At 120, 'Jekyll Hyde' still applies to what ails society

Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," the Broadway musical version of the 120-year-old novella isn't simply a horror story. "It's more psychological.

It really is a moral tale. It's a cautionary tale," said Paul Prece, Washburn University theater professor and department chairman, who is directing "Jekyll Hyde," a joint production with the Helen Hocker Center for the Performing Arts The musical, with book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and music by Frank Fildhorn, opens a two-weekend run tonight at Washburn's Andrew J. and Georgia Neese Gray Theatre.

Stevenson's 1886 novella, which the author called "a fine bogey tale," is filled with themes that have stood the test of time: revenge, hypocrisy and, of course, the duality of human nature, of good and evil. In the song "Fa ade," the ensemble sings: "Man is not one but two, he is evil and good! An' he walks a fine line, we'd all cross if we could!

"

Henry Jekyll, who desperately wants to cure his insane and institutionalized father, is chemistry. He believes he can come up with a medication that will destroy the evil nature of a man, leaving only his good side. In his Godlike endeavors, Jekyll forgets Lucifer started as an angel, and his experiments unleash from within himself the malevolent Mr.

Hyde. In an essay in the playbill, Steven Angel, chairman and associate professor of chemistry at Washburn, explores that notion. As Jekyll continues his experiments, he says: "My nightly transformations .

.. as delightful as wine, yet tenfold more intoxicating .

.. I can only recall feeling younger, lighter and twice as alive.

" Although the drug threatens Jekyll's physical well-being, personal life and professional standing, Jekyll is addicted, Angel writes. When: 8 p.m.

today and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.

m. Nov. 3-4 and 2 p.

m. Nov. 5 Where: Andrew J.

and Georgia Neese Gray Theatre, east wing, Garvey Fine Arts Center, Washburn University How much: $11 ($9 for youths 12 and younger and free for Washburn University students, faculty and staff free with ID) He adds: "It's a trap we observe too frequently of individuals losing their jobs, health, relationships, freedom and even their children for the instantaneous feeling that 'there's no battle I couldn't survive -- feeling like this, feeling alive!'" The other program essayist, Laura Stephenson, associate dean and professor of psychology, looked at the play from her discipline, comparing Jekyll's turmoil to dissociative identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder. However, Stephenson concludes: "The lesson from both the fictional account and the psychological disorder is enduring -- hiding one's true self from others is not nearly as destructive as hiding it from oneself.

" Many others don't look for such hidden meanings, choosing instead to appreciate "Jekyll Hyde" for its score, which include the pop hit, "This Is the Moment." Tina Towle plays Jekyll's fianc e, Emma, while Jessica Rupp portrays the prostitute Lucy who Hyde sets his sights on. Also in the cast, which is a mix of Washburn students and community actors, are: Cheryl Banez Ocfemia, Fred Bahr, Kellie Brubaker, Jordan Ewell, Max Fredrickson, Michael Garbo, Bill Gloy, Zach Goodman, Keegan Han, Jaclyn Hefner, Ivory Mazur, Mike Pokorny, David Pomeroy, Jason Ramos, Michael Scott, Matt Steiner, Jim Tuchsherer, Kendra Verhage and Susan Weber.

Nancy Scrinopskie Epoch serves as musical director and conducts a 16-piece pit orchestra: Pat Gibson, piano; Donna I Mealy, Nathan Mark and Elizabeth Akins, violin; Megan Siebert and Shadi Alzoubi, viola; Carolyn Voth and Andrew Voth, cello; Kirt Saville, woodwinds; Julie Saville, flute; Heather Kumlin, oboe; Erik Berggren, trombone; Joanne Fields, French horn; Don Dabney, trumpet; Zach Snyder, bass; and Bob Keckeisen, percussion. Tony Nayor created the Gothic architecture of the set through with columns and arches of carved foam. The production team also includes Sharon L.

Sullivan, costume design; Christopher Schultz, sound design; Sally Glassman, choreography; and Frank Hernandez and Andy Brown, production stage managers.