THIS IS THE MOMENT FOR JEKYLL & HYDE
By Esther Lynn
The music tells the story in Jekyll & Hyde: The Concert. The compelling songs, written by Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse, reveal the emotion, the passion and the horror of this gothic thriller. The powerful and romantic pop score is brought to life by the talents of three of the stages brightest stars, a pulse pounding orchestra and six piece rhythm section. The concert version of Jekyll & Hyde has been adapted by Wildhorn and Bricusse and includes material from throughout the 20 year development of the smash Broadway show. With songs like “This is the Moment,” “Confrontation,” “Someone Like You” and “In His Eyes,“ the strangely charismatic story unfolds for Dr. Jekyll and his polar opposite twin Mr. Hyde. It is directed by Gregory Boyd, with music direction by Jason Howland. Performers for the tour are Robert Evan as Jekyll/Hyde, Miss America 1998 Kate Shindle as Lucy, and Brandi Burkhardt as Emma.
Evan starred in the original Broadway cast of Jekyll & Hyde, playing the title roles for three years and more than 600 performances. His rendition of This Is the Moment has been performed at numerous prestigious events including the 2001 Inaugural Gala for President George W. Bush, the Millennium Independence Day US Naval Revue aboard the USS JFK for President Clinton, the Millennium World Forum Conference with guest speaker Mikhail Gorbachev, the 1998 Goodwill Games, the New York City Mayor’s Inaugural Gala, the 1998 and 1999 NY Yankees World Series Celebration at City Hall, The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Telecast, the Today Show, and Monday Night Football.
After graduating from Chicago’s Northwestern University, Kate Shindle spent her fall waiting tables in New York City. While at Northwestern she performed in several student theater productions including Gypsy and a lead role in City of Angels. Representing Illinois, Kate Shindle was chosen Miss America 1998. As Miss America, she used her platform to spread awareness of AIDS, especially HIV prevention. She was an understudy in the Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde. Of her Broadway debut, the New York Post said "With just a two-hour rehearsal, Shindle went on for the first time. She received a standing ovation, and a very public pat on the back from the show's director, Robin Phillips. During the curtain call, Phillips ran on stage, held up his hands to stop the applause and told the audience, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, today a star has been born.’” Shindle has recorded a number of albums and appeared in the 2004 remake of the film, The Stepford Wives.
As for Brandi Burkhardt, regionally, she has been seen as Laurey in Oklahoma, as Kim MacAffe in Bye Bye Birdie, as Maria in The Sound Of Music, played the title role in Oleanna, portrayed Fog in Temptation, and Bianca In My Father's Eyes. Brandi was invited to sing the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden for the New York Knicks and at Camden Yards for the Baltimore Orioles. She has been featured on "The Guiding Light," Lifetime TV’s “Earth Angels," was the host for "Raw & Uncensored," and worked on the films "Washington Square" with Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jennifer Garner, and "Boys" with Winona Ryder.
Brandi recently finished recording the lead role of Mary Vetsera on the concept recording for Frank Wildhorn's new musical, Vienna, opening in 2006. Brandi Burkhardt won a talent award for her rendition of "Take Me As I Am" as Miss New York at the 2000 Miss America Pageant. She was the subject of a feature article in The New Yorker Magazine, as well as an award-winning documentary film based on her life.
Jekyll & Hyde: The Concert is described as more than a concert, it is an Event!
Jekyll & Hyde: The Concert
UNLV Artemus Ham Concert Hall
Saturday, October 22 8pm
$45, $60, $90
Tickets at (702) 895-ARTS (2787) or online at UNLVTickets.com
