Hartford Stage in Hartford, Conn.
Written by Jeffrey Hatcher
Based on the novel “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson
Directed by Melia Bensussen
“Who is this Edward Hyde?”
It is a strange case, indeed, when a historic piece of theater is torn apart and rebuilt as something it was never meant to be, but that is what is now on view at Hartford Stage with their new production of this classic tale. In 1887 actor Richard Mansfield commissioned a theatrical version of the 1886 book, and since then actors as varied as Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, and John Barrymore have reveled in the act of open-view character change as Jekyll, through his medical miracle, morphs into his baser self, Hyde. Nothing too gloriously melodramatic happens in Hartford, however, for Melia Bensussen production of Jeffrey Hatcher’s play has both entities on stage at the same time still themselves with their only connection being an emotional one.
In another even more irritating error of judgement, Jekyll is a handsome white man and his darker self, Hyde, is played by a handsome Black man. This tells the audience that white is as good as white can be and a black heart belongs to a Black man. Both are attractive, but the Black man is the only truly evil presence on stage. I found this to be a base and low concept that insults people in more ways than one. Nathan Darrow’s Dr. Jekyll is deeply troubled and wishes to put an end to his experiment, but Nayib Felix’s Hyde resists all attempts to control his evil personality. While this is definitely a part of Stevenson’s story, it is played awkwardly, and at one point in this, there are five Hydes on stage confronting the only Jekyll; the odds are clearly against him.
The actors are wonderful, and they play the tensions with terrific fervor. Darrow’s doctor is deeply troubled but has little understanding of what Hyde is. With the aid of a detective, also played by Felix (I think), he learns about Hyde’s murderous indiscretions. (The program does not clearly identify all of the many characters played by this talented company of six players.) The only female character in this play is Elizabeth Jelkes, played by Sarah Chalfie. Another actress, Jennifer Rae Bareilles, plays Mr. Poole, whose appearances are stranger than strange. Like everyone but the two principals, she appears as many people throughout the show.
It is interesting to note that three days after the Mansfield version of the play opened in London, the first Jack the Ripper murder took place. I doubt that this edition of the story will produce such a horrifying coincidence, but I will keep my ears peeled just in case.
Melia Bensusson’s production is fascinating to watch. On a complex set designed by Sara Brown, many mystifying things occur. The basically dark period costumes were created by An-lin Dauber. The dark, moody, and occasionally startling lighting design came from the mind of Evan C. Anderson. Jane Shaw produced the original music and sound design for the play.
Most theatrical and film adaptations of the book added women to what was otherwise a men-only vision of 19th-century London. This play is no different. The character of Elizabeth, who sincerely loves Hyde in spite of his cruelty, seems unique, and it is an intriguing aspect of the story here. Sarah Chalfie’s presentation of her is very interesting and very different from our contemporary women. That Chalfie plays her so well and so believably is a tribute to the acting skills of this formidable actress.
I didn’t rush to see this play. I am glad to have seen it, but it is not one that I would highly suggest you see. There is good acting, as well as some exciting production elements here, but the final sense of the play is that stereotypes have been used to make points that need to be avoided, that the eternal struggle between good and evil is no longer defined, that actors are denied the major opportunity to explore both sides of their characters. What should be exciting and vital theater has been left sobbing on the stage floor as the death of Dr. Jekyll turns into nothing more important than the suicide of a stupid man.
“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” runs through November 3 at Hartford Stage in Hartford, Conn. For information and tickets, visit Hartford Stage’s website or call (860) 527-5151.
