Dish-Houston

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is proud to announce the international musical sensation and four time Tony Award nominee Jekyll & Hyde will run at Hobby Center For The Performing Arts Oct. 10 – 21, 2012 as TUTS’ opening show for its 2012-2013 “A Lot To Love” season.  After four thrilling, chilling years on Broadway and multiple world-wide tours, this dark and dangerous love story returns in a stunning new production that includes all the classic songs (“This is the Moment,” “A New Life,” and “Someone Like You”) that first grabbed audiences by the throat and transformed Jekyll & Hyde into a theatrical phenomenon.

The musical stars Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis in the dual title role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde.  Starring alongside him will be Grammy nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox as Lucy.

Several stage veterans will join the headlining cast.  Teal Wicks, whose credits include Wicked’s Elphaba on Broadway, will play Emma Carew.  Laird Mackintosh, who played on Broadway and in the first national tour as George Banks in Mary Poppins, will portray John Utterson.  Richard White, whom audiences will remember from the lead role in TUTS’ Zorro and Phantom, Broadway’s Most Happy Fella and the national tours of Urinetown and Camelot, will play the role of Sir Danvers Carew.

TUTS’ presentation of Jekyll & Hyde is part of a 25 week national tour leading up to a Broadway engagement of the show starting in April 2013.  TUTS fittingly serves as a stop during the tour as the show originated right here in Houston.

Conceived for the stage by Tony and Grammy Award nominee Frank Wildhorn and Steve Cuden, Jekyll & Hyde features a book & lyrics by two-time Oscar winner, Emmy winner and four-time Tony Award nominee Leslie Bricusse, music by Frank Wildhorn, and will be directed and choreographed by Tony Award Nominee Jeff Calhoun. 

The musical is based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s acclaimed novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde about a London doctor who accidentally unleashes his evil alternate personality in his quest to cure his father’s mental illness.

Tickets (starting at only $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  An audio described performance is available Sunday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.; open captioning is available Sunday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. The Hobby Center is wheelchair accessible.  Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.  Group tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

BY DISH CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT ARTHUR:

Logan Keslar is one of those performers that musical theater teachers point to and say “He did it and so can you.” The talented Mr. Keslar has been to Broadway and back – well back for just a while – as he tours the country in the perennial hit musical comedy La Cage Aux Folles opening April 24^th  at the Hobby Center.

Born in Liberty, Texas he quickly gravitated to Houston and the arts.

“I was drawn to dancing when I was just a few years old. Heck - I was dancing in kindergarten.  My Mom took me to all the classic musicals and really encouraged my interests.” he said. He attended the Humphreys School of Musical Theater and graduated from Houston’s High School for the Performing Arts. “I worked with Tony Award winners, gained confidence and learned how to audition.”

And then ….like everyone else with grease paint in their veins, he moved to New York to be in big time show biz.

“I got my equity card right away. And I was lucky; I knew people, had a few connections and started working after a very short time.”

When Logan was all of 20 years old, he leaped over the pond and was selected to be a singing, dancing gang member in London’s 50^th Anniversary West End production of West Side Story. Four years later he was dancing on Broadway.

Direct from the great white way comes La Cage Aux Folles. The show that will not and SHOULD NOT die. The plot is classic: it focuses on a gay couple: Georges, the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and Albin, his romantic partner and star attraction, and the farcical adventures that ensue when Georges's son, brings home his fiancée's ultra-conservative parents to meet them.

The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical and  Best Score. The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, the 2008 London revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

The 2010 Broadway revival was nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. And Logan was part of it. In the touring version of La Cage, Logan continues his Broadway role as Bitelle, one of the six (men in drag) Cagelles - the corps de ballet of the hit musical.

“We’re the only dancing in the show. It’s fun but sometimes exhausting.  It takes almost an hour to put on all that make up and the wig! I have a heavy beard and have to wait until just before going onstage to shave.”

In the 2010 Broadway show, TV star Kelsey Grammer played Georges, in Houston, the role is taken over by Hollywood icon George Hamilton. Different actors different interpretations? “Yes. The energy and style of each lead changes the show. Kelsey led the train. He took charge. George is one of the most authentic and kind men. And he’s really relaxed. Christopher Sieber, who played Georges on Broadway, is now Albin, opposite Hamilton – and he’s hilarious.”

Keslar is playing his hometown. Are you nervous?

“No, all my family friends and teachers are going to be there to support me. I just want them to have a good time.”

Sounds like it will be hard NOT to have a good time. The TUTS production of La Cage Aux Folles runs April 24^th through May 6. For ticket information, call 713-558-8887 or go to http://www.tuts.com