Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical
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Movie Reviews of Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical
Movie Review: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the musical with David Hasseloff
Summary: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed watching Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde the musical with David Hasseloff. I was truly surprised at how great David Hasseloff performance was as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Not only was he amazing to watch but the rest of the cast was also a pleasure to watch.Movie Review: The performance is pretty good; the problem is the vehicle.
Summary: 3 Stars
Despite much negative opinion, this performance is in many respects not half-bad. I must confess that a good deal of negative criticism focussed on David Hasselhoff seems a lot more like grudge fulfillment. Still, others have turned in better performances. The question is, performances of what? Aye, there's the rub.
"Jekyll and Hyde" occupies the musical and dramatic world of "Phantom of the Opera" and "Sweeney Todd" - without being anywhere as good as either. Dramatically, although the musical follows a fairly single-minded and coherent line, it seems jumpy and fragmented because of the jumpy and fragmented changes of sets. We might go over the plot at this point - except that here we have classic of English literature which ought to be familiar to every person who gets into high school. If you haven't read Stevenson's tale, go read it and don't expect a Cliff's Notes version of it here.
Musically, "Jekyll and Hyde" is, in a word, boring. The music gropes in vain to achieve melody but in every instance fall short to one degree or another. The notes meander within traditional tonality, but fail to leave a lasting impression. That some of the numbers achieved a fleeting popularity is more a tribute to marketing than to any inherent musicality. No amount of belting or breathless intensity can give these tuneless tunes any more than an underachieved dramatic impact.
It's not an uncommon opinion that the problem with this version of the musical is that it stars David Hasselhoff. This is, to a large extent, a bum rap. I will admit that comparing the sound track here with the CD of the original Broadway production (starring Robert Cuccioli), there's no doubt that the original version is more satisfying. That doesn't mean that Hasselhoff doesn't turn in a solid performance - he does - nor that he doesn't have moments of chewing up the scenery. In fact, in many respects, Hasselhoff is the best thing about the whole production.
The star invests his rle(s) with sincerity and authenticity. I suspect this gets past some viewers who let themselves get distracted by surfboards and talking cars. This part has been better played and will be better played, but Hasselhoff gives the audience their money's worth nonetheless. He clearly delineates Hyde from Jekyll, although his bag of tricks is rather limited - he sometimes manages a really chilling manic look to Hyde, but not as often as he should. Cuccioli's command of his voice serves him sell in this regard, but Hasselhoff's voice shows little difference between his 2 characters. His singing voice, as it happens, isn't bad. It's certainly up to the singing-in-the-shower sort of voice that we often hear in American musicals.
Hasselhoff's part dominates the musical, so that all the other characters are relatively minor. They are, however, played professionally in all cases, giving Hasselhoff a firm backing. I don't see, however, any one performer to single out as being anything but good-but-not-great.
I have already alluded to the physical presentation of the production. The many sets tend toward darkness rather than brightness. As a continuing factor, this becomes dreary. One wonders why we didn't start with well-lighted sets and gradually move toward darker ones. In addition to the less-than-useful dimness, the frequent set changes make the musical seem fidgety. Fortunately, the musical itself shows a single-minded devotion to its story line and manages - barely - to preserve a sense of unity and linear development.
On the whole, "Jekyll and Hyde" is entertaining on one hand and a bit of a chore to watch on the other. It tries very hard to ingratiate itself, succeeds in part, but in the end fails owing to the grisly nature of its development and ending. Nonetheless, it's a fine effort and worth seeing. Even the flaws are instructive.
Movie Review: A Jekyll & Hyde which failed to Transform!!
Summary: 3 Stars
I was so looking forward to getting this DVD of the show that I had so enjoyed the concept album of. I ordered it in anticipation and it was swiftly delivered to me in England.
A promising start to the presentation with a little SFX to set the tone of the show. This then, after the prologue, descended all too rapidly into mediocrity rather than the spectacular. The sense of scale and epic quality was sadly lost and the small company seemed at times unconvincing and almost timid in their delivery.
A British literary classic was marred by a little too much Americanisation. I will undoubtedly be flayed alive by the American public for saying this, but I have to speak as I find and I am a pompous Brit after all. Again, the International Cast concept album remained faithful to the genre and country of vocal origin of the novel.
David Hasselhoff tried his very best with the complicated role of both Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. At times however he did show true stage presence with some excellent acting, but he was hopelessly miscast and simply did not have the vocal talent to back it up.
Billy Flynn in Chicago is one thing, but the diversity needed for this performance in both vocality, pitch and change of persona was unfortunately lacking and sometimes cringe-worthy. At times he spent too much time posturing Baywatch-style.
The production was not helped with the mysterious removal of two key and fantastically written 'Jekyll/Hyde' songs: 'I NEED TO KNOW' and 'THE WORLD HAS GONE INSANE' which were again in the original concept album.
You may have now guessed that I am a big fan of the Concept Album, starring the Australian ANTHONY WARLOW, who must be one of, if not THE greatest musical theatre star alive and performing today. Check out the DVD's: THE MAIN EVENT, PATIENCE, HMS PINNAFORE and the CD's: BEST OF ACT ONE, CENTRE STAGE and ON THE BOARD'S. You will NOT be disappointed.
Indeed his return to the lead role of the PHANTOM of the OPERA in MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA due in 2007 has caused a murmur of unparalelled excitement in the theatre world. It was in this show that he rivalled, if not exceeded MICHAEL CRAWFORD in the characterisation of the lead role. This reviewer has been fortunate to have seen both.
The show is not a total loss however with excellent turns by stage and screen veteran BARRIE INGHAM as 'SIR DANVERS' COLEEN SEXTON as 'LUCY' and ANDREA RIVETTE as 'EMMA'. GEORGE MERRITT however was slightly disappointing as 'UTTERSON' who seemed to sing and talk through the whole performance with a plum in his mouth, and was at times barely audible or verbaly understandable.
However, as with all reviews, you really need to judge the show for yourself as this is only the personal opinion of this individual. You may indeed find that without my rose-tinted spectacles and the benefit of not having heard or seen the show before, that you enjoy this production in a whole different light. Then I urge you to also leave your review on this site. That's the infinate beauty of personal preference and opinion.
KEVIN W. HESSELL
DORSET
U.K.
Movie Review: Disappointed
Summary: 2 Stars
Some of the voices in this production are wonderful; Hasselhoff's, unfortunately, is shaky and thin. But what really disappointed me was the insipidity of the words, melodies, and staging. This musical does not begin to compare with other Broadway shows. I'd rather watch Les Mis again and love it than wince through another viewing of Jekyll.Movie Review: BEWARE: Hasselhoff's performance may cause vicarious embarassment.
Summary: 1 Stars
The production value and quality of this DVD is as good as you will find for this genre. This is one of those shows that requires great performances to pull it off. Unfortunately Mr. Hasselhoff is unable to deliver the type of performance necessary to make this show work. If you saw this show on Broadway (like I did - twice) with the original cast (Cuccioli, Evans, Eder, Noll), then you know exactly what I mean. They made this show the hit it was. What a shame that they record Broadway Shows for perpetuity not with the original and usually BEST cast - but with the last and usually WEAKEST cast. Sexton and Rivette are much stronger than Hasselhoff, but not enough to compensate for his profound shortcomings. Why wouldn't they call back the original cast just for the recording of this video? Why? Linda Eder's husband (Frank Wildhorn) wrote the show. Why wouldn't he want his wife's performance captured on video? Perhaps this recording was part of Hasselhoff's agreement to do the show in the first place? Lucky for us. Not.
I anxiously await for the day when Broadway Hits are captured on video where the production value and performances reach equal perfection. I only hope I live to see that day.