Photos: JEKYLL & HYDE Opens to Standing Ovations at Rose Center Theater

🎭 NEW! Costa Mesa Theatre Newsletter

Rose Center Theater’s production of Jekyll & Hyde opened Friday, June 12, to a full house and standing ovations in Westminster, CA. Patrons lingered well after the house lights came up, and audience feedback poured in over the weekend from theatergoers across Southern California. Including seasoned Broadway attendees and frequent visitors to major regional houses, calling the production among the best they had seen.

🎭 NEW! Costa Mesa Theatre Newsletter

Matthew Bartosch leads the company in the dual role of Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde, returning to the musical stage after more than a decade away. His portrayal of both characters earned particular praise from opening weekend audiences. Melissa Cook plays Lucy Harris, and Kristin Caputo plays Emma Carew, with the three leads anchoring a production that director and musical director Tim Nelson has shaped with psychological precision and dramatic flair.

The company also includes Vincent Aniceto as Gabriel John Utterson, Patrick O’Connor as Sir Danvers Carew, Benjermin Tietz as Simon Stride, Kevin Arnold as Lord Savage, Erik Duane as General Lord Glossop, Randall Goddard as Sir Archibald Proops, Trevin Stephenson as Bishop of Basingstoke, Kennon Wolff as Poole, Meredith Woodson as Lady Beaconsfield, Bernadette Colette Peters as Nellie, and Jerred Yeash as Spider, with choreography by Diane Makas and Jennifer Matthews.

The ensemble includes Katie Agrela, Maya Albarian, Nate Andreas, Cherie Aniceto, Sandra Aniceto, Vincent Aniceto, Kevin Arnold, Noah Chin, Erasmus Conway, Malia Daniels, Ray Davis, Erica Duane, Susann Edeson, Hannah Fan, Winnie Felton, Madisson Harkey, Emma Higginbotham, Gina Higginbotham, Chloe Hubbard, Ari Ingwerson, Kyleah Jackson, Scott Juhl, Cammie Kohlenberger, Nathan Mandrup, Luke Martucci, Jillian Matthews, Kylie Matthews, Ainsley McClure, Anna Miars, Carmela Miars, Meelod Nawabi, Aselle Nova, Noah Reitz, Cat Sacksteder, Elizabeth Seminario, Elena Shumaker, Michele Shumaker, Naomi Smith, Bella Tafua, Punawai Tietz, Alex Vaz, Haven Watts, and Bri Wilson.

Jekyll & Hyde features music by Frank Wildhorn and book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, based on the novella by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Performances continue through Sunday, June 28, 2026. Evening performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM, matinees Sunday at 2:00 PM. Tickets range from $20-$28. Recommended for audiences 15 and up.

For tickets and information, visit rosecentertheater.com.