A 1990 musical based on the 1886 novella by Robert Louis Stevenson is a jaw dropping production from Kokandy presented at the Chopin Theater. The story of a doctor who seeks to find the other side of himself….is he seeking another personality or just part of who he is in the first place?

Set in the intimate setting of Chopin’s mainstage theater (seating about 130) yet complete with a 15 piece orchestra and voices that will knock your socks off! The score by Leslie Bricusse and Frank Wildhorn offers Broadway classics including “Take me as I am;” “This is the Moment;” and “Someone Like You.”

Joining in the conversation is Jekyll & Hyde himself, David Moreland (Cruel Intentions and American Psycho), Lucy Harris played by Ava Lane Stovall (Alice by Heart) in her breakout role and as Emma Carew, Emily McCormick (making her Kokandy debut). Also joining is director Derek Van Barham.

Truly a not to be missed production, Jekyll & Hyde is playing through January 10^th, 2026 and tickets can be purchased at: www.KokandyProductions.com

REVIEW

Jekyll and Hyde by Kokandy Productions at the Chopin Theatre
By:

Paul Lisnek, Behind the Curtain, WGN+/WGNRadio.com
****/4

This Kokandy production of Jekyll and Hyde undeniably matches if not exceeds any national tour of this show which likely ran in much larger venues. It is the intimacy of this production with full production values that makes this an unparalleled experience.

Derek Van Barham has broken the barriers of how a powerful production can blow the roof off of a small theater with the impact of a full orchestra and incredible cast.

Barham’s creation is not just true to a fine Broadway quality production but likely exceeds any previous efforts to mount this difficult and complex show. It has heart and vision and yet a sense of simplicity in its set.

David Moreland (Cruel Intentions; American Psycho) and Ava Stovall (Alice by Heart) have a larger than life presence which is stunning and jaw dropping. They slay the Leslie Bricusse/Frank Wildhorn score which led to ovations after several numbers.

Moreland’s portrayal of Jekyll and Hyde is intense and chilling. Stovall’s break out role assures we will see this leading actor in many shows to come.

How Barham crafted a full production with essentially no props except for a table and yet creates the appearance of surgical procedures, character transformations and location changes are among the wonderous feats of this production.

The voices of the ensemble blended like a finely tuned chorus…each present in character and persona even when just there to dress the atmosphere of the scene.

But it was the mood and atmosphere that this production creates…perfect lighting and an orchestra that equaled any downtown production. That is saying a lot for a show mounted in a humble space with limited stage, but Van Barham makes it work to perfection.

I couldn’t wait to tell people about this production and urge them to make their way to the Chopin Theatre by December 21st to see this unforgettable production.

Recent Posts

Paul Lisnek Behind the Curtain

Anthony Rapp Dec 17-20th at Lookingglass Theatre!

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}</svg>

NYT’s Elaine Sciolino love letter to the Louvre

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}</svg>

Uptown Theater: Chicago treasure that needs to be saved!

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}</svg>

Teatro Zinzanni runs through Spring, 2026!

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}</svg>

Jekyll & Hyde from Kokandy at Chopin Theater until January 10th

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">.cls-7{fill:#fff;fill-rule:evenodd}</svg>

Click for more </