Kennie Talk About "Jekyll & Hyde!"

Coming this weekend to the stage in Huntington is Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical, the hit Broadway show based on the famous book.

One of the stars of the show is my pal Kennie Bass (he plays John Utterson), and he provides some more information about the show in this e-interview (and I'll have more of them in the days ahead).

Q: Why did you want to be part of the musical Jekyll & Hyde?

Kennie: I wasn't very familiar with the musical. I had previously heard the song "Facade" but I didn't know its origin. However, after listening to the soundtrack, I became a fan. The music is absolutely incredible, and the leads... Ryan Hardiman (Jekyll), Brittany Adkins (Emma) and Andrea Parkins (Lucy)... perform the songs beautifully. I am very honored and humbled to be working alongside them... they can just flat-out sing. It's going to be amazing.

Q: For those who aren't familiar with the show, give us the basics.

Kennie: Set in the fall of 1888, Dr. Henry Jekyll's father is mentally ill. For several years, Jekyll has been seeking a cure for mental illness... to somehow separate the good and evil in man. He thinks he's found the answer, but he needs the ruling authorities to sanction his experiments. When he's denied, Jekyll decides to proceed and experiment on himself, with less than stellar results.

Q: Tell us about the character you play.

Kennie: John Utterson is Jekyll's lawyer, but more importantly he is his best friend. In a couple of spots he serves as narrator, moving the story forward. But his main role is to support his friend... and to act as his conscience. I've joked with Ryan that Utterson is this musical's Jiminy Cricket... trying to steer Jekyll down the correct path. History shows that Utterson is not entirely successful in his efforts.

Q: What's the most challenging thing about this role?

Kennie: Since it's set in London, I had to figure out how much of an accent should be used. Under the direction of Eddie Harbert, I came up with a formal style of speaking. I don't use a heavy British accent. You'll notice it when I speak a few words here and there... but mostly Utterson speaks in a formal, gentlemanly manner.

Q: Do you have a favorite song?

Kennie: "His Work and Nothing More" features Jekyll, Utterson, Emma and Sir Danvers. It's a big number with a classic Broadway-style finish. But like many others, I'd have to say that "This Is The Moment" is my favorite. It's a show-stopper... and a tremendous showcase of Ryan Hardiman's vocal and acting talents. It will give you chills. But there are many, many great songs... Ryan, Brittany and Andrea deliver on each and every one of them.

Q: Tell us about the cast.

Kennie: The cast has been a dream. Besides Ryan, Brittany and Andrea... who are all brilliant choices, Terry Salyer just nails it as Sir Danvers. He's Emma's father and very concerned his daughter is getting into a "complicated" relationship with her fiance', Dr. Jekyll.

Additionally, we have a great group playing the Board of Governors. Betty Craddock, Scott Black, Michael Byrd, Joshua Price and Levi Kelley are all properly snobbish and "upper crust." Michael Naglee is perfect as Simon Stride, who is Jekyll's rival for Emma's love. When you add in Jenn Naglee (Lucy's friend Nellie), Aaron Pennington (Spider/Poole/Priest) the "Red Rat" girls (including the wonderful Jane Modlin) and an energetic ensemble, you have a pretty potent mixture of talent.

Q: Why would you recommend this show to our readers?

Kennie: It's a classic story of love... betrayal... life... and death. A tale of a man reaching for the heavens... and falling utterly and completely into hell. You combine that with an incredibly talented cast which can deliver all of the emotions of the story and hit all of the notes of the music, and you have the recipe for a winner. Director Eddie Harbert possessed a specific vision for this story... and he found the right cast to tell it. With Maestro Chris Bowling's outstanding musical direction... and choreography by Coni Anthony... you will be entertained. I've been listening to these people sing these songs nearly every day for six weeks... and I'm not tired of them! They are as fresh and exciting now as they were the first time they performed them.

Q: Tell us the dates, times and place for the show.

Kennie: Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical
Presented by Arts Resources for the Tri-State (ARTS)

October 14-16 / 21-23
Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m.
Sunday Matinees 2:30 p.m.

Show only tickets: $15
Dinner and show: $30 (Fri-Sat only - Dinner served at 6:30 p.m.)

The Renaissance Center Auditorium
(Old Huntington High)
900 8th Street, Huntington, WV

Call 304-733-ARTS for tickets and info.