Broadway in Chicago & Kokandy: Jekyll & Hyde

David Moreland and cast

Broadway in Chicago and Kokandy Present JEKYLL AND HYDE Review - Back and More Fiery Than Ever

TLDR: Coming back for a remount with Broadway in Chicago, Kokandy’s production of Jekyll and Hyde is still a must-see for those who didn’t have a chance to see it before and would still be enjoyed by those who did.The original cast reprises their roles with every ounce of passion as they did in the first go-round with the original theatrical designs as well. 

David Moreland and Emily McCormick

The Passion for Jekyll & Hyde Remains Strong

Walking into the Broadway Playhouse on a foggy Wednesday evening, the weather matches the vibe for Jekyll & Hyde as do the audience members donning their best shades of black. Stickers are scattered around the lobby with a blank space for you to fill in how many times you’ve seen the show. It’s clear that audiences have become fervent fans of Kokandy’s production. And now being remounted with Broadway in Chicago, the production still holds the same level of passion and talent from their cast. 

The original cast is back, and it might have been a tall order for them to not only perform eight shows a week but also doing so after an extended original run and playing now for two more months. But this ensemble is up for the task and if it’s possible, their passion for this show has grown. 

Seeing Kevin Webb reprise his role as Jekyll’s lawyer and friend, John, while knowing he’s also starring in Sunday in the Park with George running at the same time proves how dedicated this cast is to this show (and well worth seeing him both).

We didn’t think Quinn Kelch could get anymore creepy as the master of the brothel, Spider, but he seems to have grown more seedy as he scuttles amongst the patrons and then pops up under tables and leers at the working women. 

Both Ava Lane Stovall and Emily McCormick as Lucy and Emma bring the house down in their duets and solo moments. McCormick lets her operatic soprano soar as she sings about her loyalty to Jekyll and will stand by his side through thick and thin. Stovall belts song after song giving us everything from powerful and commanding to soft and vulnerable. Together as they sing “In His Eyes” we see the two of them, though very different on the outside, blend together as they both love one man who sees them for who they are. 

And David Moreland comes back as a powerhouse force and seems more acrobatic and fiery as our leading Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He’s poised and determined as Jekyll as he presents his proposal to the medical board of governors and dances with his fiance at their engagement party. But when Hyde takes over, his motions become larger and more imposing. He strides across the stage to climb the stairs and sneer down at those opposed to him, but then swings himself down from the supporting poles and lands agile as a cat. He still transforms between Jekyll and Hyde seamlessly and has our rapt attention.

The rest of the ensemble delivers the gorgeous score with determination and a ferocity that comes through with every snarl and wicked gleam in their eyes. 

David Moreland and cast

Serving Gothic Glam 

The design elements of Jekyll and Hyde are also ones to feast over from the costumes, to the makeup, to the staging. The original costume designs by Rachel Sypniewski pay homage to the 1800s with brocade fabrics, tophats, and cinched waists. Each character has a unique look about them with makeup and costumes that speaks to their character while also creating a cohesive vision for the entire ensemble. In all blacks and reds, we’re in full alt-goth mode. 

The set designed by Sotirios Livaditis looks like an operating theater and gives our ensemble places to perch and watch the happenings below them, seeing facades break and judging everyone else. Part of that is also built into the choreography designed by Brenda Didier. The cast moves as one to create the energy of the scene, whether it's the hustle and bustle of the London street or echoing Jekyll’s movements as he takes the mind altering potion alone in his laboratory. Even with a minimal set and prop design, we still feel the specific atmosphere created by all these things combined.

David Moreland and cast

The After Party Thoughts

We did see Jekyll and Hyde during its first run at the Chopin Theatre (you can read our initial review here) and I have good news and bad news. The good news - even if you’ve seen the show before, it is still phenomenal and you’ll want to see it again. Which leads me to the bad news, your wallet is not going to be happy because you’ll want to see it again (maybe more than once). 

The only critique I have with the transfer - because of the different seating levels in the Broadway Playhouse vs the Chopin, some of the lighting coming from the stage blinds the first few rows of the audience. But I’d gladly take that if the tradeoff is getting to see our casts’ emotions so up close and personal we can see them shedding actual tears. 

If you couldn’t tell, Kokandy’s Jekyll and Hyde is one of my all time favorite shows, so if anyone asks me what to see, I’m thrilled to tell them go see this show while you can. For those that have seen it before, you already know and don’t need my recommendation. So for those that are looking for a show that fits the Halloween season, those that would love a goth-rock musical, or those that are looking for a musical performed by a passionate and talented cast, Jekyll & Hyde is the one for you.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Joe Giovannetti and cast

When

Now through November 8, 2026

Where

Broadway Playhouse

175 E. Chestnut St. 

Chicago, IL 60611

Runtime: 2hrs 30min, including an intermission

Tickets

$45+

Tickets can be purchased through the box office by calling (312)977-1710 or through the Broadway in Chicago website

Photos

Amy Boyle Photography

Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago

Ava Lane Stovall with (left to right) Quinn Kelch and Ismael Garcia and (below) Quinn Simmons

CAST

David Moreland (Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde)

Ava Lane Stovall (Lucy Harris)

Emily McCormick (Emma Carew)

Jake Elkins (Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde Alternate)

Dani Pike (Lucy Harris Alternate)

Nathan Calaranan (Sir Danvers Carew)

Ismael García (Lord Savage)

Joe Giovannetti (Gabriel John Utterson)

Jon Parker Jackson (Bishop of Basingstoke)

Quinn Kelch (Simon Stride / Spider)

Quinn Rigg (General Lord Glossop / Bisset)

Gabby Sauceda-Koziol (Sir Archibold Proops)

Quinn Simmons (Nellie / Poole)

Maiko Terazawa (Lady Beaconsfield)

Kevin Webb (Gabriel John Utterson)

Jeffrey Gougis Jr (Understudy Sir Danvers Carew / Gabriel John Utterson)

Emily Ling Mei (Understudy Emma Carew)

Anna Seibert (Understudy Lucy Harris)

Andrew Lund (Swing)

Halli Morgan (Swing)

Caitlin Preuss (Swing)

Jaxson Smith (Swing)

David Moreland and cast

CREATIVE

Steve Cuden & Frank Wildhorn (Conceived for the Stage)

Leslie Bricusse (Book & Lyrics)

Frank Wildhorn (Music)

Kim Scharnberg (Orchestrations)

Jason Howland (Arrangements)

Derek Van Barham (Director)

Nick Sula (Music Director)

Brenda Didier (Choreographer)

Kirsten Baity (Intimacy Director)

Charlie Baker (Violence Director)

Syd Genco (Make-up Design)

Forrest Gregor (Associate Sound Design)

Carrie Hardin (Dialect Coach)

Sotirios Livaditis (Scenic Design) 

G “Max” Maxin IV (Lighting Design)

Nicholas Reinhart (Production Manager)

Kendyl Meyer (Assistant Production Manager)

Matt Reich (Sound Design)

Shane Roberie (Casting Director)

Keith Ryan (Hair and Wig Design)

Chris Stopka (Technical Director) 

Rachel Sypniewski (Costume Design)

Cameron Turner (Assistant Choreographer)