BrightSide Theatre has announced that it will perform the long-running hit Broadway musical JEKYLL AND HYDE in a concert presentation at North Central College’s Madden Hall, for two weekends in January.
The lush and romantic score with music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse features power ballads like “This is the Moment” and “Someone Like You” as well as comic numbers including “Bring On the Men.” This thrilling music will be sung by a cast of 16 that will be accompanied by a 10-piece orchestra. De Haddad will direct, guiding the cast through Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story of a scientist who develops a potion giving him a second personality by unleashing his evil nature and turning him at times into a serial killer.
Phil Videckis will be Music Director. Also on the production team are Tim Elliott (Sound Mixer) and Kristin Ripoli (Stage Manager). The press performance is Friday, January 17 at 7:30 pm.
Appearing as Jekyll and Hyde will be Gerald Kelel of Chicago, whose previous roles with BrightSide Theatre include Count Carl Magnus in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Professor Harold Hill in THE MUSIC MAN, Gary Lejeune in NOISES OFF, Fredrick Graham in KISS ME KATE, and Don Lockwood in SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. Julie Kornak of Naperville, whose many roles with BrightSide Theatre include Charlotte in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Amalia in SHE LOVES ME, Tanya in MAMMA MIA!, Claudia in NINE IN CONCERT, and Francesca in THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, will play Jekyll’s fiancée Emma Carew. Rachel Carreras, also of Naperville, will make her BST debut as the prostitute Lucy who comes to know both Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Some of Carrera’s recent credits include CINDERELLA (Marie) at Metropolis PAC; and HONKY TONK ANGELS (Angela), INTO THE WOODS (The Witch), THE MUSIC MAN (Mrs. Squires), I DO! I DO! (Agnes), SOMETHING ROTTEN (Bea Bottom), and SPRING AWAKENING (Wendla).
L-R: Gerald Ketel, Julie Kornak, Rachel Carreras.
The additional cast members, all of whom will perform in the ensemble as well as playing individual roles, will include Russell Badalamenti (Hoffman Estates, “Gabriel John Utterson”), Stan Austin (Winfield, “Sir Danvers Carew”), Sean Rhead (Tinley Park, “Simon Stride”), Julie Bayer (Batavia, “Lady Beaconsfield”), Brady McNeil (Wheaton, “The Bishop of Basingstoke”), Grey Sindaco (Chicago, “Lord Savage” and “Male Customer”), Nicholas J. Grenias (“Lemont” and “General Lord Glossop”), Jay White (Chicago, “Sir Archibald Proops”), Meghan Kessel (Chicago, “Nellie” and u/s “Lucy”), John Salamone (“Shorewood,” and “Spider”), Amy Steele (Naperville, “Bisset” and u/s “Emma”), Molly Bremer (Chicago), and Sarah Conrad (Oswego).
JEKYLL AND HYDE IN CONCERT is the second production of BrightSide Theatre’s 2024-25 season, its 13th. In honor of the superstitions surrounding the number 13, the season is titled “Spells and Superstitions,” and its four productions will each enter, in varying ways, supernatural or magical realms. The season opened in October with BST’s highly acclaimed production of DRACULA. JEKYLL AND HYDE IN CONCERT will be followed in April and May with Shakespeare’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. In June, BST will have “Magic to Do” with their production of PIPPIN.
JEKYLL AND HYDE IN CONCERT will be performed Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm from January 17 through 26, 2025. Performances will be in the Madden Theatre, North Central College, 171 Chicago Avenue, Naperville. Tickets are $37.00 for adults and $32.00 for students and seniors. Tickets are on sale now at www.BrightSidetheatre.com or by phone at 630-447-TIXS (8497).
JEKYLL AND HYDE IN CONCERT
Conceived for the stage by Frank Wildhorn and Steve Cuden
Music by Frank Wildhorn, Book and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
Directed by De Haddad
Musical Direction by Phil Videckis
January 17-26, 2025
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm.
Press Opening Friday, January 17 at 7:30 pm
Madden Theatre
North Central College, 171 Chicago Ave. in Naperville
Tickets $32 - $37, available at www.BrightSideTheatre.com or at 630-447-TIXS (8497)
A concert presentation of the musical based on Robert Louis Stevensons’s classic story of an epic struggle between good and evil, performed by a cast of 16 and a ten-piece orchestra. JEKYLL AND HYDE is an evocative tale of two men – one, a doctor, passionate and romantic; the other, a terrifying madman; and two women – one, beautiful and trusting; the other, beautiful, but trusting only herself. Both women are in love with the same man and both are unaware of his dark secret. A devoted man of science, Dr. Henry Jekyll is driven to find a chemical breakthrough that can solve some of mankind's most challenging medical dilemmas. Rebuffed by the powers that be, he decides to make himself the subject of his own experimental treatments, accidentally unleashing his inner demons along with the man that the world would come to know as Mr. Hyde.
BIOS
De Haddad (Director) has been directing in and around the western suburbs for nearly two decades. Graduating with a BFA in Musical Theater from Millikin University, De brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the stage. Notable directing credits include SPAMALOT, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, SHE KILLS MONSTERS, and THE HOBBIT. At BrightSide, De has directed hits like MEAN GIRLS, JR., SISTER ACT, JR., THE LION KING, JR., and FINDING NEMO, JR. She also serves as BrightSide Theatre's Youth Project Education Manager.
Frank Wildhorn (Composer) Multi-Grammy, Tony, and Emmy Award-nominated composer/producer Frank Wildhorn's works span the worlds of popular, theatrical and classical music. In 1999, Wildhorn became the first American composer in 22 years to have three shows running simultaneously on Broadway: JEKYLL & HYDE, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL and THE CIVIL WAR (Tony Award nominated for Best Score). Also for Broadway: DRACULA, VICTOR/VICTORIA, WONDERLAND, BONNIE & CLYDE (Tony Award nominated for Best Score), and the 2013 revival of JEKYLL & HYDE.
Leslie Bricusse (Bookwriter and Lyricist) Bricusse’s stage musicals included STOP THE WORLD – I WANT TO GET OFF, THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT, PICKWICK, HARVEY, THE GOOD OLD BAD OLD DAYS, ONE SHINING MOMENT, SHERLOCK HOLMES - THE MUSICAL, VICTOR/VICTORIA, DOCTOR DOLITTLE and JEKYLL & HYDE. He wrote songs and/or screenplays for such films as DOCTOR DOLITTLE; SCROOGE; WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY; GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS; VICTOR/VICTORIA; SUNDAY LOVERS; SANTA CLAUS; PETER PAN; BABES IN TOYLAND; HOME ALONE; HOOK and TOM & JERRY - THE MOVIE.
Jeffrey Cass (Artistic Director) is a Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee and has successfully directed over 30 Productions for BrightSide Theatre, most recently CHESS IN CONCERT, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and GYPSY. He also played “Edna” in BST’s production of HAIRSPRAY. He holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Roosevelt University. He previously served as the Producing Director for Circle Theatre where he directed eight productions, including THE WHO’S TOMMY (6 Joseph Jefferson Nominations including Best Musical and Best Director).
ABOUT BRIGHTSIDE THEATRE
BrightSide Theatre (Jeffrey Cass, Artistic Director and Julie Ann Kornak, Executive Director) is committed to Enlighten, Educate, and Entertain through comedies and inspirational stories from across the globe. A unique blend of award-winners, premieres, modern works and timeless classics meant to reflect upon and inform our community inhabit BrightSide’s stage. For more information on BrightSide Theatre, please visit www.BrightSidetheatre.com.