performance opportunity to County Prep students, who are learning both performance and
rehearsal practices and encountering first hand all of the aspects of professional theater. This
year in particular has been special due to both having complete live accompaniment, by our
Music Director Mr. Chuck Macklin, and having the show designed by a professional lighting
designer, Mr. Lance Michel. “This has brought our production to a new level and we are so
thankful to the administration and to Ms. Warfel for facilitating this” says Ms. Shields, Theatre
and Language instructor.
This year, the course focused on rehearsing and performing the musical Jekyll & Hyde (B’WAY),
play about the duality of human nature, as it is reflected in Jekyll and Hyde. Dr. Jekyll attempts to
create a potion to separate good from evil, but what ends up happening is that the potion simply
strips away the civilized veneer, exposing man’s essential nature. So the play becomes a struggle
attempting to answer lots of questions, and inviting the audience on a journey of self-discovery.
What really is good and evil? How do these concepts apply to the social structure of the
1888 London society? Is good only a façade? Or is good the inner essence of a human heart?
County Prep’s rendition of the musical was a tremendous success. Performed for two audiences
with standing ovations, plus an open dress rehearsal for Explore 2000 middle school, the
response has been overwhelming. There has been a lot of buzz around the school of audience
members sharing their favorite moments. Some called it “marvelous," some reported
“goosebumps” at various points, others pointed to being surprised by the quality of the singing
and the acting, and the virtuosity of our musical director.
Directed by Ms. Shields, Ms. Warfel-Sandler, and Mr. Macklin, this piece was chosen to
showcase our performers this year. Adam Hassan starred in the role of Jekyll/ Hyde, with Alexia
Velazquez as Lucy, Kaylin Vazquez as Emma, and Joshua Dunn as Utterson. . The cast also
included Jose Lupianez, Samantha Killion, Kyle Velazquez, Gianni Ortega, Matthew Riccardi,
Alyssa Massa, Joshua Vazquez, Sirena Morales, Jahn Camac, Robert Delmonte and Elizabeth
Flores. This production was overall an ensemble piece, where each performer was involved at all
times, either on stage in numerous group numbers and scenes, or backstage preparing the set,
props, costumes, and program. Special recognition also goes to sound technician Vander
Washington, lighting technicians Juliana Yeung and Shannon Murphy, and stage manager
Katherine Castro.
Ms. Shields, Ms.Warfel-Sandler, and Mr.Macklin are very proud of all the actors, dancers and
singers whose work has developed through our premiere rendition of this Broadway classic.
Jekyll &Hyde (B’WAY) is presented through arrangement with Music Theatre International
(MTI) All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.MTIShows.com.com
See photo gallery: http://www.hcstonline.org/cphs/jekyllandhyde.html
