Jekyll & Hyde: Direct from Broadway

Jekyll & Hyde: Direct from Broadway
DVD Cover Art
Based on	Jekyll & Hyde by Leslie Bricusse Frank Wildhorn
Directed by	Don Roy King
Starring	David Hasselhoff Coleen Sexton Andrea Rivette George Merritt Barrie Ingham
Theme music composer	Frank Wildhorn Leslie Bricusse Steve Cuden
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Running time	135 minutes
Distributor	Broadway Worldwide
Release
Original release	March 10, 2001 (2001-03-10)

Jekyll & Hyde: Direct from Broadway is a 2001 television film of the Broadway production of the 1990 musical Jekyll & Hyde as captured live in performance on Broadway featuring the show's final Broadway cast. The show was captured at Broadway's Plymouth Theatre in New York City December 2000 utilizing multiple high-definition cameras by Broadway Worldwide.

The film was released March 10, 2001, as a one-night-only event in seven digital cinemas in Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, New York, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C., with showings on cable and satellite pay-per-view channels in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America.^[1] This marked the first time that a non-film had been distributed for digital cinema showing.^[2] The program was released on DVD and VHS September 11, 2001, by GoodTimes Video, with a DVD re-release November 14, 2006, by Image Entertainment.^[2] HBO bought the program in December 2002 for a two-year contract on the network.^[3]

There was a professionally shot performance as a rehearsal for the official one used for the DVD. In the former it starred Rob Evan, an understudy and veteran with the production, in the title role. It is currently available on YouTube.^[4]

Plot summary[]

Act I

Attorney and friend John Utterson and future father-in-law Sir Danvers Carew introduces Dr. Henry Jekyll to the audience. Beside his comatose father's bed, Jekyll tells the audience that man is both good and evil ("Lost in Darkness").

The song "Facade" describes 19th century London people between who they are and how they want to be seen. Jekyll proposes to the Board of Governors of St. Jude's Hospital a personality research experiment on humans to separate good from evil, but the board rejects it ("Jekyll's Plea"). Obsessed Jekyll feels he is right and seeks to "Pursue the Truth".

Sir Danvers hosts a showy party for his engaged daughter, Emma. Guests try to persuade Emma to end her engagement with Dr. Henry and she sings "Emma's Reasons" to explain why she stays. Jekyll arrives late to the party as usual. He warns Emma of his duty to his work and she pledges to stand behind him ("I Must Go On/Take Me as I Am").

Jekyll and friend Utterson go to "The Red Hat" bar for his bachelor party. They meet prostitute Lucy Harris who sings "No One Knows Who I Am". On stage she sings "Good 'N' Evil" and Jekyll is captivated by her. Jekyll and Lucy become friends and they sing together "Here's to the Night (Lucy meets Jekyll)".

Back home Henry tells John that he has found a subject for his experiment. He goes into his lab and sings "This Is the Moment". He logs his work into his journal. He injects the formula into his arm, writhes in pain and emerges with an aggressive personality ("First Transformation"). Edward Hyde sings "Alive".

Jekyll secretly works in his lab to the concern of Emma, Sir Danvers and Utterson. His valet Poole fetches chemicals. Utterson confronts Jekyll about his bizarre behavior. A second man is heard in the lab. Emma supports his work. They all sing "His Work and Nothing More".

Lucy Harris arrives at the doctor's home. She shows him the bruises caused by Edward Hyde. Jekyll realizes the connection. Lucy sings "Sympathy, Tenderness" and "Someone Like You". Edward Hyde leaves the lab and kills the Bishop of Basingstoke, a hypocrite who like to have sex with little girls.

Act II

Five more of the governors who rejected Jekyll's experiment proposal are dead as the townspeople sing "Murder Murder". Emma reads a partial part of the doctor's journal and begs him to confide in her ("Once Upon a Dream"). Utterson arrives and wants to know who is Edward Hyde and why is this man his sole heir? Jekyll tells him he is only a 'colleague' in his experiment. Jekyll knows Hyde is part of him ("Obsession"). Lucy and Emma are in love with the same man and both sing "In His Eyes". Lucy is terrified of Hyde but under his control ("Dangerous Game").

Utterson comes to Jekyll's lab and finds Edward Hyde. Hyde injects himself roaring with laughter and reverts to Dr. Henry Jekyll in front of his friend. The truth is now known and Jekyll wants to be restored to his former self ("The Way Back").

Jekyll wants to protect Lucy and sends her money. She sings about "A New Life", but Hyde arrives and murders her. Jekyll/Hyde return to the lab for a battle of control ("Confrontation").

Jekyll seems to have returned. Emma and Henry are at the church for their wedding. As the ceremony begins, Jekyll bends over in pain, pleads "no, no" and transfers into Hyde. The Jekyll part of the man begs John to kill him but his friend cannot act. Jekyll stabs himself as Emma weeps. Jekyll dies and frees the evil Hyde. (Finale")

Cast[]

• David Hasselhoff as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde
• Coleen Sexton as Lucy Harris
• Andrea Rivette as Emma Carew
• George Merritt as Mr. John Utterson, Esq.
• Barrie Ingham as Sir Danvers Carew
• Martin Van Treuren as Lord Theodore Savage / The Spider
• Robert Jensen as Mr. Simon Stride

Musical numbers[]

See also[]

• Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, 1886 novella by Robert Louis Stevenson

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Jekyll and Hyde at LiveBway.com - Filmed Broadway Shows Database
• Jekyll & Hyde: Direct from Broadway at IMDb