Moral Mayhem Meets Minimalist Theatre in ‘Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play’

The Michigan State University Department of Theatre presents “Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play,” a twisted comedy by Lauren Wilson and directed by Associate Professor Brad Willcuts. Performances run Nov. 19-23, 2025, in Studio 60 Theatre inside the MSU Auditorium building.

“Chemical Imbalance” is a satirical spin on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” and features wit, chaos, and moral mayhem in a Victorian setting.

A person stands and speaks to a group of students seated around tables arranged in a square inside a black box theater. The students hold scripts and listen attentively, surrounded by nameplates and small pumpkins. — Director Brad Willcuts (top left) and Stage Manager Mara Vander Beek (top middle) during a rehearsal with the cast of “Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play.” *(Photo by Tyler Radze)*

“Chemical Imbalance” also is part of MSU Theatre’s Storefront Series, which explores creative minimalism by challenging teams to work with limited resources and condensed rehearsal periods, emphasizing the core elements of theatre: writing, acting, and directing.

“As you might notice, there’s a noticeable void where a long list of designers would normally appear in the program,” Willcuts said. “That absence is intentional. One of the Storefront’s guiding principles is to create theatre on a shoestring — without designers, without spectacle — focusing instead on the actor, the story, and the shared imagination between audience and performer.”

“Every costume, prop, and set piece was sourced by our ensemble from their own homes. Very little was purchased or built, but everything has been crafted with care. The simplicity keeps the acting — and this wonderfully twisted script — at the center.”
Brad Willcuts, Director and Associate Professor

For Willcuts, this approach transforms limitation into creativity.

“Every costume, prop, and set piece was sourced by our ensemble from their own homes,” he said. “Very little was purchased or built, but everything has been crafted with care. The simplicity keeps the acting — and this wonderfully twisted script — at the center.”

Students sit around a large rectangular table in a black box theater, reading from scripts and notes. Nameplates, small pumpkins, and water bottles are placed in front of them. — Cast members of a “Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play” during rehearsal. *(Photos by Tyler Radze)*

A group of students sit at a long table covered with green folders, papers, and nameplates, reviewing scripts together in a rehearsal or meeting setting. — Cast members of a “Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play” during rehearsal. *(Photos by Tyler Radze)*

Originally selected for the 2020 Summer Circle Theatre season, “Chemical Imbalance” was postponed during the pandemic and has been “patiently waiting on a shelf ever since. The Storefront felt like the perfect place to finally unleash it,” said Willcuts, adding that audiences can expect “a little satire, a little madness, and a whole lot of laughter.”

Performance Dates and Times

Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 23, 2:00 p.m.

Tickets

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at whartoncenter.com, in person at Wharton Center Ticket Office, or by calling 517-432-2000 or 1-800-WHARTON.

General Admission: $18
MSU Students: FREE ticket per student with valid MSU ID. Pick up the free ticket an hour before the performance at the Studio 60 box office or day of/days prior at the Wharton Center Ticket Office.