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CIU Thespians present: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The cast and crew of "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (Photo by Sarah Kate Merrill, CIU Student Photographer)

November 12, 2024

By Shoshannah Crompton, CIU Student Writer

ǿ޴ý presents the theatre-adaptedproductionoftheclassic psychologicalthriller “TheStrange CaseofDr.JekyllandMr.Hydeperformed by CIU’stheateranddramaclub,theThespians.

Written originally asanovellaby Robert LouisStevenson, playwrightNoah Smith adapted thestory into a playwithafullcastofcharactersandadeeper focusonthecharacterofDr.Jekyll/Mr.Hydeto furtherillustratetheconceptofthegoodsideandthebadsideatwarwithin aperson.

The director is senior NathanaelLaSalvia, whosays theaudience will be “alittle bitsurprisedbytheacting, especiallywithHyde.”

“Theadaptationtakes alittlemoreliberty inbeingmoreexplicitaboutsomeoftheimplicationsofwhatHydeactually does,” La Salvia added.

Seniorand StudentBody PresidentJoelBaumgarten, plays the lead character and calls the experience, “awild,crazy,intense ride.”Baumgartenhasbeeninseveralof the Thespian’sproductionsbutthisishisfirsttimebeing the lead roleinashow.

“(It)isaverydifferent experiencesoI’vereallyenjoyed gettingtohavemoreresponsibilityasastage actor,” Baumgarten said.

Elin Johnson, a senior who plays theroleofMaid says she “loved getting to know cast members and have laughs together” and has “enjoyed the versatility of (her) role and all that entails.”

She advises that the audience “should expect somethingwe’ve neverreallydonebefore.”

“Expecttoreally divedeepintoyourselfandhavea consciousnessonthedecisions thatyoumake,” Johnson added.

FreshmanLydiaMalec,playing theroleofHelenO'Neill agrees saying the production “getsmoreand moreintensesoenjoythe!”

TheshowrunsNov.15-17; on FridayandSaturday at7p.m.andonSunday at3p.m.TheshowwillbeheldinHokeAuditoriumandticketsaresoldat the door.

The cast has been working hard for the entirety of the semester, practicing four nights a week for two months.

Thecastandcrewareasfollows:

Cast:

Dr.Jekyll/Mr.Hyde:JoelBaumgarten

Dr. HastieLanyon/Sam:JamieGamble

Mr.Gabriel JohnUtterson:NathanBrickey

Richard Enfield: Jack Horchler

HelenO'Neill: LydiaMalec

Cybel: Anna Joy Tuls

Maid: Elin Johnson

Butler: Riley Jones

Poole/Detective:DenisKnutzen

Valerie/Sergeant:VirginiaShorts

Flower Girl: Bekka Kohlmeyer

Father: Phillip Melson

Directional Team:

Nathanael La Salvia (Director)

PhillipMelson(AssistantDirector)

SammyScardino(Stage Manager)

Stage Crew:

Maya Speece

ElizabethJones

Faith Gilbert

Louis French

Lighting and Sound:

Mac Knight

XavierDerby

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