LEWISTON — Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre will bring the spine-chilling tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to the stage beginning Aug. 5.

“This show has all the ingredients of a rousing and frightening gothic tale,” said director Richard Martin, noting this production of the Broadway musical version has lots of song, dance and a large helping of terror.

CLT will stage the show in the air-conditioned Lewiston Middle School auditorium.

Martin’s focus in this production is on how one tells evil from good. That duality is central to the story adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novella about a brilliant young doctor and research scientist who, distraught over his father’s mental illness, embarks upon a quest to isolate the elements of good and evil that constantly struggle for supremacy inside every human being.

Martin’s set design places the Red Rat nightclub on one side of the stage and the home of Dr. Jekyll, who transforms into the evil Edward Hyde, on the other side. Martin said this emphasizes the divide between social classes in Victorian England. His lighting will also highlight these aspects, and it is “more hallucinatory” when Hyde is present.

“It emphasizes the entire Victorian world’s restraint and what’s under that façade.” Martin added.

Shawn Robitaille plays the conflicted Dr. Henry Jekyll and his dark and twisted counter-personality Edward Hyde. Angela Robitaille is cast as Lucy Harris. Sir Danvers Carew is played by Mitchell Clyde Thomas and John Utterson is portrayed by Derrick Lacasse.

Chris Camire plays Mr. Simon Stride; Kelsie Davidson is Emma; Christine Doucette plays Nellie; Stefanie Lynn portrays Lady Beaconsfield; and Phil Vampatella is Mr. Poole.

Members of the ensemble are Sean Wallace, Bob Mathieu, Ken Mansur, Scott Adair, Richard Russell, Bruce Gerry, Karen McArthur, Michelle Good, Tatiana Curtis, Katie St. Pierre, Sheal Cooper, Karen Loggins and Jim Merrill. They will appear as the Board of Governors, Red Rat Girls and in other roles.

The music of “Jekyll & Hyde” is by Frank Wildhorn (“The Scarlet Pimpernel”) with lyrics by Leslie Bricusse (“Stop the World – I Want to Get Off”). The musical ran on Broadway for 1,543 performances from 1997 through 2001.

Among the show’s musical numbers are “I Need To Know,” “Take Me As I Am,” “ Bring on the Men,” “This Is the Moment” and “Someone Like You.”

Martin has directed numerous musicals with the kind of big production numbers that will be seen in “Jekyll & Hyde.” A 16-piece orchestra will be led by musical director Paul G. Caron.

Martin uses his extensive stage lighting skills to help create the menacing moods critical to the plot. Several other effects involving knives and blood, breaking glass and strange chemical experiments are handled by Scott Powers and other CLT technical crew members.

Sound design is by Larry French. Set decor is by Joyce Coyne, who also is lead artist. Elizabeth Starnegg is dressing the cast in period costumes, with assistance from Pattie Gray-Martin. Audrey Martin is hairstylist. Michael Koch is stage manager, with help from Amber Thibeault and Christopher Belanger. Koch is also technical director and Martin’s associate set designer. Belanger and Jacques Spellman are lighting assistants. Katie St. Pierre is props manager. Rachel Morin is publicist.

Go and do

WHAT: “Jekyll & Hyde”

WHO: Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5-6 and 12-13; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7 and 14

WHERE: Lewiston Middle School auditorium, Central Avenue, Lewiston

TICKETS: $16/advnace, $18/at the door. Call 783-0958 or visit www.laclt.com.