Jekyll and Hyde Pre-Broadway tour question

[James885]

Posted: 1/27/10 at 7:24pm

Almost everyone I know who saw Gregory Boyd's pre-Broadway touring production of Jekyll and Hyde says that it was much better than the production that ultimately ended up on Broadway.

Since I never saw it (I've only seen the DVD with Hassellhoff), I was wondering if anyone here who did see the tour could enlighten me as to what some of the differences were between the tour and the Broadway incarnation.

I'm particularly curious as to whether the score and book were drastically different. Were "Bring On The Men" and "The Girls of The Night" included in the score?

Frank Wildhorn also mentioned in an interview that Boyd's production was much more lavish. I know that they used a giant projection of Hyde for "The Confrontation". Why did they change directors when the show came to Broadway?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/27/10 at 8:11pm

That's a mighty tall order! Actually, there were two pre-Broadway tours as it came back a year later with a few changes, but it was the first one that was the best. I don't remember absolutely everything, but I'll sort of throw out some of the stuff I recall.

The score was the entire 2-CD studio recording, except The World Has Gone Insane. So, if you are familiar with that, then you know those changes. The staging was entirely different. The basic set consisted of a catwalk across the length of the stage with stairwell on either side, not unlike Evita. Other set pieces were flown in such as windows for the engagement party and the upper part of the laboratory, which included a giant suspended mirror and all sort of beakers and gizmos that sparked and bubbled (the Broadway version was just a static set piece). The mirror was used like you said for The Confrontation, but was also featured for In His Eyes. Jekyll remained seated in a chair on the floor alone as the mirror was lowered to the floor behind him. Lucy and Lisa (before her name was changed to Emma) appeared through the glass and walked out from behind the mirror to perform the song behind him.

Bring on the Men was a rousing number in the pub performed by Lucy and all the girls. There were no Devil-boys in Spandex onesies. Girls of the Night was performed by all the women while on the catwalk and the stairs. The Board of Governors also performed their number from various positions on the catwalk with some audio reverb that gave them a menacing tone of authority as if in some great hall. The original Confrontation was a mind-blowing effect that truly stunned the audience. And Lucy's death was far more sinister, creepy and quite bloody. I'll never forget the gasps from the audience as Hyde suddenly appeared onstage next to Lucy's bed during a flash of lightning. Oh, and Murder Murder was staged with the ensemble reading newspapers, not dancing with umbrellas.

I can't remember the book changes, but I know that a few scenes were shuffled around and trimmed here and there, but the biggest differences took place in the score and staging, which were vastly different. I have no idea why the Broadway producers wanted to make such a drastic change in the show. The third incarnation of Gregory Boyd was when the show first started showing signs of misdirection. I don't know why they couldn't have left well enough alone when the first two productions were being received so well. The original production at the Alley received national attention and created HUGE buzz. While there were several changes from there in the book and score (pretty much all of them were for the better, trimming a rather lengthy production), the necessary changes in staging mostly had to do with the transition of going from the thrust stage to the proscenium (except the original Confrontation used a live double behind the mirror). I never understood why they didn't keep Chuck Wagner either, unless he wasn't available or something.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/27/10 at 8:39pm

I still think the revised book used for the Broadway production is far superior to the pre-Broadway tour and post-Broadway tour book which, for some reason, is the version they chose to license for regional companies. I'll never fully understand why they went back to the old book.

[philly03]

Posted: 1/27/10 at 8:50pm

I agree with you CATSNYrevival, but I'm sure it's because the Broadway production got horrible tours and the Broadway National Touring Company got very good reviews. Broadway book was at it's CLEAREST. Don't know if I'd say strongest!

Still will always love what Robin Phillips did with the Nobody Knows Who I Am number!

[Disneyland Magic Man]

Posted: 1/27/10 at 8:54pm

What you described sounds a lot like what is now being licensed from Fullerton Civic Light Opera as an alternate version of the show.

I happened to be in major production of the show out here in 2007 which used the Fullerton version as it's basis. With the permission of the authors (and some of their help), we created what we were told was the 8th or 9th official rewrite of the piece since it's Broadway opening... or something like that. I don't know. After watching the show, Wildhorn himself stated that it was the best version of the piece he'd seen.

The set was very similar to what you described. A very industrial catwalk with two spiral staircases on each side and ladders coming down from the bridge. We had the sung through board of governors, Bring on the Men, and Girls of the Night as a chorus number led by Nellie (omitting Lucy's verse). Also, the character of Spider was deleted and Simone Stide became more of an uber villain... playing to both classes. Emma's ex and Lucy's best customer. And no umbrellas during Murder, Murder. Thank GOD!

[James885]

Posted: 1/27/10 at 9:09pm

Thanks for the information Mister Matt! I have heard the studio recording and I very much prefer it to the OBCR, although I do like Robert Cuccioli on the OBCR. It does sound like the tour was better than the Broadway version. It's a shame they made so many changes to the score and the staging when they brought it to Broadway. I never really liked the numerous "Facade" reprises or the umbrella choreography in "Murder, Murder".

[Kev]

Posted: 1/28/10 at 1:39pm

I saw the Pre-Broadway tour, as well. It had a gothic, rock-concert feel to it (hardcore lighting, scaffolding-esque sets, lots of parking/barking solos downstage center.) I wouldn't go as far to say that it was superior to the Broadway production since this tour felt more focused on spectacle and power solos. It got the crowd on its feet, though.

I actually loved most of what Robin Phillips did with the Broadway production (including his set design.) I appreciated the intimate feel of the new production and the book was definitely stronger. Minus the bizarre umbrellaography, "Murder, Murder" was so in the audience's face, as it should have been. "Girls of the Night," while a haunting song, was rightfully dropped but "Bring on the Men" was missed.

All that said, I found both aforementioned productions to be stronger than the POST-Broadway tour, which was a synthesized, cheezy mess. Chuck Wagner admirably hurled himself into the title role(s), though.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/2/10 at 7:48pm

I also saw the pre-Broadway tour, in Denver. The Board of Governors' scene was pretty cool. "Confrontation" almost got a standing ovation. I am sure someone here knows the details (Which I forget) as to why the mirror was taken out of the show on Broadway. From what I remember it was a riff between the creator of the effect and the production. (Copyright dispute maybe?)

I saw the tour after it opened on Broadway and "Bring on the Men" had been put back into the show. (Thank God!) It has been so long but I remember I liked the look of the show, for the most part, better than the pre-Broadway tour although I did like what they did with the lighting in the pre-Broadway tour. It was a really good production.

Linda Eder came back to Denver while they were preparing the show for B'way to do a "thank you" concert. Denver had the highest grosses on the pre-Broadway tour. Wildhorn came with her. Most of the tickets were comped. It was a great evening and the 1st time I heard her sing "Don't Rain on My Parade" live, which brought the house down.