'Jekyll & Hyde' sets tone for Halloween

With Oct. 31 just around the corner, Music On Stage's production of "Jekyll & Hyde" will put audience members in the mood for Halloween. The dark musical, which opens at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine, runs through Sunday, Oct. 17.

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story, "Jekyll & Hyde" tells the story of a brilliant doctor whose experiments with the human personality create a murderous counterpart. Dr. Henry Jekyll is convinced that the cure for his father's mental illness lies in the separation of Man's evil nature from his good. His savage alter ego, Edward Hyde is born when Dr. Jekyll's experiment goes terribly wrong, wreaking havoc on the streets of late 19th-century London.

Music On Stage's show features Dr. Jekyll (Steven Lugovsky of Lake Bluff), his sympathetic fiancé, Emma Carew (Rebecca Parvin of Arlington Heights), and Lucy Harris (Colette Todd of Ingleside), the woman he rescues from a life of sin who later succumbs to the uncontrolled passions of Mr. Hyde.

"It is delicious to be able to direct something so dark" director Kevin Wiczer says. "Not very often do you get the opportunity to hear a gorgeous score in such a dark setting."

"Jekyll & Hyde" was originally conceived for the stage by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn, with book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and music by Frank Wildhorn. Music On Stage's production is directed by Wiczer of Wheeling, with music direction by Ann Stewart of Barrington and choreography by Kara Williams of Elgin.

Ticket prices for adults are $20 in advance and $22 at the door; children 12 and younger $18 in advance and $20 at the door; and seniors 62 and older $17 in advance and $19 at the door. Group pricing is $17 each for groups of 20 or more.

The Dinner/Theatre Package, which includes dinner before the show at Vince's Italian Restaurant, 2365 Hick Road in Palatine, costs an additional $17 per person.

For details and to purchase tickets, call (847) 202-5222 or visit musiconstage.org.

If you goWhat: "Jekyll Hyde"When: Opens at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2. Runs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 17.Where: Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St., PalatineTickets: Adults $20 in advance, $22 at the door; children 12 and younger $18 in advance, $20 at the door; seniors 62 and older $17 in advance, $19 at the door. Groups $17 each for groups of 20 or more.Info: (847) 202-5222 or musiconstage.orgAlso: Dinner/Theatre Package available for an additional $17 includes dinner at Vince's Italian Restaurant, 2365 Hick Road, Palatine, before the show