyll/Hyde has two of the same style of costumes from the regular show. The cast interaction was fun. While one of them was sitting on a stool as another sang, they would just sit there and enjoy the music, and applaud when the time was right. I really loved after "In His Eyes," Kate and Brandi just looked at each other and pointed and grinned....kind of like "damn, we just rocked!" haha.

Brandi Burkhardt was stunning as Emma, especially in her brand new song that did not exist when the concert first premiered. She made Emma her own.

Kate Shindle, my personal favorite was mesmerizing. She commanded the stage, and every time she sang, I could not take my eyes of her. One of the best female singers I have heard in a very long time. I loved her strong connection with the audience, and her cute mannerisms on stage. "Bring On The Men" was wonderful, with her smirks and her partially pulling her dress up. She was definitely the highlight of the show for me.

Rob Evan was the best Jekyll/Hyde I have ever seen or heard. His dedication to the role is beyond words. I have heard he was amazing in this role, but I really did not expect him to have this much talent. He surpassed every expectation I had, and he received standing ovations multiple times during the show. I loved the usage of both the body mic and stage mic, and how he would always connect with the other characters and the orchestra conductor. At one point, the electric guitarist came forward to play a solo, and Rob kind of just rocked out with him. It sounds like it would be kind of stupid, but it really worked well. I am very glad I got to see him in the role. It was a treat.

Afterwards, I got to meat the cast and get autographs/pictures. Kate Shindle has to be one of the nicest people in theatre I have come across. I must have talked to her for five minutes. I asked her when the recording was going to come out, but she said she did not know and that they were still mixing it. She told me to keep checking the website though (the record company is Global Records). She said the recording is slightly different from the actual concert, but it is still amazing. She want on to talk about the show, and how Emma's new song ("If You Only Knew") was amazing. I told her how much I loved that some of the old pre-Broadway songs were added back into the show, and she told me that Frank Wildhorn and Rob Evan sat down together and pretty much put the whole thing together. She said that they took the music and thought "What if Evanesence sung this song?" or "what would this song sound like if it were more R&B?" It was a very interesting conversation, and she was the sweetest person. She asked me about what I was doing in theatre, and it was fun to talk to her. I had my camera but nobody to take a picture, so she ran over to some girls and asked if one would take a picture of us! I didn't get to talk to Brandi and Rob as much because they had been there for a while, and I could tell that everyone wanted to leave, but everyone was very nice and gracious. I saw someone ask for an autograph from this man, and I looked over, and It was none other than Frank Wildhorn. So, I was pretty excited that I got to meet him and get his autograph!

You definitely do not want to miss this show if you have the chance to see it. It was candy for the ears.

Updated On: 10/23/05 at 02:09 PM

[MrBundles]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 2:24pm

Oh yeah, for anyone who wants to know. This is what was listed in the program (I know some song titles are wrong):

Prologue
Board of Governors
I Need To Know
Posessed
Take Me As I Am
Bring On The Men
Lucy Meets Jekyll
How Can I Continue
This is the Moment
The Transformation
The Girls of the Night
Lucy Meets Hyde
Alive
If You Only Knew
Sympathy-Tenderness
Someone Like You


Entr'Acte
Once Upon A Dream
Musical Argument
The World Has Gone Insane
No One Knows Who I Am
Dangerous Game
In His Eyes
The Journey Back
A New Life
Sympathy-Tenderness (Reprise)
The Confromtation
Once Upon A Dream (Reprise)

Updated On: 10/23/05 at 02:24 PM

[juice23]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 3:51pm

they cut all the ensemble songs.... thats sad. and i love good and evil too.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 3:58pm

It is sad they cut Façade - one of the best songs from the show.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 4:08pm

how would they do those with three people? It'd be kinda lame. still waiting for news on the CD...

[Demitri2]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 4:40pm

I'm glad you got to see Rob Evan. Years ago I saw the pre- Broadway version (which I enjoyed so much more than the Broadway one) in Seattle. The cast was the same as the one that opened in NY but the night that I attended Robert Cuccioli was out sick and Rob Evan went on for him. It could very well have been his first time playing the role because I'll never forget when he came out for his curtain call he looked out at the audience and ran his hand across his forehead as if to say "Phew!,what a night but I got through it!". I loved the gesture as well as his performance (even moreso after seeing the Hasselhoff in NY).

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 5:21pm

Murder Murder and Girls of the Night are two of my favorites. Ashame they are not included.

[WildhornFanatic]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 5:31pm

GIRLS OF THE NIGHT was included.

I saw the show at Lenape and it was AMAZING.

[Marguerite Chauvelin]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 6:00pm

I can't wait! I'm seeing this concert the 30th.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 7:14pm

It's a totally different presentation than the staged musical. As Rob explains, the story is sort of narrated through the 3 characters. The plot surrounds them and is forwarded nicely by the songs. It's quite clear and tight and very impressively done.

I remember telling Frank that I thought this was more enjoyable than the actual show " No Facade, No Murder, Murder, No chorus" and you don't miss it". It is simply that strong on its own.

It's strength lies in the fact that the vocalists are so powerful and the staging keep you on your toes the entire time. No one sings this better than Rob, imo. And the fact that they've added a great deal of talent with this rock edge band allows the cast to really make it their own.

BTW, was that featured guitarist, Alex Skolnick? If so, he is from the Trans Siberian Orchestra, whom Rob toured with a few years ago and is one heck of a rocker. They work together when then can. Please check your program and let me know. I love Alex's work.

I'm glad this concert is so well received for more reasons than one. It's really worth catching. Please give my best to Rob on the 30th, if you happen to see him. Thanks.


Pati b

[MrBundles]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 8:20pm

You really have to look at it from a different perspective than the actual show. The ensemble numbers are some of my favorite in the show, but this is a concert with the three main characters, and the sole focus is on their love stories. It really is wonderful.

[WildhornFanatic]

Posted: 10/23/05 at 10:26pm

I have to say, while Rob sounds great, he is not the best sounding Jekyll.

The best sounding Jekyll is Anthony Warlow. Hands down.

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 1:52am

I, for one, really like the sound of this. They cut all the bad songs which is amazing. I am in awe of that alone

Can't wait for the CD. It's a dream come true

God speed all ye involved!

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 1:58am

Also:

Rob Evan was supposed to be in Batman, so that's another bonus. I've heard his singing in the Steinman show, and he's quite amazing (but nothing on the original singers themselves: which is a whole other issue....)

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 2:19am

Aww...I was debating seeing this in Jersey in the end of January...love the score now and never got to see the show...but not only is "Facade" my fav song in the whole show, I think if I had to pick it's my fav song ever. It's gonna be really hard to watching it w/o it. Suppose that shouldn't be a reason to miss it, but...still sad.

[WildhornFanatic]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 9:02am

wickedrentq - With the format and structure of the show, you don't even realize there is no chorus and no FACADE or MURDER/ MURDER.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 9:34am

As was mentioned, there's no reason for a chorus, thus no reason for those songs. This concert cuts to the chase with Jekyll's dilemma, transformation into Hyde, run in with Miss Lucy and her thingee, choosing between the two ladies, Confrontation etc. etc...and a nice surprise ending! Again, it's a 3 part cast with all the major lead actor songs and it works.

Not to forget, there is a fair amount of brief recorded narration using Jekyll & Emma's voice to get the audience up to par before some of the songs. You definetly get the idea of what has/is taking place.

I've not seen this since the premiere at Lenape. There's a few scenes that I feel needed to be tweaked, imo. So I'm curious to see if they've implemented some suggetions. Guess I'll have to see it again in Jan. at Morristown.

I would "guess" that the recording will include Rob Evan, Kate Shindle and Brandi Burkhardt (Frank's new girl who seems to be a sweetie) since this seems to be the steady cast,for now. Lauren Kennedy did Emma at the premiere so I've not heard Brandi, but word is that she is delightful as Emma. And Kate is just a powerhouse as Lucy...probably the best vocally other than Linda Eder, In my opinion.

All in All,this concert really works well.


edited for spelling...of course :)

Updated On: 10/24/05 at 09:34 AM

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 9:40am

I'm totally with you on that. Frank's work has really impressed me lately, with the exception with what happened to Dracula on Bway. But, otherwise, no... he has really impressed me

I hope this paves the way to some form of ultimate Jekyll: which should culminate in a successful Broadway revival, implementing that version as the permanent and only available version to perform EVERYWHERE!

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 11:20am

Question...at diff. stops on thet our they say are diff. versions...for example, the one I'm looking at in Jersey says "this is the 6 piece version." Does anyone know what that means?

Well, I see what you're saying, but again considering how much I adore the song, I would still miss "Facade." Ah well.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 10/24/05 at 2:12pm

6 piece band version, 3 performers of course. The bigger orch./bands sound wonderful but in some cases are a budget buster.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/20/05 at 8:19am

Also,here's a link to the premiere of the show last summer in Marlton, NJ.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=1005

The tour calendar is listed on Rob Evan's website https://www.rob-evan.com. I was just told that the concert will have a 2-3 week run in Korea in 2006.


Pati b.
BWW.com " Philly"

[ken8631]

Posted: 12/20/05 at 8:23am

I'm debating seeing this in Morristown.... Sounds like it could be fun.

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 12/20/05 at 2:41pm

Great REview. I saw Rob in Jekyll years ago on broadway and loved him. He is imo the best jekyll far and away! I can't wait to see him in Cyrano next fall in London (saving money already for the trip! YAY).

[MrBundles]

Posted: 12/21/05 at 2:07am

yeah rob is awesome...haha and i just realized i typed i got to "meat" the cast. haha thats awesome.

Posted: 12/22/05 at 1:20am

imho...Joe Maholwald was the most amazing JH and the most unappreciated JH. he was BY FAR the BEST actor in the role. i loved his voice too though he may not have SCREAMED as much as other JH's...HE didn't need to. he is an amazing performer..so polished and consistant. he should be working MORE!
Updated On: 12/23/05 at 01:20 AM