JEKYLL AND HYDE

Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place

PRESENTS:

JEKYLL AND HYDE

REVIEWED BY: JAMALE

Some musicals entertain you. Others get inside you and stay there. Kokandy Productions’ Jekyll & Hyde is one of those shows.

From its early beginnings in Texas, Jekyll & Hyde struggled to find acceptance. After a U.S. tour in 1995, the musical finally made it to Broadway, where it received four Tony Award nominations. Since then, the show has been performed around the world. With more than 30 hard-hitting and powerful songs, including “This Is the Moment,” “Someone Like You,” “A New Life” and “In His Eyes,” its music has been giving audiences chills for decades.

I have heard these songs many times since I first discovered Jekyll & Hyde, but I have never experienced them quite like this.

There is something extraordinary about what Kokandy Productions has accomplished with this production. The unique stage, the full orchestra under the direction of Nick Sula, the lighting, scenery and performances all come together to create a production that feels much larger than its surroundings.

And then there is David Moreland.

As Dr. Henry Jekyll and his alter ego, Edward Hyde, Moreland delivers a remarkable performance. Over the past 30 years, I have seen the transformation from Jekyll into Hyde portrayed in many ways—often with long, greasy hair and skillful physical contortions. Moreland takes the transformation somewhere completely different. His Hyde isn’t simply a character with a different appearance; it is a complete physical and vocal transformation. His body moves differently, his mannerisms change and even his singing voice takes on another quality.

Sitting in the second row, I could see just how physically demanding this role is. By the end of this two-and-a-half-hour production, Moreland is literally soaking wet. I don’t understand how he does it night after night while still singing with such a powerful voice and delivering the emotion this role demands. It is an exhausting performance to watch—and an incredible one to experience.

Ava Lane Stovall, as Lucy, the woman who becomes involved with Hyde while working in the darker streets of London, has a voice that is simply stunning. When she sings, she commands the room. Her emotional connection to the material, combined with the sheer power of her voice, earned some of the biggest reactions of the evening.

Kevin Webb has the difficult role of playing Jekyll’s lawyer and closest friend, while also appearing in another production, Sunday in the Park with George, at the Chopin Theatre. He handles both demanding commitments with impressive skill.

Quinn Kelch takes on the multiple roles of Stride, Spider and Simon, and he is particularly effective as the show’s villainous presence. He plays evil so convincingly that, for a moment, you might actually believe he is.

Emily McCormick, as Emma, Jekyll’s fiancée, delivers a beautiful performance, particularly during “In His Eyes,” where her voice and emotional expression shine.

The entire cast is exceptional, working under the artistic direction of Derek Van Barham and executive producer Scot Kokandy. The production design by Shelby Burgus, scenic design by Sotirios Livaditis, and especially the lighting design by Peter Boenisch, help create the dark, atmospheric world this musical demands.

What makes this production so impressive is that it doesn’t feel like a small-company production trying to imitate Broadway. Kokandy has created something that stands on its own.

I have followed Jekyll & Hyde for decades and have seen some remarkable performers take on these roles. I never thought I would find a cast that could make me reconsider those performances—but this cast did.

And the best part is that you don’t have to break the bank to experience it. Jekyll & Hyde is playing at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place, 175 E. Chestnut Street, through November 8, 2026. Tickets can be purchased through the official Broadway In Chicago website or at the Broadway In Chicago box offices. Ticket prices start around $76, but there are opportunities for discounts, including day-of-show rush tickets and digital lottery offers when available.

If you’re driving, parking is also convenient. The Water Tower Place parking garage at 163 E. Chestnut Street is right next to the theatre, and Broadway In Chicago offers a theatre parking discount for patrons. So you can make an evening of it without worrying about where to leave your car.

If you want to experience a production where the audience is on its feet at the end, don’t miss Jekyll & Hyde at the Broadway Playhouse.

And be prepared: when that final curtain comes down, you may find yourself standing right along with everyone else.

If you see only one musical this year, make it Kokandy production Jekyll & Hyde