Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Firehouse Theatre Company: Oct 5 – Nov 3

                     

             Left to right: Johanna Jaquith, Clint Heyn, Nils Swanson, Sam Garvin and Chris Coughlin

     Chilly, creepy and a very fun evening of theater, Firehouse Theatre Company’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” is a fine community theatre production.

     This reviewer is always interested in seeing a new play, original or adaptation by playwright Jeffrey Hatcher. His adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale is fascinating. For years readers and theatergoers attending adaptations of this work have believed that the story penned by Stevenson is about a person who has two sides described in terms of a light and dark shadow. The difference in Hatcher’s adaptation is that we are given to believe that the dark shadow of Dr. Henry Jekyll is made up of multiple personalities or possessions if you will.

     Nils Swanson is the perfect casting for the brooding presence of Dr. Henry Jekyll. The trajectory of Swanson’s career in the theatre has almost always dealt with illuminating the dark shadow of the soul. Over the years he has been seen in and Don Becker’s “Lucifer Tonight,” Lida Project’s “Merchant of Auschwitz” and more recently “True West” at The Denver Victorian Playhouse.

     In this production director Brian Brooks casts the four possessing entities described by Hatcher with a young cast: Chris Coughlin, Clint Heyn, Sam Garvin and Johanna Jaquith.

     Sara Coughlin’s very evocative musical choices leads us into the show as well as bridging the scenes in auditory terms.

    Jeff Jesmer’s scenic design is done in muted colors with a muddy vortex of spiraling energy that’s presented upon the floor of the playing space.

           Hatcher’s adaptation, presented here in its regional premier, may not be what one might describe as a polished production. Nevertheless... Hatcher's approach to the material is fascinating.

          Worth a peek.

Oct 5 – Nov 3

Fri./Sat. at 7:30 p.m.; Sun. October 15 and 29 at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20 Adult / $18 Student & Seniors

John Hand Theater/Colorado Free University
7653 East First Place, Denver, CO

Reservations at 303-562-3232

www.firehousetheatercompany.com Marlowe's Musings

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