FAN CLUB

The Jekyll & Hyde Fan Club was founded by two Texans, Michael Edwards and Rachel Brown. Why Texas of all places? Well, J&H had its world premiere in 1990 at the Alley Theatre in Houston of course! A few years later, a number of fans of the show became members of an email list started by original J&H Utterson, Philip Hoffman. Two of these members, Rachel and Michael, met when J&H reopened in Houston in the 1994-1995 season. It was then that the JHFC was born. The JHFC became widely known about via the email listserv, and members were also treated to a quarterly newsletter called The Dregs, named for the original rathole Lucy was found at in J&H. The fan club was not only a group supporting J&H, but also all of Frank Wildhorn's shows, cast members and their various projects, etc...

As the show toured the country, the fan base grew, gained the nickname of "Jekkies," and everyone realized that when the show got to Broadway, the JHFC needed to pull up stakes as well and be more central to the NYC production. Michael and Rachel passed the reins of leadership to Dr. Richie Schwartz (President) and Marc Goldman (VP). The newsletter was changed to The Wildhorn Side to cover all of Frank Wildhorn's work, and two Californians were the co-editors, Mary Miller and Sharon Perlmutter.

The official JHFC grew in membership far into the hundreds. One of the most popular things the leadership of the JHFC did was organize Net-togethers, which were simply gatherings of fans around special J&H and Wildhorn related events and milestones. Openings of various shows, actors leaving their noteworthy roles, and any reason that could be come up with were reasons for these fun parties. On many occasions, even the actors themselves would attend the Nets. All in all, there were at least seven official Nets during the run of J&H.

The fan club got so busy that Marc was "promoted" to Co-President with Richie, and Don Simon was named the new VP. Don has also become Mr. Regional Production of the JHFC, having logged attendance at more local and regional J&H productions than anyone in the fan base. His reports from the field are an ongoing highlight for fans everywhere. Don recently even got a chance to be IN a production of J&H, portraying Bisset! :)

Fundraising was never an official goal of the JHFC, but through raffles and other events, the JHFC has proudly donated at least $2500 to BC/EFA in the name of J&H and the fans.

Even though J&H has been closed on Broadway for a couple of years now, the JHFC still lives on in spirit. Fans are spread out worldwide with international and community productions popping up everywhere. There is no longer a formal membership package or dues needing to be paid, but listservs and websites are still active sources of information and discussion. We are now waiting for the revival to come along someday!


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