So it's been nearly two weeks since Jekyll and Hyde closed at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, CA and I miss the cast, crew, and show itself. I was blessed to play the part of Lucy, a character I've always wanted to portray, but never thought I'd get the chance. The production went through some scary spells. Three weeks into rehearsals, the actor playing Jekyll pitched a temper tantrum (in front of me, my double, two directors, and the stage manager) and quit after sending a highly uprofessional email. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Geoffrey Going stepped up (he was actually the first choice but had conflicts with the first few weeks of rehearsal) and blew me away. He's a very giving actor, has a fabulous voice and really took over the part, not to mention, he isn't bad to look at either.
This part was daunting. Lucy has some very recognizable ballads and I was definitely afraid that I'd be compared to powerhouse Linda Eder, who originated the role and for whom these songs were especially written. I was also afraid that I would not be able to make Lucy a character the audience would relate to. I worried about having chemistry with Geoff and was worried about being compared with Lauren's portrayal of Lucy. Luckily, Kabrina, the assistant director, was kind enough to volunteer to work with both of us one on one. I took full advantage, coming to rehearsal an hour early, or even driving up on days when I didn't have rehearsal. We worked on who Lucy was, what drives her, her attitudes about/towards, Jekyll, Hyde, and her future. She helped me block and set movements for "Bring on the Men" the big dance number in the show. She helped me with all my dialogue so that the lines had meaning and gave my fellow actors more to work with. The work I was most proud of was the scene and dialogue when Lucy comes to Jekyll for help after being beaten up by Hyde.
The preview performance was an experience. I have never been so nervous for a performance before. I actually broke down and cried (not just nerves but fellow castmates dissing my religion) but Kabrina was there with a hug and a pep talk. My mom and sister Sarah had flown into town that day and were in the audience, as well as my friends, Allana, Julia, Teace, and boyfriend, Jon. During "Bring on the Men" My boot went through one of the holes in my skirt and I actually fell on my butt! I continued singing, got to my feet, and finished the number. The next "incident" happened when I meet Hyde on the street and take him to the pub where we are to sit and have a drink, just like when Lucy met Jekyll. As the lights came up, we realized there was no table, chairs, or drinks. We continued with the scene singing about toasting which Geoff dealt with as Hyde, which entailed sucking on my fingers and licking my arm. Needless to say, both of us were ready to smack whomever backstage had forgotten to bring out the table. The worst moment was after intermission. Somehow, the orchestra had not heard the "places" call and were still outside when the actors started Act II. The two actors finished their opening monologues, but there was no musical cue and they just had to stand there. In the awkward silence the audience could hear members of the orchestra asking if we'd started already, cursing, and then the pounding of feet as they ran downstairs and into the pit. In spite of all the issues, my cheering section gave me quite the reception when I came out for my bow.
All in all, my mom and Sarah saw the show 4 times, Jon saw it 3, my dad saw it 3 (only 1 with me as Lucy)my friends, Mike and Kirstina Collins, Robb and Deb Meath, Sam (jon's roomie), Jonas Sills and his adorable daughter, Emily, and even Jerry and Eileen Powell (parents of an ex) came to see me play the "red-headed" ho. I was not ready to leave this role or this cast, and I can only pray I have the opportunity to perform this role again.
