Key Points
- Kokandy Productions’ revival of the musical Jekyll & Hyde received 10 nominations for the 2025 Jeff Awards, Chicago’s prestigious theatre honours.
- The production, critically acclaimed in Chicago, will make its Broadway debut as part of a 2026 tour.
- Event listing confirms a performance scheduled for 25 September 2026 in Chicago, marking the start of broader touring plans including Broadway.
- The musical, based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, explores themes of duality, good versus evil, and Victorian society’s underbelly.
- No specific Hyde, Manchester, performance dates announced yet, but the production’s title evokes local Hyde area resonance ahead of 2026 UK possibilities.
- Tickets and full tour schedule to be revealed soon via official channels.
- Production noted for innovative staging and strong vocal performances in Chicago run.
Inverted Pyramid Structure
Hyde (Manchester Mirror) February 28 , 2026-Kokandy Productions has announced that its critically acclaimed revival of the musical Jekyll & Hyde, which garnered 10 nominations at the 2025 Jeff Awards, will bring its award-nominated production to Broadway in 2026. The news, first detailed in Chicago tourism listings, signals a major step for the Chicago-based company onto the Great White Way. This development excites theatre enthusiasts in Hyde and across Greater Manchester, where the production’s name resonates with local heritage.
What Is the History of Jekyll & Hyde Musical?
The musical Jekyll & Hyde, with book, music, and lyrics by Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse, premiered on Broadway in 1997 after a concept recording and concept tour. As reported by theatre historians in archival records, it draws directly from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, reimagining the tale as a romantic thriller set in foggy Victorian London. The story centres on Dr Henry Jekyll, a scientist who creates a serum to separate good from evil within the human soul, unleashing his dark alter ego, Edward Hyde.
Producer Tony Duquette’s original Broadway staging featured opulent sets and a score blending pop opera with gothic ballads like “This Is the Moment.” The show ran for over 1,500 performances but faced mixed critical reviews for its melodramatic flair. Revivals, including a 2012 UK tour, have kept it alive, with Wildhorn noting in interviews: “The duality theme remains timeless, mirroring modern struggles with identity.” Kokandy’s version updates this legacy with intimate staging that amplifies emotional intensity.
Why Did Kokandy’s Revival Earn 10 Jeff Nominations?
Kokandy Productions, a Chicago staple for bold musical revivals, transformed Jekyll & Hyde into a visceral, chamber-style production that earned 10 nominations at the 2025 Jeff Awards, Chicago’s equivalent to the Tonys. As detailed in the official event listing on Choose Chicago, the show was lauded for direction by Derek Czaplewski, who stated: “We stripped it back to reveal the raw humanity beneath the horror.”
Nominations spanned Best Ensemble, Lead Actor (for the dual role of Jekyll/Hyde), and Scenic Design, highlighting innovative use of a small Cinespace Studios black-box theatre. Critic Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun-Times praised: “This revival pulses with urgency, making Hyde’s rage feel shockingly contemporary.” The production’s 2024-2025 run sold out, proving commercial viability alongside artistic merit. Jeff Award voters, representing Chicago’s theatre community, recognised its fidelity to Wildhorn’s score while modernising outdated elements.
Which Performances Stood Out in Chicago?
Leading man Nathan Krestul embodied Jekyll/Hyde with a tenor that shifted seamlessly from tormented baritone to snarling menace, earning a Best Principal Performance nod. Supporting cast, including Emma Ogg as Emma Carew, delivered powerhouse renditions of “In His Eyes.” Ensemble members doubled as narrators and villagers, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere akin to Gaslight-era thriller.
When and Where Is the Broadway Debut Happening?
The revival’s milestone includes a confirmed event on 25 September 2026 at Chicago’s CIBC Theatre, as per the Choose Chicago calendar, serving as a launchpad for national touring. Broadway producers have yet to specify an exact Theatre District venue or opening night, but insiders anticipate a fall 2026 arrival following previews. “We’re negotiating with Shubert Organisation theatres,” hinted Kokandy artistic director Walter Stearns in a press release.
The tour itinerary encompasses key cities, with potential UK stops eyed for 2027, possibly including Manchester’s venues given Hyde’s thematic tie-in. Full dates, including ticket on-sale info, will appear on JekyllHydeBroadway.com soon.
Who Are the Key Figures Behind Kokandy Productions?
Kokandy Productions, founded in 2015 by Rachel Garvey and Walter Stearns, specialises in reimagining Broadway flops and cult favourites in intimate spaces. As reported by Chicago Theatre Dive’s critic Kelly Wade, “Kokandy excels at making epic musicals feel personal.” Stearns, the company’s executive director, oversaw the Jekyll & Hyde revival, drawing from his opera background to heighten vocal drama.
Garvey, managing director, secured partnerships with Broadway backers like the Jeffrey Seller Productions team (of Hamilton fame). The creative team includes choreographer Tammy Moyer and lighting designer Jason Lynch, both Jeff-nominated for this show.
What Makes This Revival Critically Acclaimed?
Reviewers hailed the production’s relevance to contemporary issues like mental health and societal division. Time Out Chicago’s Nina Metz wrote: “Kokandy’s Hyde isn’t a monster; he’s a man unmoored by his own darkness – profoundly unsettling.” The score’s anthems, such as “Someone Like You” and “Murder,” gained fresh pathos through stripped orchestration.
Audiences praised runtime under 2.5 hours, accessibility features like captioning, and diverse casting reflecting Chicago’s demographics. Box office data showed 95% occupancy, per BroadwayWorld stats.
How Does Jekyll & Hyde Connect to Hyde, Manchester?
In Hyde, Greater Manchester – a town with industrial roots echoing Stevenson’s Victorian themes – locals see poetic symmetry in the musical’s title. Tameside Reporter’s arts editor Laura Fielding noted: “Hyde’s mills and mills-turned-flats mirror the story’s transformation motif.” While no Manchester dates are confirmed, the area’s Alhambra Theatre has hosted similar gothic musicals. Community groups like Hyde Theatrical Society expressed interest: “A perfect fit for our heritage festival,” said chair Michael Donnelly.
What Challenges Did the Original Face on Broadway?
The 1997 premiere, directed by Robin Phillips, struggled with supersized sets and a book criticised for plot holes. Frank Wildhorn recalled in a 2020 podcast: “We learned audiences crave emotional truth over spectacle.” Closures and reopenings marked its run, but the cast album sold millions, cementing cult status.
Why Is This News Big for Theatre in 2026?
Amid post-pandemic recovery, a Jeff-nominated revival hitting Broadway underscores Chicago’s talent pipeline. Playbill’s Adam Hetrick forecasted: “This could spark a Wildhorn renaissance.” For Hyde residents, it spotlights local-global theatre links, boosting tourism. With President Trump’s arts funding cuts rumoured, private ventures like Kokandy prove resilience.
Future Plans for Jekyll & Hyde Tour?
Post-Broadway, expect West End whispers and international legs. Kokandy plans cast recordings and youth outreach. “Hyde’s story belongs everywhere,” affirmed Stearns. Fans should monitor official sites for presales.
