This show is murder; Not really, but Summer Place warns `Jekyll and Hyde' is more intense than the usual musical

"This is not your typical Summer Place Show," warned Jim Heatherly, director of the upcoming production of "Jekyll and Hyde" at Summer Place Theater in Naperville.

"This isn't `Little Mermaid' -- this is murder and mayhem mixed into a glorious musical." "Jekyll and Hyde," which opens today and runs weekends through Aug. 14, has been cautiously rated PG due to the nature of the subject matter.

The musical chronicles the adventures of a brilliant young doctor who wants to isolate the dual elements of good and evil and suffers devastating effects in the process. There are eight murders in the show.

"While there is violence, there is no gore or blood," Heatherly said. "These are theatrical murders. It follows the storyline of the book. It is

more like a modern opera than a musical. In classic opera, everyone dies and bodies pile up everywhere. `Sweeney Todd' is a lot more violent. Four of the murders in this show happen during a song. And the characters who are murdered are all horrid people who are getting their just deserts. It is a story of love, loss and redemption more than murder."

Heatherly has tweaked a few of the elements of the show. "In the original show, all the murders are stabbings. I changed them all so each murder is different. We have even built a gallows for one part ... but I don't want to give it all away," he said.

The show is set in the late 1800s and Heatherly has worked with his crew to accurately depict this period with costumes and sets.

"I have been so fortunate with this show," Heatherly said. "We sent away for period costumes and ended up getting many of the costumes from the original show. We needed a bridal gown, too, and I was walking by an antique store in downtown Naperville. I was looking for period things for the show and the person with me pointed out a 100-year-old gown being displayed in the window. It looked small but I had the actress try it on and it fit perfectly. We were able to use it for the show. I think this will be the most elaborate production that Summer Place has ever done."

A 15-piece orchestra will provide music for the show.

"There are 42 pieces of music in this show -- 23 songs," Heatherly said. "The duet by the two female leads in the show, `In His Eyes,' is absolutely beautiful. Actually, there are 50 people in the cast and every single one can sing, so the audience is going to be blown away with all the songs in this show."

Steve Calzaretta of Arlington Heights plays the dual role of Jekyll and

Hyde. He has appeared in professional and community theater shows.

"I make the change from Jekyll to Hyde on the stage and the wig helps,"

Calzaretta said. "It is real human hair and looks like it is my own hair.

When I am Jekyll, it is pulled back all prim and proper in a ponytail but

then when Hyde comes out, the ponytail goes and the hair gets wild."

Calzaretta changes his voice, posture and appearance with convincing speed.

"It's hard to say whether I like Jekyll or Hyde the best," he said. "All the women like the bad guy. The hardest part is at the end of the show when I fight with myself."

Others in the cast include Elizabeth Lanza of Wheaton as Lucy Harris; Monica Szaflik of Lisle as Emma Carew; and Michael Doll of Naperville as John Utterson. The Board of Governors characters are portrayed by Zachary Miller of Elburn, Steve Zeidler of Lombard, Kimberly Moorman of Oswego, Kyle De La Cruz of Homer Glen, Matt Whalen of Darien and Joe Tokarz and Martin Gonzalez of Oak Park.

Red Rat characters include Timothy Mullen of Hinsdale; Deanna Reed of Chicago; Tricia McConnell of Oswego; Margaret Wimp of Downers Grove; Lauren Fijol of Lemont; Stephanie Sexauer of Homer Glen; James Ball of Grayslake; Mitchell Davis and Hillary Stein of Glen Ellyn; and Lori Chanay-Klose, Annaliisa Ahlman and Jeff Victor of Naperville.

Other members of the cast include Sarah Conrad and Diane Reger of Aurora; Linda Miller of Elburn; Valerie Meachum of Elgin; Ellen Kirwan of Carol Stream; John Grieco of Glen Ellyn; Marc Halata of Lockport; Jack Bentley of Downers Grove; Bill Klideris of Homer Glen; Matt Rocush and Brian Case of Lisle; Jim Reinhardt of Winfield; Tom Foiles of Wood Dale; Mike Krcil of Addison; Runako Robinson of Oak Park; Stephanie Burns of Palos Park; Patricia Davoren of Lemont; Barbara Bonomo of Addison; and Cynthia Katz, Stephanie Rohr, Irene Servose, Amanda Walsh, Matt Colbert and Brett Baleski of Naperville.

"This is a great cast and a great show," Heatherly said. "It will be the best $15 anyone ever spent."

`JEKYLL AND HYDE'

When: Nine weekend performances will be presented through Aug. 14. Friday and Saturday shows will be at 8 p.m. and Sunday shows will be at 2 p.m.

Where: Naperville Central Auditorium, at the corner of Aurora Avenue and West Street.

FYI: Patti Shore Kaden will be signing in American Sign Language at the

Saturday and Aug. 14 performances.

How much? $15 for adults; $12 for seniors and students.

Call: (630) 355-7969.