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Jekyll and Hyde
Original Broadway Cast
Starring Robert Cuccioli, Linda Eder, and Christiane Noll
Music by Frank Wildhorn
Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
31 Tracks
Personally, I like this CD. Some people hate it because they saw Robert Cuccioli live, and they say he was so much better live that the CD really sucks for them. Well… I never saw him live, so I can't say! But I like it. It's the CD with the best representation of how the songs actually are in the show. I enjoy listening to this CD for many reasons. Christiane Noll is a fabulous Emma, first of all; I know Emma doesn't have much of a role, but she's great in everything that's there. Cuccioli is… different. I don't know. I definitely feel his voice isn't as good as Anthony Warlow's (read my review of the Jekyll and Hyde Complete Work), but something about Cuccioli's performance still makes me want to listen to it fairly often. Acting, I suppose… although Warlow is phenomenal at acting the role on CD too. Demmit, I just like it, OK? Linda Eder is good as Lucy… as she is on every J&H CD. George Merrit as Utterson is fabulous, as is Barrie Ingham as Sir Danvers.
I like most of the songs… the ensemble numbers, "Façade" and "Murder, Murder," have a more complicated harmony arrangement here than they do on the Complete Work, and it sounds better. I tend to miss it when I listen to the CW. One song I have problems with is "Good 'N' Evil." It's an OK song, I guess – kind of catchy, even – but it doesn't fit the context at all. "Bring on the Men" is so much better, I don't get why they took it out. I mean, obviously "Good 'N' Evil" reflects on the plot more, etc. etc., but seriously! The whole darn show is spent singing about good and evil. Jekyll sings about it, Emma sings about it, Utterson sings about it, Sir Danvers sings about it… even the ensemble sings about it. In fact, Lucy sings a little about it later. But can't we have a little time out? Must they beat the theme into our heads with a sledgehammer? Don't we get credit for at least minimal intelligence?
Anyway… other than that I like the CD very much. So the final verdict would have to be get it if you are a J&H fan. If you only want one J&H CD, go for the Complete Work, but if you have any inclination at all to own more than one I would suggest picking this up somewhere!
Also see my reviews of the Jekyll and Hyde Complete Work, Bremen Cast, and Madrid Cast CDs.
