Capsule reviews of current area theater presentations.

 Jekyll and Hyde -- The ultimate story of split identities, Jekyll and Hyde (the musical) features a collection of similar-sounding musical numbers linked by less connective tissue than an anatomy-class skeleton. But the folks at the Beck Center manage to make J&H an entertaining excursion into the schizoid mind. Dr. Henry Jekyll is absorbed in his quest to isolate good from evil in a human being, but his study is rejected. So he tries his potion on himself and morphs into Edward Hyde, freelance sociopath. Actor Dan Folino turns Jekyll into an obsessive-compulsive geek, beaten up by the powers that be. But once he mainlines his joy juice, jerky Jekyll is replaced by a smoothly amoral Mr. Hyde with flowing locks -- a self-admiring and homicidal cross between Fabio and Dick Cheney. Folino's lustrous singing voice makes many of the tunes sound better than they actually are. And matching Folino in stage presence and singing power is Amiee Collier, who plays the whore Lucy Harris with street-wise sensuality. But no other characters are drawn with an ounce of interest or individuality. And once Hyde goes on his rampage during the "Murder! Murder!" number, director Scott Spence gives in to special-effects cheese better fit for the Itchy & Scratchy Show. The slick production, however, is abetted by a gorgeous set designed by Don McBride, and the musical direction by Larry Goodpaster is largely flawless. Through August 5 at the Beck Center, 17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, 216-521-2540. -- Howey

Subject(s):

Cleveland theater

Malicious Bunny -- Once a couple is married, it isn't long before the "Honey-do" list appears. But it usually doesn't include tasks such as "Kill my parents." Yet this is what faces Jonathon when his bride, Angela, urges him into double homicide in the well acted and sporadically amusing Malicious Bunny by Matthew A. Sprosty, now being mounted by Fourth Wall Productions. There are two more items on Angela's list -- they involve becoming a millionaire and moving into a penthouse apartment -- but since her targeted parents are super rich, the first chore will likely take care of the rest. Though the material is drenched in dark motives, Sprosty presents it with a light touch, and he's abetted by Rebecca Cole's taut direction, a thoroughly likable and engaging performance by Nate Bigger as the reluctant hit-man hubby, and a believable turn by Stephanie Ford as the pouty and diabolical Angela. Even though Sprosty tends to become entranced by the sound of his own writing, which leads to extended scenes and a running time of more than two hours (easily a half-hour longer than necessary), he blessedly writes about an actual event and finds a way to bring it to a satisfying, slightly Shakespearean conclusion. Through July 29, produced by Fourth Wall Productions at Kalliope Stage, 2134 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 330-283-2442. -- Howey