Eastlake brings twist to ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’
November 10, 2009
By Administrator
By Christopher Huber
Eastlake junior drama club member Alex Darling watched his fellow actors rehearse the movements to a fight scene after school in the performing arts center Nov. 5. They were preparing for the opening of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
Thinking back on some of the past school plays and musicals he’s been in and seen, Darling, who plays Robert James, said he was excited about the drawn-out fight scene in the fall production. This is the first fight scene since Romeo and Juliet in 2006, according to club advisor and production co-director Silas Lindenstein.
And as Darling talked about the special twist near the end of the play, he giddily bounced up and down with his feet.
“It’s movie worthy, no doubt,” he said.
The Eastlake Drama Club will present its original adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde starting Nov. 19 at the school’s performing arts center.
People should come “because it’s this new twist on a classic tale,” Lindenstein said. “We’ve turned it into a thriller mystery as we’ve tried to figure out who Mr. Hyde really is.”
The performance runs at 7 p.m. Nov. 19-21, with a special matinee showing at 2 p.m. Nov. 21. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for students, and $7 for senior citizens, faculty and students with an ASB card. Lindenstein and students suggest the show for ages 13 and older.
“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” is a story about a genius professor and his assistant, who are about to make a major scientific breakthrough. In Eastlake’s rendition, Dr. Jekyll is female and engaged to Robert James, the lawyer defending a man falsely accused of being Jack the Ripper, the production’s press release said.
The work, originally written as a book in 1886 by Robert Louis Stevenson and adapted by Lindenstein for the school play, is known for its imaginative portrayal of a split personality.
Typically played by one actor who transforms between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Lindenstein said, Nahani Toda-Peters plays Dr. Elizabeth Jekyll and Alex Trewin plays Mr. Edward Hyde for Eastlake’s production.
The Eastlake version will take an unexpected twist at the end that those who know the traditional plot may find surprising, Lindenstein said.
“There’s a lot of excitement about the show for that,” he said.
He said this play is the first original adaptation of a popular production in years at Eastlake. History and English teacher Rachelle Horner co-directs the piece with Lindenstein.
Abigail Johnson, who plays Beatrice, was also excited about the twist in this year’s play.
She said the cast members represent a range of talents and characters that will make the production entertaining and thrilling for all. She said it’s been interesting learning to speak in a British accent, too.
“We all really love what we’re doing and we’re here to work,” Johnson said.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Eastlake junior drama club member Alex Darling watched his fellow actors rehearse the movements to a fight scene after school in the performing arts center Nov. 5. They were preparing for the opening of “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
Thinking back on some of the past school plays and musicals he’s been in and seen, Darling, who plays Robert James, said he was excited about the drawn-out fight scene in the fall production. This is the first fight scene since Romeo and Juliet in 2006, according to club advisor and production co-director Silas Lindenstein.
Eastlake senior Nahani Toda-Peters, playing Dr. Elizabeth Jekyll (holding knife), rehearses a murder scene Nov. 5 with juniors Soniya Pimparker, left, and Camila Provoste (playing beggars). Photo by Christopher Huber
And as Darling talked about the special twist near the end of the play, he giddily bounced up and down with his feet.
“It’s movie worthy, no doubt,” he said.
The Eastlake Drama Club will present its original adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde starting Nov. 19 at the school’s performing arts center.
People should come “because it’s this new twist on a classic tale,” Lindenstein said. “We’ve turned it into a thriller mystery as we’ve tried to figure out who Mr. Hyde really is.”
The performance runs at 7 p.m. Nov. 19-21, with a special matinee showing at 2 p.m. Nov. 21. Tickets are $10 for the general public, $8 for students, and $7 for senior citizens, faculty and students with an ASB card. Lindenstein and students suggest the show for ages 13 and older.
“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” is a story about a genius professor and his assistant, who are about to make a major scientific breakthrough. In Eastlake’s rendition, Dr. Jekyll is female and engaged to Robert James, the lawyer defending a man falsely accused of being Jack the Ripper, the production’s press release said.
The work, originally written as a book in 1886 by Robert Louis Stevenson and adapted by Lindenstein for the school play, is known for its imaginative portrayal of a split personality.
Typically played by one actor who transforms between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Lindenstein said, Nahani Toda-Peters plays Dr. Elizabeth Jekyll and Alex Trewin plays Mr. Edward Hyde for Eastlake’s production.
The Eastlake version will take an unexpected twist at the end that those who know the traditional plot may find surprising, Lindenstein said.
“There’s a lot of excitement about the show for that,” he said.
He said this play is the first original adaptation of a popular production in years at Eastlake. History and English teacher Rachelle Horner co-directs the piece with Lindenstein.
Abigail Johnson, who plays Beatrice, was also excited about the twist in this year’s play.
She said the cast members represent a range of talents and characters that will make the production entertaining and thrilling for all. She said it’s been interesting learning to speak in a British accent, too.
“We all really love what we’re doing and we’re here to work,” Johnson said.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
Other Stories of Interest: Eastlake High School
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