Ballet West’s edgy ‘Jekyll & Hyde’

Following last season’s sold-out performances of Dracula, Ballet West is set to captivate audiences once again with the premiere of a bold new interpretation of Jekyll & Hyde. Running from October 25 to November 2 at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre, this daring psychological thriller promises a haunting and visceral experience, just in time for the Halloween season.

Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s 19th-century novella, Val Caniparoli’s full-length ballet offers a unique and intense exploration of the human psyche. Unlike traditional balletic storytelling, Jekyll & Hyde delves deep into the battle between good and evil, challenging the boundaries of classical dance.

“This is a great piece of literature that will bring a completely new theatrical experience that most people have never seen before,” said Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute. “It is a complex adult thriller with strong sexual content meant for mature audiences only.”

Caniparoli’s vision goes beyond the usual dual portrayal of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The ballet employs two dancers to embody the contrasting sides of Jekyll’s character: the benevolent doctor and his sinister alter ego, Hyde. This dual representation amplifies the psychological conflict at the heart of the story, exploring the theme of inner darkness and the fragile line between good and evil in all of humanity.

“Stevenson’s story reflects his own struggles, serving as a reminder that these battles are universal,” Caniparoli noted.

The ballet further pushes the envelope by visualizing Jekyll’s descent into madness through surreal, almost hallucinatory sequences. These moments take the audience inside the mind of a man grappling with mental instability, touching on modern themes of addiction and psychological trauma.

Accompanying the dark and evocative choreography is a powerful musical score performed live by the Ballet West Orchestra. The soundtrack features a mix of orchestral pieces and solo piano works by composers such as Frédéric Chopin, Henryk Górecki, Wojciech Kilar, Krzysztof Penderecki, and Henryk Wieniawski, adding layers of emotional depth to the production.

Only the fourth ballet company worldwide to stage Caniparoli’s Jekyll & Hyde, Ballet West is poised to deliver an unforgettable production that has already garnered praise for its “appropriately nightmarish” qualities, according to Broadway World.

Tickets for Jekyll & Hyde start at $30 and can be purchased through balletwest.org. Please note that the production is recommended for audiences aged 15 and older due to themes of psychological trauma, violence, and explicit sexual content. Though unfortunately, there is no nudity.