Jack the Ripper - A Review

The story of Jack the Ripper is one that has fascinated people for more than a century. To summarize: at least five women were brutally murdered in London between August and November 1888. The murders were never solved, and the murderer never caught or exposed, so the case has led to much speculation.

That may seem an odd choice for a subject for a musical, but that’s the challenge writer Dan Kehde and composer Mark Scarpelli faced in creating the original show being presented at the Capital Center Theater in Charleston.

And I’m happy to report that their experiment is a success! They take the story, approach it from an original angle, add some excellent songs and a great cast, and produce a story that’s thrilling and entertaining.

Most authors approach the story as a “whodunit” - solving the mystery of Jack’s true identity. Instead, this production is a “whydunit” - it tells you right up front that Jack is really a disturbed painter named Frederick, whose rapid descent into madness is spurred on by the actions of his equally-demented mother. But there are several other mysteries that unfold as the musical follows Jack’s career.

Any good show depends on having a talented cast of actors on stage, and that’s another reason for the show’s success. Cast in the title role is Ryan Hardiman, an outstanding actor who manages the wide range of emotions required, from timidity and tenderness to the sheer rage of a madman. He also gets to show off his tremendous voice, and the songs allow him to demonstrate his range and power.

Playing the part of his Mother is Tanya Dillon Page, another excellent singer who does a great job playing a mysterious and troubled figure. Her voice is an excellent match for Ryan's, and their songs together are spot-on.

Jack’s opposite number is Inspector Abberline, as played by Kevin Pauley. Another excellent singer, his character is always one step behind Jack. (That's him in the photo above with Ryan.)

The cast does a terrific job, including: Donnie Smith, Greg Garner, Nick Tidquist, Liz McCormick, Nick Curnutte, Melanie Larch, Marranda Major, Sam Oxley, Jennifer Davis, Mara Regling, Penny Fioravante, Alicia Lewis, Cabrina Pierson, Jessica Rogers, Kirill Gura, and my pal Paul McNeely.

Mark Scarpelli’s music is as intricate as the Dan Kehda’s story, and blends together different voices and songs, sometimes working together and sometimes playing off each other. It’s an impressive piece of work, and I look forward to the team’s next project.

The only complaints I have are small ones: there were a few minor microphone problems the night I saw the show (it’s one of the biggest problems any community theatre groups faces); and the show was a bit constrained by the small size of the stage. They did their best to overcome the problem by devising a clever three-level set, but the show would definitely benefit from more elbow room.

But those are minor problems, and what the creators, performers and crew have been able to accomplish is nothing short of amazing. The show is moody and dark, and even though there’s no graphic violence, there are more than a few startling scenes, so I really don’t recommend this show for little ones. But for everyone else, the show is a real treat (which seems appropriate as Halloween gets closer).

It’s not often you get to see an original musical, and audiences should make a point of doing what the police weren’t able to do 120 years ago: catch Jack the Ripper!