Search - Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical on DVD

Please Forgive Me--I've Got To Recommend This, Even With Hof

K. Harris | Las Vegas, NV | 10/08/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm suspecting that there are two types of people who are approaching this DVD, a filmed version of the stage production of "Jekyll & Hyde". One, someone familiar with the show--perhaps saw it and liked it or has the soundtrack--and wants to check out this variation. Or two, someone discovering it anew. It tempts me to write two reviews because while I love "Jekyll & Hyde", it's slightly unfortunate that this is the production most people will get a chance to judge.

So let me preface this by saying that I really am a fan of this show. Some people consider "Jekyll" sort of a "Phantom-lite". I, myself, have never been the biggest supporter of "Phantom of the Opera". It's fine, full of bombast, but hardly the revolutionary experience that people give it credit for. "Jekyll" does play to similar themes, but has a stronger overall soundtrack. Instead of a couple of showstoppers like "Phantom", "Jekyll" is filled with memorable power ballads. Not the most complicated show musically, it is very accessible. And when you have great singers, these simpler and emotionally charged songs become pop opera and quite moving.

So, without hesitation, I recommend the original Broadway Cast recording!!! Robert Cuccioli, Linda Eder and Christiane Noll are superb. You couldn't hope for better.

But here's the problem with this DVD, it's not this great cast--NO, the star is David Hasselhoff. So you see my problem, don't you? Look, I'm not going to be unkind--it's an easy target. Let's just say this. If you're a fan of the show, he doesn't completely ruin it. And it's not like there are any other versions to add to your collections. If you are new to the show, I'm still recommending it provisionally. I wish there were another option. If you like the show, though--and I think you will--please rush over and buy the 1997 Cast recording. Treat yourself to how "Jekyll & Hyde" should really sound. KGHarris, 10/06."

Too bad they didn't tape the original cast

Lawrance M. Bernabo | 10/21/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've seen Jekyll and Hyde twice (both times on tour), and I have to say that the strength of the piece obviously relies solely on the strength of the actor/singer in the title roles. Sadly, in this version, the performance given by Hasselhoff is, to put it mildly, poor. The roles come across so much more powerfully if they are sung by someone who has had musical training (at least enough to be able to sing the score of a Broadway musical). It's too bad that the producers chose to tape this performance instead of a performance starring the original cast. Though there may not have been big names, they probably would have had more people willing to pay for the pay-per-view and DVD/VHS versions, especially due to the popularity of the original Lucy, Linda Eder."

It might be just a guilty pleasure but I enjoyed the show...

Lawrance M. Bernabo | The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota | 01/07/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I had three recurring thoughts while watching "Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical." First, I wished they would slow down the tempo a bit, or at least run an announcement that the production was being compressed for time. I know the attention span of the modern audience grows less each year but the increased tempo bothered me on most of the songs and took away my enjoyment from my favorite piece in the show, the quartet "Your Work--And Nothing More." Second, whatever his vocal limitations, I was impressed to see how David Hasselhoff affected the transformation back and forth between Jekyll and Hyde through body posture and the use of his flowing mane of curly hair (and without makeup). Third, I was liked the singing voices of both good girl Andrea Rivette and bad girl Coleen Sexton, both in their duet "In His Eyes" and separately. Agreed, Sexton is not Linda Eder, but then who is this side of Streisand? (Besides, how many singers have their husband writing songs for their voice in shows on Broadway?). Of course, in my experience of musicals I have never actually seen a Broadway show on Broadway. When your main diet of such things are touring companies or productions in L.A. or the Twin Cities you become accustomed to hearing voices other than the original (the exception would be seeing Michael Crawford perform "Phantom of the Opera" in L.A.). As for Hasselhoff's performance of the show's anthem, "This is the Moment," my complaint remains that the song simply does not fit the story (a truth proven every time someone uses it for their ice skating routine). After all, nobody who sees this show is going to be unfamiliar with the story: we know what is going to happen when Dr. Jekyll takes his injection. The result is that "This is the Moment" provides the worst sort of unintentional irony. The "sweetest moment of them all" is going to result in the brutal deaths of several people. The show's creators realize this as well: notice the immediate and total change in the music at this point as Jekyll prepares the fatal injection. Besides, the limitations of Hasselhoff's singing voice do not bother me as much as the inconsistency I sense between his Jekyll & Hyde voices at time (again, it is his physical performance that is convincing). On balance his performance was better than I would have expected and he certainly should earn points for the effort since, as the actor points out after the curtain calls, this role was "no day at the beach" (and every fan of "Baywatch" who checks this out is one small victory in the name of kulture over pop culture). "Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical" is one I would grade out at 3.5 stars, and so my rating is designed to nudge the overall score in that direction. Whether you do so before or after seeing this filmed production, you should also listen to the Broadway cast album."

Good production but with bad actors!!!

Karn R. | Bangkok, Thailand | 10/19/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Jekyll & Hyde the Musical opened on Broadway in 1997 and then in 2000 before it left the theatre, the show was recorded with a current cast which included Baywatch's David Hasselhoff, Coleen Saxton and Andrea Rivette as Jekyll/Hyde, Lucy and Emma respectively.

As for me, I like the music and the plot of Jekyll & Hyde very much especially the big songs like "This Is the Moment" and "Someone Like You". I saw the show when it was touring in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2000 and bought the cast recording and still can't put it down until today.

I bought this DVD with the hope of revisiting the musical that I enjoyed. The production was fine. It was a bit different in the tour but I still enjoy it. What bothers me are the actors! David Hasselhoff to begin with, he's really bad. The songs sung by Jekyll/Hyde require great actor-singer to perform them, not just any actor who can sing. Hassellhoff couldn't match with previous actors like Anthony Warlow, Robert Evan or Bob Cuccioli at all. He seems to be off-beat most of the time. His facial expression is horrible. He ruined "Lost in the Darkness" and "This Is the Moment" and other songs as well. Still, I would have to say that he did quite well in "Confrontation". He certainly surpasses my expectation in that one.

For the ladies, I would always adore Linda Eder and Christiane Noll. Though Coleen Saxton and Andrea Rivette can't live up to those performance but I think their performances are still enjoyable especially their duet in "In His Eyes". I watch that scene so many times I lost count. Their solos in songs like "Once Upon a Dream" and "Someone Like You/A New Life" are quite good.

The ensemble are kinda weird. I don't like the blocking for "Facade" and "Murder,Murder". It's different from what I saw before and what's with the umbrella? I also dislike the guys who play Utterson, Stride and Sir Carew.

Overall, if you are new to Jekyll & Hyde, I suggest you stick to the cast recording first. There are many versions available: The 1990 concept version with Colm Wilkinson and Linda Eder, The 1995 Complete Recording with Anthony Warlow, and The 1997 Original Broadway Cast with Bob Cuccioli. To me, the OBC is the best in terms of overall listening but Anthony Warlow is the best Jekyll/Hyde.

If you are familiar with Jekyll & Hyde and want to have the stage version of the show then buy it but be prepared with the standards of the actors. They're not as good as the OBC at all."