The Fifth Wall Theater Project will open a spooky tale of Victorian-era London just in time for Halloween. The company’s production of the musical “Jekyll and Hyde” opens Friday in the Wisteria Room at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club for a two-weekend run with a performance on Oct. 31.
“For everyone on the board (of directors) it’s one of their favorite musicals,” said Robert Jerome Pagan, a co-director for the show. “It is going back to Broadway after we close the show so we wouldn’t have a chance to do it for a while. We felt Halloween would be the perfect time to do it.”
Pagan described the show as PG-13, adding it would be most appropriate for adults and older teens.
“There are cast members of all ages in the show, but it does talk about murder and there are burlesque aspects to the show as well,” he said.
The last production of the season will feature a stage that is in the middle of the room, with seating in front of and on the sides of the stage. The cast of 20 had been rehearsing at the El Teatro Campesino Playhouse in San Juan Bautista, but moved into the Wisteria Room for rehearsals last week.
Pagan said he has seen the movie versions of “Jekyll and Hyde,” read the book and watched the BBC show “for a little bit of inspiration as well.”
He described the show as being darker than a typical musical.
“Music theater tends to be happy and upbeat,” he said. “You rarely get a dark story told. The music is very beautiful and uplifting. We have two amazing female leads who carry the show very well.”
Rick Cabezas is the musical director for the show, with Pagan working as the director of choreography and co-stage director with Dana Scribner.
“There is dancing, but its more movement,” he said. “It’s not your average ‘Singing in the Rain’ show. The music helps propel the story.”
Play Preview:
“Jekyll & Hyde the Musical”: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26, 27, 31, Nov. 2 and 3 at the Wisteria Room at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club. Cost: $15 for general admission, with a $5 discount for city or hospital workers and Ridgemark residents. Details: fifthwalltheaterproject.com.
