Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical (2001)

Too much of everything

So much average

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

There are some impressive staging techniques used in this show including: The seamless movement of set pieces on and off stage, shifting mood lighting, and some potentially bombastic songs. Unfortunately, the show takes itself far too seriously. David Hasselhoff can't handle the delicate mix of his role. He is only sporadicly engaging and when he is, you will probably be engaged in laughter. The scene where Jekyll and Hyde duet is perhaps the most ridiculous in the play. At this point, I wondered if this was a comedy and nobody realized. I don't know if any actor could perform this without it being silly. Then, there the super serious Carew(Barrie Ingham) and Utterson(George Merritt) monologues to the audience, which are almost as amusing. And, I must have missed the prostitute and Jekyll's father in Stevenson's book. They are clichés fit for a soap like The Young and The Restless. The two ladies, Coleen Sexton and Andrea Rivette, can sing and easily eclipse Hasselhoff.

I am not a fan of Bay Watch, but David Hasselhoff did an outstanding job. I believe theater is Hasselhoff's calling. If you can watch this musical with an open mind, and get over the fact that the star has done crappy TV you will realize that he has talent for theater. His performance left me shocked and wanting more. I have watched the musical many times and the performance still amazes me. I first saw the musical in a College English class, Horror Fiction and Film, at Chapman University. I thought the professor was crazy for making us watch this film, but I was wrong. Anyone who is a fan of musical theater will enjoy this. I only wish I heard about this when it was still live. I would have enjoyed seeing it. I hope that Hasselhoff does more theater in the future. There is room for him to improve, but I believe over time he could be an outstanding theater performer.

With the coming Extraordinary League of Gentlemen, how could i not be hypnotized by this musical? I came accidentally on it and thought: lets learn more about this dr. Jekyll. I thought at first it was not a musical but a play: the actors were good and the atmosphere was breathtaking.. And that doctor, so convincing! To be honest, i was sure it was David Hasselhoff only at the end when it was actually written!! Even with his imposant body, his sharp face, i couldn't say he was D.H. What a wonderfull surprise! So to answer to a previous post, you'll be impressed even if you're not a D.H. fan! He is really playing it with his guts as well as Jekyll's passion for science as Hyde's lust for destruction! Utterson is also played very skillfully and one of the most funny character in the play. This one conclusion i took from this experience is of course not be rely myself only on the facade of people: Hasselhoff on baywatch on one hand can be more than convincing as Jekyll and Hyde! Go see it for yourself!

I nearly decided not to post my remarks because my reaction to this video is so similar to that of many other posters: It's a good show that is, alas, nearly ruined by the presence of the inadequate David Hasselhoff as Jekyl-Hyde. His singing is below average, his acting is atrocious, and he moves with all the grace of a water buffalo. Hasselhoff's weaknesses were made more noticeable than they might otherwise have been because the production was otherwise very good. The two female leads, Coleen Sexton, as Lucy, and Andrea Rivette, as Emma Carew, are excellent. Sexton and Rivette have one duet that was moving and beautifully sung. In fairness to Hasselhoff, I must confess that it seems to me that few actor singers have the talent to really pull off the dauntingly demanding Jekyl-Hyde role. Len Cariou or George Hearn could have done the job both dramatically and musically – 25 years ago. But these days, I don't know who could do it. I like this musical and would like to see it performed with someone in the title role who can really sing and act. I gave this video 6 out of 10, but I cannot really recommend it because Hasselfoff's presence makes it, on balance, not worth the candle.