(This is a synopsis of the Broadway production)
ACT ONE
London, 1885. Dr. Henry Jekyll, a brilliant young doctor and research scientist, anguishes over his father’s inexplicable mental illness (Lost in the Darkness).
Jekyll is obsessed by the belief that, given appropriate support by his peers in the medical profession, he can separate the dual elements of good and evil that are constantly struggling for
supremacy inside every human being (“Facade“).
Jekyll presents his case to the highly conservative and unsympathetic Board of Governors of St. Jude’s Mental Hospital (“Henry’s Plea“). He needs to test his theories on a live human being. His request is unanimously and summarily rejected, except by the President of the Board, Sir Danvers Carew, Jekyll’s future father-in-law, who abstains from voting. The rest of the Board dismiss Jekyll as a dangerous radical. Jekyll’s closest friend and advisor, his lawyer John Utterson, sympathizes (“Pursue the Truth“).
The ill-feeling from the fateful encounter carries over into the evening at the glittering reception given by Sir Danvers to celebrate Jekyll’s engagement to his daughter Emma (“Emma’s Reasons“). Jekyll arrives late at the party, unrepentant. He tells Emma he is more determined than ever to pursue his course of action (“I Must Go On“/”Take Me As I Am“). Sir Danvers
discusses his concerns with Emma (“Letting Go“).
Utterson tries to take Jekyll’s mind off his problems by dragging him unwillingly to a disreputable East End Dockland dive called the “Red Rat” (“Facade Reprise 2“).
Among the girls working at the club is Lucy Harris, a disillusioned young soul who wants to make something of her life (“No One Knows Who I Am“). On the stage of the “Red Rat”, Lucy displays a vibrant personality as she sings an appropriately decadent song (“Good ‘n’ Evil“).
Jekyll is insenced when the club’s seedy owner, sinisterly known as The Spider, physically abuses Lucy in front of the customers. Consoling her, Jekyll gives her his card, should she ever need a
friend.
Returning home, Jekyll thanks Utterson for the dubious relaxation provided by the “Red Rat” episode. He decides to work late. He talk to Poole, his butler, of his father’s great qualities before
his present dark illness descended upon him. Jekyll’s mind is made up (“Now There Is No Choice“/”This is the Moment“).
In his laboratory, Jekyll records in his journal that he is making himself the subject of the experiment. He injects himself with the prepared formula (“First Transformation“). He is horrifyingly transformed into Edward Hyde. As Hyde, he exults in his new, evil and liberated
persona. (“Alive“).
Jekyll’s experiments continue. He disappears from society and become reclusive, unavailable even to his closest circle-Emma, Utterson, Poole, Sir Danvers. They are unaware of the demons he is dealing with as he remains isolated and locked away in his laboratory. Jekyll finally emerges, to be confronted by an anxious Utterson (“Your Work and Nothing More“).
Jekyll receives an unexpected visit from Lucy, who has been badly injured by a sadistic gentleman visitor to “The Red Rat”. Jekyll is apalled, and tenderly treats her wounds. Lucy says she will never forget the man’s name. . . “Hyde. . . Edward Hyde.” Jekyll is transfixed with horror. He completes her treatment. Overwhelmed by his kindness, she kisses him, at first in gratitude, then in passion (“Sympathy, Tenderness“). A confused Jekyll takes his leave of her. Lucy daydreams of her impossible relationship with Jekyll as she wanders the streets of London (“Someone Like You“).
Back in the seedier streets of London’s Dockland, Hyde interrupts a sordid liaison between The Bishop of Basingstoke, one of St. Jude’s Hospital Board of Governors, and a teeenage prostitute.
Hyde batters the hypocritical cleric to death and sets fire to his body in a frenzy of rage. Hyde has
become Jekyll’s Avenging Angel of Death (“Alive Reprise“).
ACT TWO
Hyde’s rampage of killing continues as he systematically assassinates further members of the Board of Governors of St. Jude’s Hospital (“Murder, Murder“). By the end of it, five of them are dead.
Emma, frantic with worry about her fiancé, enters Jekyll’s for-once unlocked laboratory, looking for him. She sees and reads his journal. Jekyll returns and is furious at her intrusion. Unaware of the truth, she soothes and encourages him, trying to bring him back to the path of reason (“Once Upon a Dream“). She will wait for him, however long it takes.
Emma departs. Jekyll records in his journal that the experiment is out of control. Utterson arrives, deeply concerned over Jekyll’s letter to him leaving everything he possesses to Hyde,
should anything ill befall Jekyll. Jekyll persuades Utterson to continue to have faith in the experiments. Utterson goes in search of the drugs Jekyll desperately needs from the pharmacist to continue his struggle against Hyde (“Obsession“).
Emma and Lucy separately and simultaneously sing of their deep but confused feelings for the man they both love. (“In His Eyes“).
Hyde comes to seek out Lucy. Disappointed, hoping against hope that she will see Jekyll, Lucy is nonetheless irresistibly attracted to Hyde. (“Dangerous Game“) (“Facade Reprise 3“).
Utterson returns to Jekyll’s lab with the drugs from the pharmacist, to find Hyde waiting for him. Utterson refuses to give the drugs to anyone except Jekyll. Trapped, Hyde has no other option than to reveal himself to Utterson. He injects himself and reverts back to Jekyll before the horrified eyes of his friend. Jekyll gives him a farewell letter to Lucy, begging her to leave London at once. He believes that with the new drugs he can finally destroy Hyde. Utterson hurries away
on his errand of mercy. (“The Way Back“).
Utterson reads Jekyll’s letter to the illiterate Lucy and beseeches her to do Jekyll’s bidding and leave London with the money he has set her, and start a new life elsewhere. Lucy, left alone, considers her frail future (“A New Life“).
Hyde arrives and taunts Lucy for her realtionship with Jekyll. Singing to her soothingly, he stabs her viciously to death as his voice rises to a frenzied pitch of fury. (“Sympathy, Tenderness Reprise“).
Back in his lab, Jekyll knows he has entered the very gates of Hell. The voice of Hyde is now within him, and the two halves of his broken soul engage in a desperate final battle for supremacy.
(“Confrontation“) Jekyll trades Hyde blow for bitter blow, determined not to succumb to his evil alter ego. (“Facade Reprise 4“).
And back from the edge of Death he comes, to the sound of wedding bells. Jekyll stands at the altar, before an elegant congregation of friends, with his beautiful bride Emma at his side. As the
wedding service begins, the evil spirit of Hyde wells up inside him yet once more and takes over him, to the horror of the assembled guests. Hyde claims victory–“There is no Henry Jekyll–only Edward Hyde!” Hyde strangles one of the guests and threatens to kill Emma.
Emma speaks calmly to the Jekyll deep within Hyde, and knows he will not harm her. The Jekyll in Hyde hears her, and somehow finds the strength to let her go. Utterson unsheathes his swordstick. Hyde begs his old friend to end his suffering and set them all free. Utterson cannot do it. Hyde runs on to his sword, and falls, mortally wounded.
Emma cradles him in her arms. Jekyll’s voice and persona return to him as his life slips away and he speaks his final word, “Emma. . .” She hold him close and comforts him. . . “Rest now, my tormented love,” as he dies in her embrace. (“Finale“)