August 18, 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Joshua Erichsen

330.453.7619 ext 501

 

THE PLAYERS GUILD IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE

THE 2015-2016 SEASON OPENER,  JEKYLL & HYDE THE MUSICAL

 

The Players Guild Theatre and The R.G.Smith Company proudly announce the 2015-2016 season opening musical, JEKYLL & HYDE. 

 

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic thriller, Jekyll & Hyde is the gripping tale of a brilliant mind gone horrifically awry, set to a powerful pop-rock score by Frank Wildhorn with book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. In an attempt to cure his ailing father’s mental illness by separating “good” from “evil” in the human personality, talented physician Dr. Jekyll inadvertently creates an alternate personality of pure evil, dubbed Mr. Hyde, who wreaks murderous havoc on the city of London. As his fiancée Emma grows increasingly fearful for her betrothed, a prostitute, Lucy, finds herself dangerously involved with both the doctor and his alter ego. Struggling to control Hyde before he takes over for good, Jekyll must race to find a cure for the demon he has created in his own mind.

 

Due to the positive response, once again the Guild is opening their season in the William G. Fry Theater.  The Fry Theater is an intimate thrust-style venue with seating that surrounds the stage on 3 sides.  By staging the production in this space, the audience is sure to be immersed in the dark, gritty streets of Mr. Hyde’s London.  With only 139 seats available for each performance, tickets are expected to sell fast and audiences are encouraged to order seats early.

 

Under the direction of frequent Guild collaborator, Michael Lawrence Akers, JEKYLL & HYDE boasts a talented ensemble of actors which includes:

 

Dr. Henry Jekyll/Mr. Hyde - JOE HALADEY

Lucy Harris - HEIDI SWINFORD

Emma Carew - AMANDA MEDLEY            

John Utterson - DARYL ROBINSON

Simon Stride - JAY SIGLER

Sir Danvers Carew - SAM KITZLER

Lady Beaconsfield - CAROL SAMPSEL PECK

Lord Savage - ALEXANDRE MARR

Bishop of Basingstoke - DOUGLAS LIZAK

Dame Arabelle Proops - OLIVIA WIMBERLY

General Glossop - JOHN SCAVELLI

The JEKYLL & HYDE production team includes: Joshua Erichsen, Producing Artistic Director/Scenic Designer; Steve Parsons, Music Director; Scott Sutton, Sound and Lighting Designer, and George McCarty II, Costume Designer.

 

The production is scheduled to open on Friday, September 4, 2015 and will run for three weekends through Sunday, September 20, with Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8:00pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00pm.    Tickets for this Downstage Musical are $26.00. Tickets for all performances may be purchased online 24 hours a day at www.playersguildtheatre.com or in person at the Players Guild Box Office, located in the Great Court of the Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Ave N. Tickets may also be purchased by phone: 330-453-7617.

 

JEKYLL & HYDE THE MUSICAL is generously supported by the R.G. SMITH COMPANY.

 

The Players Guild Theatre receives support from these generous partners:  Arts In Stark, The Ohio Arts Council, The Canton Repository, and 89.7 WKSU.

 

 

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