CIU Thespians present: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Columbia International University presents the theatre-adapted production of the classic psychological thriller “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” performed by CIU’s theater and drama club, the Thespians. 

Written originally as a novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, playwright Noah Smith adapted the story into a play with a full cast of characters and a deeper focus on the character of Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde to further illustrate the concept of the good side and the bad side at war within a person. 

The director is senior Nathanael La Salvia, who says the audience will be “a little bit surprised by the acting, especially with Hyde.”

“The adaptation takes a little more liberty in being more explicit about some of the implications of what Hyde actually does,” La Salvia added. 

Senior and Student Body President Joel Baumgarten, plays the lead character and calls the experience,  “a wild, crazy, intense ride.” Baumgarten has been in several of the Thespian’s productions but this is his first time being the lead role in a show.

“(It) is a very different experience so I’ve really enjoyed getting to have more responsibility as a stage actor,” Baumgarten said. 

Elin Johnson, a senior who plays the role of Maid 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 something we’ve never really done before.”

“Expect to really dive deep into yourself and have a consciousness on the decisions that you make,” Johnson added. 

Freshman Lydia Malec, playing the role of Helen O'Neill agrees saying the production “gets more and more intense so enjoy the drama!”

The show runs Nov. 15-17; on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and on Sunday at 3 p.m. The show will be held in Hoke Auditorium and tickets are sold at the door.

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

The cast and crew are as follows:

Cast: 

Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde: Joel Baumgarten 

Dr. Hastie Lanyon/Sam: Jamie Gamble

Mr. Gabriel John Utterson: Nathan Brickey 

Richard Enfield: Jack Horchler

Helen O'Neill: Lydia Malec 

Cybel: Anna Joy Tuls 

Maid: Elin Johnson

Butler: Riley Jones 

Poole/Detective: Denis Knutzen 

Valerie/Sergeant: Virginia Shorts 

Flower Girl: Bekka Kohlmeyer 

Father: Phillip Melson

Directional Team: 

Nathanael La Salvia (Director) 

Phillip Melson (Assistant Director) 

Sammy Scardino (Stage Manager)

Stage Crew: 

Maya Speece 

Elizabeth Jones 

Faith Gilbert 

Louis French

Lighting and Sound: 

Mac Knight 

Xavier Derby

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