CIU Thespians present: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
November 12, 2024
By Shoshannah Crompton, CIU Student Writer
СƵ presents the theatre-adaptedproductionoftheclassic psychologicalthriller “TheStrange CaseofDr.JekyllandMr.Hyde” performed by CIU’stheateranddramaclub,theThespians.
Written originally asanovellaby Robert LouisStevenson, playwrightNoah Smith adapted thestory into a playwithafullcastofcharactersandadeeper focusonthecharacterofDr.Jekyll/Mr.Hydeto furtherillustratetheconceptofthegoodsideandthebadsideatwarwithin aperson.
The director is senior NathanaelLaSalvia, whosays theaudience will be “alittle bitsurprisedbytheacting, especiallywithHyde.”
“Theadaptationtakes alittlemoreliberty inbeingmoreexplicitaboutsomeoftheimplicationsofwhatHydeactually does,” La Salvia added.
Seniorand StudentBody PresidentJoelBaumgarten, plays the lead character and calls the experience, “awild,crazy,intense ride.”Baumgartenhasbeeninseveralof the Thespian’sproductionsbutthisishisfirsttimebeing the lead roleinashow.
“(It)isaverydifferent experiencesoI’vereallyenjoyed gettingtohavemoreresponsibilityasastage actor,” Baumgarten said.
Elin Johnson, a senior who plays theroleofMaid says she “loved getting to know cast members and have laughs together” and has “enjoyed the versatility of (her) role and all that entails.”
She advises that the audience “should expect somethingwe’ve neverreallydonebefore.”
“Expecttoreally divedeepintoyourselfandhavea consciousnessonthedecisions thatyoumake,” Johnson added.
FreshmanLydiaMalec,playing theroleofHelenO'Neill agrees saying the production “getsmoreand moreintensesoenjoythe!”
TheshowrunsNov.15-17; on FridayandSaturday at7p.m.andonSunday at3p.m.TheshowwillbeheldinHokeAuditoriumandticketsaresoldat the door.
The cast has been working hard for the entirety of the semester, practicing four nights a week for two months.
Thecastandcrewareasfollows:
Cast:
Dr.Jekyll/Mr.Hyde:JoelBaumgarten
Dr. HastieLanyon/Sam:JamieGamble
Mr.Gabriel JohnUtterson:NathanBrickey
Richard Enfield: Jack Horchler
HelenO'Neill: LydiaMalec
Cybel: Anna Joy Tuls
Maid: Elin Johnson
Butler: Riley Jones
Poole/Detective:DenisKnutzen
Valerie/Sergeant:VirginiaShorts
Flower Girl: Bekka Kohlmeyer
Father: Phillip Melson
Directional Team:
Nathanael La Salvia (Director)
PhillipMelson(AssistantDirector)
SammyScardino(Stage Manager)
Stage Crew:
Maya Speece
ElizabethJones
Faith Gilbert
Louis French
Lighting and Sound:
Mac Knight
XavierDerby
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