Kokandy Productions: Jekyll & Hyde
David Moreland and the cast of Jekyll & Hyde
Kokandy Productions Presents JEKYLL & HYDE Review - A Gothic, BDSM, Multiple Personality Musical
TLDR: The stunning vocals and acting performances from the cast make Kokandy’s production of Jekyll & Hyde a must see performance for musical and good theatre lovers alike. Set in an operating theater, the production is exactly what we need this Halloween season and a perfect choice for a fall show.
The cast of Jekyll & Hyde
The Experiment Awaits at Kokandy
Entering the Chopin Theatre, we first see the set of a multi-level, half circle stage with incandescent bulbs lighting the walls. A lone table sits in the center. The second level of the stage has railings making it the perfect area to perch and watch what’s happening below. One by one the cast enters from the top of the stage through the center opening and takes their positions around the circle. As the overture concludes, they each rise up with their hands raised in that quintessential “don’t touch me, I’m sterile” position as they prepare to begin the show with medical precision.
For musicals, it can always be a balance of expectation vs reality when a show has been a full scale Broadway production and then brought to a smaller, regional stage. However, Kokandy has upped the ante in getting a full fifteen piece orchestra for Jekyll & Hyde. And in this writer’s opinion, it is so worth it. The score is beautiful on its own, but the sound with every section fully represented just fills the theatre and makes it feel like a full scale production.
Dressing The Part
All the other elements heighten this show as well. The costume design by Rachel Spniewski feels like a gothic, BDSM fashion collection walking the runway - every character has a completely unique look but they’re all cohesive. One gives off Nero from The Matrix. Another looks like they have a preference for bondage and rope play. One looks like her design is an homage to Helena Bonham Carter.
Each costume has black and red running through it adding to the production’s gothic air along with crazy amounts of texture and different fabrics. Even the orchestra has deviated from the traditional black on black and is dressed in medical scrubs. Working with the costumes, the make-up design by Syd Genco also has everyone in a similar style with dark and heavy elements but each one has their own looks.
David Moreland and Kevin Webb
Transforming Before Our Eyes
While Kokandy has assembled an all star cast, this review would be ten times longer trying to write about each and every actor’s performance in detail. Suffice it to say, they all are deep into their characters to deliver gripping performances that are almost diabolically unhinged and creepy in the best way. When it comes to creating those multi-faceted characters that take us on a full arc from beginning to end, both David Moreland and Ava Lane Stovall give their all as Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde and Lucy
Stovall as Lucy comes out commanding the stage during her first number “Bring On The Men.” Wearing a bustier and fishnets and accompanied by her fellow working girls, they have the entire brothel drooling after them. But going deeper past the confident facade, Stovall shows us every facet of Lucy on her journey through the show. As she experiences kindness from Dr. Jekyll, we feel her longing for someone to see her and love her. We are scared right along with her as she trembles before Mr. Hyde, his hands replicating the bruises on her arm and neck night after night when he comes to see her. And when it’s time for her 11 o’clock number “A New Life,” she brings the house down with a full two minutes of applause.
And of course, I’d be remiss not to paint a picture of the leading man’s performance. Moreland is astounding as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He’s endearing as Dr. Jekyll as he pleads his case to the medical board, wanting to change the world for good and rid his fellow man of their evil sides. He shows love and care for those around him, from his fiance, to his best friend, to the trod upon people of London. The spotlight shines behind him during “This Is The Moment” as he prepares his experiment full of optimism and hope and we believe in his experiments for the good of mankind.
As Mr. Hyde viciously fights to break free to come to the surface, the lights change from red to green (lighting design by G “Max” Maxin IV). Moreland’s entire demeanor changes. His hair becomes unruly, he peers up from underneath his eyebrows and smiles a wicked grin.Though we know it’s the same actor, Moreland could be two different people as he becomes positively evil. He switches back and forth so seamlessly, sometimes multiple times over the course of a song becoming one of those jaw dropping moments also deserving of minutes of applause for how much he gives to the performance.
Ava Lane Stovall and David Moreland
The After Party Thoughts
Very few shows have been able to make my jaw drop and render me speechless. But picture after the first act and the lights came up for intermission, my face was absolutely gobsmacked as I turned towards my fellow After Party members to see if they were also feeling the same. After experiencing the first act I couldn’t wait to return for the second and it was just as amazing. Prepare to be blown away by just the sheer amount of talent that is coming from this orchestra, cast, and design team.
If you’re a fan of the Jekyll & Hyde musical and want to see it onstage, Kokandy’s production would be an excellent one to see. If you’re not familiar with the show but are just a fan of well done musicals that fit the spooky/fall season, this would also be a good fit for you.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Ava Lane Stovall, Ismael Garcia and Quinn Simmons
When
Now through January 10, 2026
Where
The Chopin Theatre
1543 W Division St.
Chicago, IL 60642
Runtime: 2hrs 30min, including intermission
Tickets
$33+
Tickets can be purchased through the Kokandy Productions website
Photos
Evan Hanover
Find Allie and The After Party featured on Theatre in Chicago
Maiko Terazawa and David Moreland
CAST
Nathan Calaranan (Sir Danvers Carew)
Ismael Garcia (Lord Savage)
Jon Parker Jackson (Bishop of Basingstoke)
Quinn Kelch (Simon Stride)
Emily McCormick (Emma Carew)
David Moreland (Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde)
Quinn Rigg (General Lord Glossop)
Gabby Sauceda-Koziol (Sir Archibold Proops)
Quinn Simmons (Poole)
Ava Lane Stovall (Lucy Harris)
Maiko Terazawa (Lady Beaconsfield)
Kevin Webb (Gabriel John Utterson)
Jeffrey Gougis Jr (Swing)
Emily Ling Mei (Swing)
Caitlin Preuss (Swing)
Anna Seibert (Swing)
Jaxson Smith (Swing)
Kelan M. Smith (Swing)
Emily McCormick with (back, l to r) Maiko Terazawa. Nathan Calaranan and Quinn Kelch
CREATIVE
Frank Wildhorn & Steve Cuden (Adapters)
Leslie Bricusse (Book and Lyrics)
Frank Wildhorn (Music)
Derek Van Barham (Director)
Nick Sula (Music Director)
Brenda Didier (Choreographer)
Yasmeen Abiad (Assistant Stage Manager)
Kirsten Baity (Intimacy Director)
Charlie Baker (Violence Director)
Shelby Burgus (Stage Manager)
Christine Burquest (A2)
Syd Genco (Make-up Design)
Forrest Gregor (Associate Sound Design)
Carrie Hardin (Dialect Coach)
Hannah Kwak (A1)
Sotirios Livaditis (Scenic Design)
G “Max” Maxin IV (Lighting Design)
Jackson Mikkelsen (Lead Electrician)
Kendyl Meyer (Assistant Production Manager)
Matt Reich (Sound Design)
Nicholas Reinhart (Production Manager)
Shane Roberie (Casting Director)
Evelyn Ryan (Assistant Conductor)
Keith Ryan (Hair and Wig Design)
Chris Stopka (Technical Director)
Rachel Sypniewski (Costume Design)
Cameron Turner (Assistant Choreographer)
Nick Sula (Conductor)
Evelyn Ryan (Keyboard)
Ariana Miles (Keyboard)
Samuel Stein (Keyboard)
Kimberly Lawson (Violin 1)
Hyacinth Percell (Violin 2)
Benjamin Duke (Viola)
Rachel Schuldt (Cello)
Suzanne Hannau (Flute / Alto Flute)
Heather Winters (Oboe / English Horn)
Sophie Creutz (Clarinet / Saxophone / Bass Clarinet)
Fiona Chisholm (French Horn)
Michael Leavens (Trumpet)
Matt Flanagan (Trombone)
Reid Gowan (Bass)
Noel Streacker (Percussion)