Jekyll & Hyde performed at SUNY Old Westbury

Take a multiracial, multiethnic diverse cast of professional singers and actors, and pair them with SUNY Old Westbury students who are learning theater technology and backstage work, throw in a story about good vs. evil, and you have just a twinkle of an idea of the experience called “Jekyll & Hyde, The Musical.” With a Broadway set, original Broadway props, and a full orchestra, this production promises to be delightfully entertaining.

Local actors in starring roles
The musical boasts a cast from New York City, mixed with a good sprinkling of talented regional area actors.
David Groeger, a longtime resident of Long Beach, plays Bishop of Basingstoke in this production. As a leading player with the Gilbert and Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island, he has previously appeared in, among other shows: “Pirates of Penzance,” “A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol,” and worked as co-director of the hit revue “Midtown to the Met, The Best of Broadway and Opera.” With the BroadHollow Theatre Company, Groeger has appeared in “The Odd Couple,” “My Favorite Year,” “Evita,” and “Annie.”

“It is a privilege to work with such a professional and talented ensemble,” said Groeger of his Jekyll & Hyde experience. “It’s comforting to know that everyone around you is on the top of their game … it’s a lot of work, a lot of hours and not an easy piece to perform. But in the end, that is what is going to make it all the more special.”
Marni Strump of East Meadow agreed. “After graduating from college in May, it’s nice to have a production so close to home that you can be proud of,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for a more talented, fun, and truly caring group of people to work with.”
Strump, who graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a BA in Theatre Arts, said some of her favorite roles have included playing Sally in “Reefer Madness,” Susan in “Company,” Magenta in “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” and Laurey in “Oklahoma!”
Oceanside resident Sal Canepa, who was featured earlier this year in the Herald’s “Stepping Out” section for his fine choreography in the Island Park Theatre Group’s “On Broadway – A Musical Revue,” has been cast as a member of the ensemble as well as the dance captain for Jekyll & Hyde.
“It’s the best ensemble to sing and play with,” said Canepa. “An extremely talented group of people who can sing and act incredibly well.”
Canepa has choreographed, musically directed and performed in numerous productions across Long Island such as “Gypsy,” “Into the Woods,” “42nd Street,” “Crazy For You,” “Nunsense,” and “The Pajama Game.” His film credits include “Sex and the City,” “Witness to the Mob,” and “Video Zone.” Canepa works as an RN at Winthrop Hospital on the open heart surgical team.
Chris Leidenfrost-Wilson, of Baldwin, has been cast as Simon Stride in Jekyll & Hyde. He is an actor, singer, musician, designer, and all-around busy guy whose career has stretched from Toronto to Cancun. He is currently part of “LMAO-Off Broadway” in New York, and has just finished his sixth season with the company of the New York Renaissance Faire.
“It’s been a wonderful experience getting to work with this very dynamic and talented cast,” Leidenfrost-Wilson said of Jekyll & Hyde. Jon [Grodeski] has been a delightful director, and the production staff is incredibly dedicated to the production and its success. Geraldine [Hackett] is by far the best costumer I’ve ever worked with on Long Island – this show is worth seeing just for her amazing work!”
Leidenfrost-Wilson said that he came to this project completely unfamiliar with the show, and thinks that the creative team and cast have done a tremendous job creating this “vivid, Victorian nightmare.” Some of his past roles include playing Sweeney Todd in “Sweeney Todd,” Lancelot in “Camelot,” and Pavel Riccardino in the world premiere of “Hockey: The Musical.”
Other local thespians in the cast include Jaclyn Blair of Long Beach, an ensemble player who has worked in television and stage, making her New York debut as Ellen in “Miss Saigon”; and Bellmore resident Andrea Galeno, who has performed nationally and with rehabilitation groups, among many other credits, and is a teacher at Division Avenue High School in Levittown.
“This is going to be quite an amazing production,” said Grodeski.

Catch the show!
“Jekyll and Hyde, The Musical” from DDB Productions, Inc., starring David Yudell and Emily Nadler, opens Nov. 4 at SUNY Old Westbury’s Maguire Theatre. It will run for 19 shows through February 2011. The Executive Producer is Beverly Bell, assisted by Director and Choreographer Jon Grodeski, with Musical Director Karen Yelany.
For more information, visit www.Jekyllandhydelongisland.com or call
(866) 811-4111.