Chicago Tribune
- Somewhat Recommended
"...for this show to work as written, you mostly need huge voices in the lead roles, accompanied by some titillating sensual writhing and a few nods toward notions of duality. Bohemian has the seriousness of intent and plenty of writhing, but not the huge voices. This is a very young and, for the most part, vocally immature cast."
Chicago Sun Times
- Recommended
"...This is the best production of the show that you will perhaps ever see. There are still problems with the book, pacing and characterization that only a massive re-write would fix, but Genovese’s production is just clever enough that you don’t always notice the show’s many fault lines."
Chicago Reader
- Somewhat Recommended
"...The Bohemian Theatre Ensemble's intimate "reconceptualization" of this 1997 Broadway hit seeks to highlight the theme of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel: the duality of human nature. But director Stephen M. Genovese's talented young cast--including accomplished pop singer Courtney Crouse as kindly Dr. Jekyll and his bestial alter ego, Mr. Hyde--can't redeem Frank Wildhorn's banal sub-Andrew Lloyd Webber melodies or Leslie Bricusse's hackneyed lyrics and stilted script (which owes less to Stevenson's original than to numerous unfaithful film adaptations)."
Windy City Times
- Recommended
"...Wildhorn's melodies, both sweet and stirring, are serviceable enough, but what liberates this pastiche from derivative parody is the care, industry and sheer adrenaline expended by director Stephen M. Genovese and the Bohemian Theatre Ensemble toward retaining the grim social criticism intended by Robert Louis Stevenson, its original author."
Chicago Free Press
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Stephen M. Genovese has directed the heavily expository (and hard-to-follow) first third of the play rather limply, but this production finds its evil footing once Jekyll unleashes Hyde. Ultimately, smart direction, technical brilliance and a powerful lead performer somewhat save this “Jekyll & Hyde” from the doldrums of its script."
Gay Chicago Magazine
- Somewhat Recommended
"...To fully sell a score that so generously borrows from so many other sources, you need a cast that can truly belt out the tunes, like those little poppers that you pull the string and they explosively release the confetti. Sadly, the likable cast scoops and fishes to find the right notes, delivering the kind of fervent singing one finds during a long road trip. This works in the car and even impresses in the shower but doesn’t quite cut it on stage. None of the singers are terrible but no one is terrific, except for John B. Leen. His performance of John Utterson, sidekick friend to Jekyll, is a bolstering baritone breath of fresh air."
EpochTimes
- Highly Recommended
"...BoHo ( Bohemian Theatre Ensemble) follows its previous sold out shows with a stirring production of "Jekyll & Hyde-The Musical", a theatrical phenomenon conceived for stage by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn with book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and music by Frank Wildhorn. This is indeed a large undertaking for this youthful cast but under the direction of Stephen M. Genovese, they have put together a solid production."
Centerstage
- Recommended
"...We all know the legend: Dr. Henry Jekyll is destined to separate the two natures of man. Refused help by his peers and local hospital board, he begins experimenting on himself. Although he first meets with success, disaster looms. The story has been filmed, parodied, staged, even animated, but setting it to music helps lift the story to new heights, and BOHO's adept cast doesn't hurt."
Time Out Chicago
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Bohemian Theatre Ensemble’s Jekyll & Hyde is a frustrating experience. Once again, director Stephen Genovese has assembled a talented cast and surrounded it with a high-quality production. It’s a pity he’s marshaled these assets in the service of an inferior show."
ChicagoCritic
- Somewhat Recommended
"...BoHo Theatre’s self proclaimed ‘unique stamp’ on “Jekyll & Hyde – The Musical” was a brave attempt to reconceptualize the gothic tale. The result was a show that had major tone shifts. It is part campy dark comedy in the Rocky Horror fashion complete with the actors wearing dark eye shadow make up. The cast player their camp in a gay oriented swishy manner while the leads maintained serious dramatic tones."
Chicago Stage and Screen
- Highly Recommended
"...Courtney Crouse did an impeccable job both vocally and artistically transforming Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde in a seamless manner. I especially enjoyed Crouse's enthusiasm when singing "Alive" with the accompaniment of the cast where the first transformation is taken. I always felt his emotion in a powerful, heartfelt way that really brought Jekyll/Hyde to life. Brenda Didier's choreography was effective and original using everything from bodies lying on the floor to breathing deeply and making evil noises that added to the gothic feel throughout the whole play."
