THIS IS THE MOMENT TO EXPERIENCE “JEKYLL & HYDE” WITH TUTS

HOUSTON, TEXAS…Two legends return to Houston and TUTS this Spring – Jekyll & Hyde and Robert Cuccioli. Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) mounts an all-new production of the Houston favorite, Jekyll & Hyde, from April 22 – May 9, 2004 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby at Walker). Based on the Robert Louis Stevenson novella with music by Frank Wildhorn and book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, this Tony-nominated Broadway hit features such memorable songs as “This Is The Moment,” “Someone Like You,” and “Bring On The Men.” Originally produced in Houston by the Alley Theatre and TUTS, Jekyll & Hyde will be directed by Robert Cuccioli and will receive an all-new TUTS staging.

Returning to TUTS this time as show director, Cuccioli created the title role in the 1995 Houston production of Jekyll & Hyde, prior to his Broadway performance, which earned him a Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, as well as a Tony nomination. Other performing credits include his Broadway debut as Javert in Les Miserables and Off-Broadway productions of The Rothchilds, Gigi, Senor Discretion, and The World Goes ‘Round. Having made his directorial debut with The Glass Menagerie at the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, Cuccioli has also directed productions of Jekyll & Hyde at both Westchester Broadway Theatre and Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.

Appearing in the leading roles are Kevin Gray (Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde), Luba Mason (Lucy), and Kate Suber (Emma). Gray has previously starred on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera, The King and I and Jesus Christ Superstar. Mason is reprising her role as Lucy from the Broadway production of Jekyll & Hyde and has also appeared in Broadway’s How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, while Suber’s credits include Broadway’s Titanic and the Public Theatre’s On the Town.

In addition to Cuccioli, the creative team will also include choreography by Tony Stevens; scenic design by James Noone, who co-designed the Broadway production; costume design by Ann Curtis, who created the Tony-nominated Broadway costumes; lighting design by Richard Winkler; sound design by Christopher "Kit" Bond; and musical direction by Jan Rosenberg.

Adapted from Stevenson’s 1886 novella “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Jekyll & Hyde tells the story of Dr. Henry Jekyll, a brilliant young doctor and research scientist who, distraught over his father’s mental illness, embarks upon a quest to isolate the dual elements of good and evil that are constantly struggling for supremacy inside every human being. However, when his experiment backfires, Jekyll inadvertently gives life to Edward Hyde, his evil alter ego, a murderous being who will let loose a reign of terror on the city of London and those who had ridiculed Jekyll’s research.

Single tickets for Jekyll & Hyde ($25-$68) are available to the public by phone at (713) 558-8887 or outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882; or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, (800 Bagby at Walker, Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm); or on-line at www.tuts.com. Audio described performances are available May 2 at 2 p.m.; open captioning May 2 at 7:30 & May 6 at 8 p.m. Wheelchair accessible. Student and Seniors (60+) discounted tickets available one hour before performance.

TUTS is thrilled to partner the Doubletree Hotel-Allen Center to offer a special rate of $69 for out of town Jekyll & Hyde patrons. This rate is good for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights through the run of the show, April 22 – May 9, and only at the Allen Center location. Reservations may be made two ways – via phone or online. Phone reservations should be made by calling 1-800-222-TREE, mention the date(s) needed, and that the rooms are being reserved for the Jekyll & Hyde anniversary production. On-line reservations should be made at www.houstonallencenter.doubletree.com by clicking on “book a room” and entering correct set of dates and “JEK” as promotional/group code. Patrons should have a credit card handy for both reservations options.

Sponsors of TUTS’ production of Jekyll & Hyde include The Humphreys Foundation, Ernst & Young, and Humana. Air transportation is provided by Continental Airlines, the official airline of Theatre Under The Stars. Media sponsors are ABC-13 and the Houston Chronicle.

Theatre Under The Stars, one of America’s largest producers of non-profit musical theatre, was founded in 1968 by Frank M. Young. Theatre Under The Stars was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, and has since performed there each summer, giving Houston 42 lavish musicals such as South Pacific, West Side Story and The Who’s Tommy, all remaining free. Since its founding, Theatre Under The Stars has produced more than 240 major musicals including many local, national and world premieres, such as Jekyll & Hyde, Sayonara, Kopit/Yeston’s Phantom, and is currently represented on Broadway with Beauty and the Beast. As a way to continue the tradition of musical theatre, Theatre Under The Stars’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre provides instruction and stage experience for more than 1,000 students annually.

©Theatre Under The Stars