Rating: 
Summary: A Pastiche of Borrowed Ideas & Awkward Concepts
Review: Developed by composer Frank Wildhorn and lyricist Leslie Bricusse, JEKYLL & HYDE proved a popular ticket at Houston's Alley Theatre in 1990--and after a concept album, several more regional productions, and numerous rewrites it opened in New York's Plymouth Theatre in 1997.Although critics admired several of the performers, they did not admire the show itself, and audience reaction was very mixed. Canny marketing and hardcore fans kept the doors open, but by 2001 the situation became acute, and television star and pop singer David Hasselhoff was cast in a last ditch effort to stem the tide. Many of the show's fans complain that Hasselhoff killed the play, which closed not long after this 2001 cable-television version captured his performance. At the time, Hasselhoff had little stage experience, and his weakness shows. But for all Hasselhoff's awkwardness (which is now and then unintentionally hilarious), the real problem with the show was the show itself. JEKYLL & HYDE is certainly one of the most derivative shows in recent memory, and Wildhorn borrows so liberally from other musicals that it's a wonder he wasn't sued. The show's opening sounds remarkably like the opening of LES MISERABLES; "Facade" might have been lifted directly from PHANTOM OF THE OPERA; "In His Eyes" is akin to a watered down "I Know Him So Well" from CHESS. In each case, Wildhorn also waters down the musical ideas he has borrowed, and the result is light pop pure and simple. Indeed, the show's centerpiece, "This Is The Moment," sounds exactly like the sort of thing Debbie Boone might have recorded twenty years ago. Nor is there any salvation in the lyrics, which range from tepid to flatly misguided, or the script, which is remarkably unimaginative. Not only do the musical, lyrical, and script ideas argue with each other, they argue with the visual style of the show itself. It seems very strange to hear something that sounds very much like 1980s American pop music and contemporary slang emerge from men in frocktail coats and women wearing bustles. The show looks quite a bit like an up-side SWEENY TODD, but it sounds very much like something your local high school might do. It's all very awkward. The supporting cast is quite good here, but they're fighting an uphill battle against both Hasselhoff and the show itself, and the only surprising thing about JEKYLL & HYDE is that it lasted on the stage for as long as it did. Unless you're a diehard fan of either Hasselhoff or the show itself, you'd really do better to purchase a cast recording from one of the many shows it mimics than bother with this DVD. Two stars for the production values and the supporting cast, but that's all. GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Rating: 
Summary: Amateur Critics One And All
Review: I have a very fresh impression of this DVD, having just seen it two evenings ago. Unlike many of the critics here, I have more compassion for Mr. Hasselhoff than they do. Clearly, David put both his heart and soul into this performance. I was moved both emotionally and spritually by his performance and appreciate most of all that he didn't let the so-called professional critics hold him back from taking on this immense task. Thankfully, he did take it on, and did a most admirable job of it. Having seen him in many other venues, I believe he has pulled off the performance of a lifetime for himself. What a shame that some people expect too much from an actor; And double shame to those that criticise Mr. hasselhoff as being inadequate on the stage, and that he also lacks voice capability; Quite the contrary. This production need not be in the top eschelon of Broadway shows to be both entertaining, moving, and wonderful to watch. Yet, when compared to the strange oddity of "Cats", and some others, this show really shines. Give it a chance; Appreciate the effort; and be thankful that someone, at least, had the talent and desire to give this artful effort a larger audience.
Rating:
Summary: Not entirely David's fault
Review: Sure, David Hasselhoff was not the best. Sure there were problems with everybody else. However, I can not blame them. If you really want to find the person responsible for such mediocre performances, find the person responsible for such a mediocre score. And that man would be Frank Wildhorn. He has written a string of insipid bland music that artists like Celine Dion and Whitney Houston were probably just drooling to claim as their own. This was a show, as Forbidden Broadway very correctly stated, for people who found Andrew Lloyd Webber's music too challenging, "It's Phantom Lite." This is also a show that ran for about four years on Broadway and never returned it's initial investment, which technically classifies it as a flop.
However, I must throw in a little defense for this. People have complained about the over-acting, broad gestures, and other such things. You must remember, this was not a movie. This is a musical, being performed live onstage in the Plymouth Theatre, which is not a small theatre by any means. All these things, which look rather ridiculous in a film, played much better when you had some distance between yourself and the actors, not a camera that was up in their faces. This is the inherent problem you will get when you film a Broadway show live and must be remembered when looking at the acting.
Rating: 
Summary: A decent performance of an incredible show.
Review: To start off, I must confess that I am a huge fan of Jekyll & Hyde...I would consider it my second favorite musical (after Les Miserables, and who could honestly beat that?). So when I saw that there was a version on VHS, I was thrilled! However, perhaps I have been spoiled with the greats from the original cast, such as the exquisite Robert Cuccioli and heart-wrenching Linda Eder. I felt that Hasselhoff began on a low note (his "Lost in the Darkness" was horrible), and he didn't get much better throughout...but I didn't think he was excruciatingly painful. Nor did I feel that he completely ruined the performance. There were some numbers that were beautifully done. "Facade" remains one of my favorite numbers, with a solid chorus to pull it off. "His Work and Nothing More" was fantastic! Andrea Rivette as Emma stood out through the entire show...her portrayal of Emma Carew (who is always overshadowed by Lucy) was so honest and chilling at points. Her version of "Once Upon a Dream" was so simplistically beautiful that I couldn't help crying. She lent a distinct personality to a character that often is discredited. At least she was given the very last lines of the show.... In addition, I felt that John Utterson (unfortunately I do not recall the name of the actor) had an amazing voice. His voice added a depth and richness generally lacking (as a whole) throughout the rest of the show. It was a breath of fresh air in some scenes. Coleen Sexton, as the tragically impoverished Lucy, adds a depth to her role that I loved. While her singing occasionally felt pushed, her acting was especially lovely. I found myself on the verge of tears after "A New Life," in which I finally was able to sympathize with her... As a whole, I think this recording was a good one, and I would certainly prefer it over nothing. I think we must all look past Hasselhoff and give credit where it is deserved.
Rating:
Summary: Hasselhoff Me! Please!
Review: One was having a particularly difficult time getting out of bed early this morning. One was having anguished thoughs about one's job at the massage parlor, particularly the difficulty in keeping one's kimono clean. One called in sick and went back to bed, when, "ding dong" the doorbell rang, and the magnum opus of Mr Robert Louis Stevenson's imagination arrived courtesy of Fed Ex! One finally got out of bed, signed for the package, watched the five-o-clock news, and <tingling> with anticipation, put the DVD into the player. One was not disappointed. One imagines that Mr Hasshoffler was exactly what Mr RL Stevenson originally envisioned when the worthy scribe first started mixing lanadaum with opium and <dreamed> up this this towering paragon of munificent masuclinity and bountiful hair that is Mr Hyde. One belives that it has taken all this time to find the <perfect> actor to play this towering pillar of manhood. Who else could carry all that rage and potential virility through an entire 2 hour musical? Who else but out very own Mr Hassassoffler? One imagines that "Knight Rider" and "Baywatch" existed for the sole purpose of training and preparing our own Mr Hassloft for the role of both his and Our's lifetimes. One feels quite refreshed. One is prepared to go to work now. One also recommends the "Looking For" album by Mr Hasselhop. The 6th track, "Hot Shot City" is particularly good.
Rating:
Summary: Ugh....
Review: First I'm going to say I never saw or heard this musical before I saw it on DVD. I bought it because I've heard good things about the musical. BIG MISTAKE!!! I thought the music was good in most parts, but David Hasselhoff is just terrible. I can't believe that they cast him in the musical. Let alone make the video with him in it. It's the first time some people (like me) will hear it or see it.
I'm not that sorry I own it, though, for two reasons: Coleen Sexton and Andrea Rivette. They have have amazing voices. Too bad that David has to come in and ruin most of their songs. The only two songs in here without him that are worth listening to are "In His Eyes" and "A New Life." Although now I like a lot of other songs from the musical, these are the only two I can stand on the DVD. Final note, those two actresses almost make up for the price of the DVD, but David Hasselhoff will gain no fans for the show.
Rating:
Summary: Stop to bad comments about Hasselhoff's performance
Review: Dear friends,
i saw that no italian people wrote comments, and i like to be first... i have either Original broadway CD Recording (within Cuccioli, Noll, Eder) and VHS within Hasselhoff & C....
i not agree with the bad comments about Hasselhoff's performance... he was great, expecially in Hyde role... and i cannot imagine that he was the cuase of of show closing in NY...
maybe we must forget he was a "Baywatcher"...
as it regards the show and its characters, i believe that everyone is OK... Emma and Lucy are great (but Christianne and Linda are magic)...
thank you for listening... and "come on" David...
Rating:
Summary: Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical
Review: I JUST LOVED THIS DVD. I WATCHED IT OVER AND OVER. 5 STARS ALL THE WAY!
Rating:
Summary: You need to stay open-minded!
Review: Hasselhoff is great in this play if you get rid of the thought of him running along the beach in Baywatch. This is how I came to loving this play; I was flipping through the channels on TV. Nothing good was on and I had noticed that a play called Jekyll and Hyde:The Musical had been running for days. So I decided to watch it. I atomatically fell in love with it. I didn't even know who David Hasselhoff was! I had never heard of him before. When I saw this play I thought he was outstanding. Today I have seen Knight Rider and a couple of episodes of Baywatch. Hasselhoff does have a nack for choosing cheezy role but this was not one of them. If you clear all past shows/movies with David in them and think of him as a brand new actor on TV he is wonderful. I love all the songs. They have brought them to a faster tempo than the OBC CD. I love that! Jekyll and Hyde:The Musical is magnificent!!!! Anyone who loves the music and production will love this DVD! Read my other review in the VHS.
Rating:
Summary: The words "David Haselhoff" should be warning enough...
Review: Anyone who says that Hasselhoff was not as bad as everyone said is right.
He's worse.
The man cannot sing. But that's OK. Its just a Broadway musical. Its not like vocal talent is a must-have, or even needed to entertain! Your laughter will drown out the sounds of his nasal whining, the producers are sure.
Ohh, didn't we tell you? "Jekyll and Hyde" is not the "gothic musical thriller" everyone's been calling it. Its actually a comedy! You'll roar with laughter as David Hasselhoff plays Dr. Jekyll, [yeah, like beach boy's smart enough to even get IN to medical school, let alone be a brilliant scientist] mindlessly twitching and convulsing like a lightning victim on stage as he "transforms" into Mr. Hyde. And just wait until he practically humps a [rightfully] bewildered Coleen Sexton [as Hyde's infatuation Lucy, a prostitute in love with Jekyll but just as attracted to the serial killer Hyde] like a rabid dog as she tries to sing "Dangerous Game." Sexton's acting is exquisite, but even her talent can't mask that she's more irritated and frightened by Hyde's goofy facial expressions and heavy breathing than his supposed threatening stance.
And while we're on the subject of Coleen Sexton, it has to be said that she is not Linda Eder. As previously stated, her acting is really stellar - she really manages to flesh Lucy out, quite a feat considering the scant amount of lines she has. However, she tries too hard to tackle the notes Eder could belt out effortlessly, and most of the time ends up singing out of key. Still, Sexton's performance is praiseworthy, especially for someone so young. [she was only 21 when she won Lucy as her first leading Broadway role] Hopefully we'll be seeing more from her - as long as she stays in her vocal range next time.
Really, the most consistently wonderful of the three leads is Andrea Rivette, who is sadly underused in script and underrated as far as reviews go. As Jekyll's fiance Emma Carew, Rivette's singing is hearbreakingly beautiful - it is as sharp and as lovely as Emma herself. Her acting is solid, and its truly a shame she doesn't have more solos and scenes.
Although this isn't the original, critically acclaimed cast, all the supporting characters are fantastic. Sadly, Mr. Surf N' Sand drove the play to its close, and this performance captured on tape shows us why. Its not enough that Sexton is beautiful and talented enough to make Lucy human, nor does it matter that Rivette's singing sends chills down your spine over and over again. Hasselhoff cannot pull it off. So don't buy this unless you're really curious, or have mentally prepared yourself for a letdown.
|
