Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

As the festive prepare to don costumes in the spirit of Halloween, actors and actresses will don characters for “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” at The Colonnade Performing Arts Theater this October.

The dark production, adapted by playwright Jeffrey Hatcher, is based off the classic Robert Louis Stevenson novella, and will be presented by award-winning theater company Back Alley Productions.

Shows are Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. with a 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Oct. 25. The Colonnade is at 264 Catoosa Circle in Ringgold, Georgia.

Due to adult subject matter, parental guidance is advised for children under the age of 13.

Keeping with the essence of the original novella, the production shows the good-natured Dr. Henry Jekyll’s descent into the evil within himself when he experiments with chemistry and splits his own personality. Several actors will portray the character of Hyde, director Kaylee Smith says, because Hatcher’s adaptation strives to show the universal pull of evil inside everyone.

“This isn’t your everyday Jekyll and Hyde,” Smith said. “Many stage and film adaptations tend to water down the gravity of evil in Stevenson’s original. Hatcher’s version goes full throttle. So we’ve tailored the set, costumes and lighting to invoke that level of fright and suspense in a day and age where creating fear is no small task.”

The production is perfectly timed for the Halloween season, Smith said, and will appeal to fans of old school suspense and psychological thrillers looking to get into the holiday spirit.

“Our goal, when the curtain goes up, is to make your hair stand up on your back,” she said. “With a frightening script, haunting cast and spooky ambience, we’re going to milk our audience for as many goose bumps as we can get. The cast and crew have taken to the challenge and crafted something psychologically tense and dark, backed by a classic and engaging story with a wealth of complex characters.”

Tickets to the show are $11 for adults and $9 for students and seniors and may be purchased online at colonnadecenter.tix.com or at the theater box office.

Call 706-621-2870 or email backalleyperformances@gmail.com for more information.

About Back Alley Productions

Back Alley Productions is an award-winning theater company in its fourth season. The company aims to unite the north Georgia and Chattanooga community under the motto that “live theater is for everyone.” Jekyll and Hyde marks the final show for the 2014 season. Visit backalleyproductions.org for more information on next season’s shows, including auditions and how to get involved backstage.