STAGE REVIEW 'Jekyll & amp; Hyde' ignites Powers

The cast ignited the auditorium as each member performed flawlessly.
By GARRY L. CLARK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The dark anguish of a soul ensnared by evil presided over the stage at Monday's opening performance of "Jekyll & amp; Hyde," the season-closing production of the Broadway Series at Edward W. Powers Auditorium.
Brilliant performances ignited the auditorium, both figuratively and literally, as the entire company performed flawlessly, both in acting and in singing.
Set in Victorian London, the story follows the age-old struggle between good and evil, blending romance and horror into an almost mesmerizing story. It also explores mankind's general attitudes and the manner in which all of us keep a carefully constructed fa & ccedil;ade protecting our inner selves.
Cast: Guy LeMonnier moved effortlessly between the two personas of the kind Dr. Jekyll, who seeks to find an answer for those trapped by insanity, and his alter ego, Edward Hyde, a murderous beast within him whom he unwittingly unleashes in his obsessive quest for a cure.
LeMonnier's excellent voice reverberated throughout the hall as the tormented soul who must seek to close the veritable Pandora's box he has opened, most notably in the show-stopping "This is the Moment." His struggle to contain the evil he has released and its ultimate climactic conclusion as his tormented soul desperately cries out for help made for a spellbinding evening.
Jekyll's fianc & eacute;e, Emma Carew, was perfectly played by Shani Lynn Nielsen, whose clear soprano shone in "Once Upon a Dream" and again in a duet, "In His Eyes," with Annie Berthiaume, who portrayed Lucy, a London prostitute. Berthiaume's exquisite performance brought down the house in her renditions of "Someone Like You" and "A New Life."
Also exceptional: Other principal roles featured exceptional performances by David Grimes as Jekyll's friend, John Utterson; Ken Rush as Emma's father, Sir Danvers Carew; and Gwendolyn Walker in a dual role as Lady Beaconsfield and The Madame. Major parts also were portrayed by Gordon Gray, Erick Schark, Jed Abrahams, Jason Watson, Jamie Koeth, Joe Harrell, Mont & eacute; M. Smock, Liz Power and Skie Ocasio.
The male and female ensembles kept the story moving swiftly with fine choreography and glorious singing.
Special effects and lighting enhanced the superb set and costumes with the frequent changes being made silently and swiftly.
XThe closing performance of "Jekyll & amp; Hyde" is set for tonight at 8 at Edward W. Powers Auditorium. Call (330) 744-0264 for ticket information.