THEATER REVIEW : Hermosa’s ‘Dr. Jekyll’: Less Is Really More

Nice Dr. Jekyll and mean Mr. Hyde were, of course, two sides of the same person. Likewise, “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” and “Jekyll & Hyde” are two musicals based on the same Robert Louis Stevenson story, but with very different personalities.

Both shows have appeared in this area within the last month. “Jekyll & Hyde” came first, a big-budget sound-and-light show at Orange County Performing Arts Center. Now “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” is at Hermosa Civic Theatre--a much smaller, largely non-professional venue. No contest? Right--”Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” is easily the better show.

Leonora Thuna’s script opens with a light touch that’s refreshing after the pomp and bluster that dominated “Jekyll & Hyde.” Robert Yacko’s Jekyll is a bit of a social bumbler. Margaret Cavendish (Kelly Jones-Gabriele), his would-be beloved, is growing impatient with his lack of ardor.

Then Jekyll swallows his famous potion--and his transformation is reminiscent of Jerry Lewis’ in “The Nutty Professor.” Yacko’s Mr. Hyde is a cocky, callous cad who strikes real sexual sparks in his encounters with Margaret.

Lucy (Andrea Lee Davis), the woman Mr. Hyde picks up on the side, is a ragged-looking servant in a rather genteel house of ill repute, as opposed to the spectacular pop diva who was the queen of the red light district in “Jekyll & Hyde.”

Lucy’s second act fate isn’t quite as chilling in Hermosa Beach as it was in the bigger show, but the moment when Margaret starts to realize what’s happening makes up for any earlier loss of chills.

The songs by Norman Sachs and lyrics by Mel Mandel are relatively sophisticated and more specifically serve the narrative than the songs in “Jekyll & Hyde,” although even here there are a few expendable moments.

There isn’t much of a set except for Jekyll’s apartment, but then even “Jekyll & Hyde” looked scenically slender. Thuna’s version is likelier to inspire thought about the story’s resonances; for this, it deserves greater resources and wider audiences.

* “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde,” Hermosa Civic Theatre, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends Sept. 30. $12-$15. (310) 318-3452. Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes.