Since its founding in 2016 by Bonnie Grice, Boots on the Ground Theater has produced an eclectic series of plays ranging from the drama "The Miracle Worker" to the comedy-mystery "Sherlock's Secret Life." Its new production, Lauren Wilson's "Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll & Hyde Play," falls into the latter category, and will run from Friday through Oct. 30 at the Southampton Cultural Center.
The retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale leavens the original story with madcap comedy. In a review of a recent production at the Exit Theatre, the San Francisco Examiner said, "There’s nothing like live actors; gushing, gloriously red fake blood, and real laughs to make for an evening of exhilarating entertainment. Such is the case with 'Chemical Imbalance,' an inventive, original comedy of horrors by Lauren Wilson."
"I'm so excited to bring Stevenson's classic to life onstage," said Ms. Grice, who was for two decades a host and producer at 88.3 WPPB-FM. "It's his story, but with many twists and turns. It's horror meets farce with some Keystone Kops and a little drag thrown in for good measure."
Directed by Mark Heidemann and produced by Ms. Grice, the play features Colin Palmer as Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde; Ms. Grice as Euphronia Jekyll; Zoe Richardson as Ambrosia Jekyll; Esmeralda Cabrera as Rosamunda Dewthistle; Christian Lepore as Lady Throckmortonshire; Bela Gogiashvili as Calliope/Penelope; Tom Gregory as Xavier Utterson/Lieutenant; Gerri Wilson as Ivy; Nicholas Auletti as Plodgett, and Frederick Nydegger as Constable.
Performances will take place Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and on Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $35, $25 for students under 21.
