October 17, 2014

‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ is in time for Halloween

by Vincent Rhomberg

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Department of Theater brings a special production to the stage in time to set the Halloween mood.  “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” will play at the C. H. Moe Theater in the Communications Building, Thursday Oct. 23 through Oct. 26. 

This Jeffrey Hatcher adaptation of the famous Robert Louis Stevenson novel explores an individual’s struggle with good and evil. 

“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23-25, and at 2 p.m. Oct. 26. There will be a free pre-show lecture before the Sunday performance at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 for the public and $6 for students. Advance tickets are available Monday through Friday, from noon to 5 p.m., at the McLeod Theater Box Office, by phone at 618/453-6000, or online at theater.siu.edu.

Tickets are available at the door beginning one hour before each performance. Theater seating is limited and all seating is general admission. 

An ensemble of six actors plays 32 characters in this riveting and terrifying story. Jack Russell Rose of Murphysboro, a freshman exploratory student, plays Dr. Jekyll. Four actors play Mr. Hyde: Michael Wilson, a senior theater major from Highland Park; Richard Lisenby a graduate student majoring in music from Dothan, Ala.; Mark Gokel, a senior majoring in theater from Chesterfield, Mo., and Olivia Gordon, a sophomore majoring in communication studies, from Anna. Chloe Leos, a freshman majoring in theater from San Antonio, Texas, is Elizabeth, the object of Mr. Hyde’s desire. 

Graduate student Patrick McGregor II, a theater major, directs this production. 

Graduate student Logan Reagan designed the evocative sets and lighting for this glimpse at mankind’s shadow. Department of Theater faculty member Wendi R. Zea designed the Victorian-era costumes. Department of Theater Chair J. Thomas Kidd choreographed the fight scenes. New faculty member Thomas Fagerholm created the surround-sound effects.