Robert Cuccioli in Confrontation LIVE

Well, you guys asked for it!
Confrontation
Jekyll/Hyde - Robert Cuccioli
Recorded on 11.15.97 (November 15th, 1997), at the Plymouth Theatre, NYC.
1997 Original Broadway Cast

[@JDCalabrese]

The role of Dr. Jekyll/Edward Hyde in this musical has to be one of the most demanding theater performances in history right? Considering all the vocal and physical changes.

[@jackmoody5174]

If you watch the Hasslehoff recording, he actually faints at the end of The Way Back due to the amount of effort he had to put in

[@Howlingburd19]

JD Calabrese I performed this performance for my high school theatre class once! :D

[@DigiDestined13]

Oh, yeah, it's up there. You really need a strong actor and singer to play this part. This isn't a show you cast lightly.

[@kiwi_tenor]

I'm now studying opera but back in high school I performed this show and it's ridiculously hard. 22 solos, most of the show is you, and incredibly physically and mentally taxing. I had a strong understanding of vocal technique for both characters and I still had to completely retrain my voice after it - it's hell but I don't regret a second, best show I've ever done and would love to do it again anyday.

[@LovisasMustasch]

You have to be an amazing actor to preform this and singing is really close behind

[@samrider1628]

Anyone else fascinated by how his performance is so good that his Hyde literally looks like a different person? Not just in posture, but in his face too. Masterful.

[@thomasbradley4505]

He was incredible, as was Chuck Wagner who played the part in the first national tour (I saw him play it in San Francisco. And unfortunately the only professional recording so far is David Hasselhoff in the lead. Who was…….a choice

[@onrubywings]

Those screams of "no!" are just impossibly perfect. His transitions are flawless. Even seeing a recording is breathtaking.

[@mathewhutchins2539]

His acting was probably the best this character has seen.

[@KyChristensen]

Agreed

[@Howlingburd19]

He didn’t get the Tony nomination for nothing :)

[@jalenwarren8562]

pro tip: you can watch series on Flixzone. I've been using it for watching lots of of movies recently.

[@paxtonhunter6308]

@Jalen Warren Yup, I have been using flixzone} for since december myself =)

[@bobbywise2313]

@@Howlingburd19 I thought he won the Tony, but only nominated? This seems like a Tony award winning performance to me. I have seen lesser performances win the award.

[@TenSecondSongs]

I was fortunate enough to witness this live in NYC in 97. One of my first Broadway shows, and it always stuck with me. It’s incredible that a clip from a camcorder in the 90s rivals the majority of productions today.

[@shelbyherring92]

Anthony, cover when?😉

[@carbon7181]

I truly envy you

[@yeonie8889]

wow i’m so jealous.

[@chrisbaerart]

I was there too- I was on break with my college for a journalism conference and I decided to catch the matinee of Jekyll....best show I've ever seen - hands down. He was perfection. And Linda Eder is a goddess. I'm seeing her live tomorrow night. She's been a favorite of mine since the late 80's.

[@brytonmacpherson2050]

​@Chris Baer it is the best show I've ever seen. It was amazing. His performance was out of this world. Absolute Perfection.

[@samanta42]

I have witnessed 100+ Broadway shows. The performance of Mr Cuccioli in Confrontation astonished me like no other moment in Musical Theater. Chills still run down my spine when I recall that night in 1997

[@ariana.m.lamark]

I would've given anything to see him in the role.

[@BillAngell]

+Ariana LaMark It's on KZbin

[@elizabethprice6086]

SAME

[@bobbywise2313]

I wish I could have seen that live. I have seen numerous videos of others playing this character by Cucccioli seem to still be the best. I think he won the Tony for it and that may have been the shows only Tony award. It had several nominations though. Oops I guess I was wrong about him winning. He certainly deserved the Tony.

[@amandaballes7723]

​@@bobbywise2313 I was lucky enough to see Mr. Cuccioli live and it was absolutely INCREDIBLE! Anthony Warlow has him beat by a small margin though, imo. Something about his Hyde vocals just have such a growl-y, dark edge.

[@JohnDoe-gk7ok]

His transitions are so smooth. When I watch Hasselhoff perform this, you can see him begin to move before the end of the bar, whereas Cuccioli turns around right at the correct beat. Also, he does a good job differentiating his Jekyll and Hyde voices.

[@jackmoody5174]

I'd say Cuccioli had the best distinction between the two

[@WelshHomo87]

You need distinction

[@Howlingburd19]

No offense to Hasselhoff, but Robert is significantly better tbh. The latter didn’t get the Tony nomination for nothing. He also does a better job physically differencing Jekyll and Hyde, with his hair going over his face and his stance

[@bobbywise2313]

@@Howlingburd19 His transformation and "Alive" were also significantly better. And "This is the Moment" was also much better by Cucccioli. I mean Robert totally owned this character.

[@christinedaae1986]

His "I'll see you there, Jekyll" gave me chills!

[@audrahorton311]

When Hyde sings, “for I live inside you forever” and the swell of the music and him stepping back to turn and become Jekyll...AMAZING!

[@hardy3089]

I love warlow but he was in a studio, this guy is awesome. This is one hell of a hard song to sing live and he does it really well

[@Howlingburd19]

Seth Traughber I like this version more than Warlow’s because it’s more aggressive, and while Warlow show’s how desperate Jekyll is, he doesn’t show the aggressive and evil side of Hyde that is showcased in this version.

[@WriterLilyth]

To celebrate 25 years of the Concept Recording, they are doing two performances in Australia. Anthony Warlow won't be doing this in a studio anymore!

[@deltaloraine]

I think this guy and Warlow have really similar voices anyway, so it works! I agree he really acted it out well!

[@ellanimation816]

@@deltaloraineit’s so sad that so many people associate Jekyll and Hyde with David Hasselhoff 😑

[@emmaray6215]

I love how when he switches back and forth between Jekyll and Hyde, even the skin appears to become more pale. It’s amazing what lightning can do

[@dkupke]

They did a good job portraying this on Broadway. The idea of the internal struggle was very well conveyed. I was fortunate enough to see it before Robert ended his run with the show.

[@leeuwin55555]

Cuccioli...he set the bar so high...simply the best! takes your breath away doesn't it :)

[@ceterababe]

I saw both Robert and Hoff........Hoff doesn't hold a candle to Robert. This scene was absolutely THRILLING in person. It gave everyone chills watching the transformation. Amazing how RC could do this for 2 years 8 times a week. He was on stage 90% of the time.That's a rough,tough gig and he did it beautifully. I wish Broadway would bring the show back, but only w/Cuccioli in it. His looks, his voice fit the character the best. YOU ROCK, ROBERT!!

[@em01455]

Can we talk about how awesome that Jekyll is the right and Hyde is the left of the body. It's genius from a symbolic standpoint as the left is often associated with evil or Satan .

[@alexgrossi2209]

Cuccioli is facing his right. Also, when was left associated with evil?

[@dmenor11ification]

@@alexgrossi2209 I know I'm late, but anyway, it all comes back to the medieval times. Most people are right handed, so left handed people where seen as different, and in the middle ages, different=evil, so the left hand was called "The hand of the devil", and left handed people were burned at the stake! Is the same -lack of- logic with redheads, red hair is different, different=evil, burn at the stake!

[@SilverLillyMedia]

@@alexgrossi2209 hey buddy, there's something called perspective Cuccioli was facing his left

[@axelkyster2642]

@@alexgrossi2209 Look up the word "sinister"...

[@axelkyster2642]

@@alexgrossi2209 HYDE FACES HIS right...JEKYLL FACES HIS left... Done.

[@YunaElphabaLovegood]

He did INTERPRET the song - not just sing it well. How many people have nice voices and can sing? Loads. But how many touch you and make you tremble with tension because their performance is so authentic and so gripping? I know only a few.

[@blj1523]

WHOEVER TOOK THIS VIDEO THANK YOU I AM CRYING AND SCREAMING AT THE INTENSITY AND TALENT AND ALSO THE ESOTERIC MESSAGE

[@Hannah-rv5jf]

THAT is how it's done

[@rizz103]

2:40 his tone is so much clearer on this part than any other singer i've heard do this song. it's just beautiful!

[@pokemonlovers4907]

2:40

[@Mychannel-wz1rt]

Really good. This song makes me laugh every time, because I know if I preformed this show I would mess up terribly during this song. Id probably end up sing hyde with jekyll hair.

[@JaVa_Tiger]

I watch Hasselhoff, then I watch Evans and then I watch this man... No disrespect intended to either the Hoff or Evans but they should button up their shirts and never touch this roll again after Robert Cuccioli's defining performance. Incredible. The only version I like more is Anthony Warlow's but again he had the advantage of only having to sing it.

[@JaVa_Tiger]

And again, no disrespect intended towards David or Robert Evans or anyone who likes those performances.

[@Murray710]

Agreed. I would've loved to hear Anthony sing this live. His studio recording is epic. This performance was easily the best live one I've seen though. Remarkable.

[@darmocat]

I agree with you. I don't know if it is because Warlow is so awesome, or because he was in a studio and didn't have to sing it on stage. At least the Anthony Warlow recording will always exist :D

[@NocturneFexy]

+Morgan Mailhiot There are a few other versions I do think are better but are more obscure and need more praise. The Korean versions, Marti Pellow, and the Japanese version. They all manage to give me the same feeling as I did with the Warlow version.

[@phntlanceyboi]

Hasselhoff was more focused on acting if he had more vocal coaching or lessons it would be amazing

[@MegaAniLinkFan]

Do these actors who play this song this way ever get whiplash?

[@brytonmacpherson2050]

I was fortunate enough to watch this live, and this musical is a masterpiece. I still listen to the soundtrack now and then, but nothing compares to seeing it live. His performance was outstanding. Almost 25 years ago, and I can still recall this song live.

[@honeyphan2]

Every time I see this I am stunned by RC's performance- his voice, his acting, his every movement- he was perfection in this role of a split personality. I doubt there ever was or will be a portrayal that is better.

[@elizabethprice6086]

100% agree!! I saw him do this live in 1997!! Has stuck with me til this day.

[@bobdiepold2122]

This scene alone should have won the Tony, IMO - he was robbed !!

[@LucyAndHerStuff]

How are his characters so different, yet the change betwren them so smooth?? Also really like how the hair separates and man is this actor the best jekyll and hyde iv ever seen

[@wowieitssam9457]

I was, uh, negative 7.5 years old when this was recorded. I now get to watch and enjoy this as an adult. The beauty of art :)

[@NikoReoOrion]

This is just as good as the 16 yr old who performed this in our school. He ran backwards down the steps into the front row then turned and stared me straight in the eyes as he was now Jekyll. His singing was west end standard and he suited the role so well, I saw him afterwards as my brother was playing as the only trombone in orchestra and they had a party after the final show

[@erducks624]

2:40 is perfect like omg this is amazing

[@markwolfking258]

Saw him twice during the 95 tour. His performance was haunting and true. The best performance I've ever seen... in anything.

[@sorry_fornothin296]

This is who I think about when I picture Jekyll and Hyde. This is genuinely fantastic. His dynamic range and stamina is amazing. That's why I've chosen this specific piece for my performing arts exam. It really is a gorgeous piece of theater

[@natalieshea8904]

Wow, I love how different and distinguishable Jekyll and Hyde are....plus the shirt tear was really effective!

[@mattdahan6529]

Absolutely stunning, he completely nails it. Certainly one of the songs that can only be pulled off by the very best of actors

[@heartlesswager]

This is the definitive version of this song, not another has been able to touch it. I remember talking about this scene to others well after seeing this show. Just Fantastic!

[@mlhought]

He is SO talented. Absolutely amazing to hear him rock it out in two completely different registers. Astonishing.

[@Howlingburd19]

I like when Hyde appears, and his hair goes over his face; it makes him look much more demonic. Very clever :)

[@metallidome]

...I am glad I was able to see this show when it was on Broadway. I remember waiting a long time for it to actually happen. I hope it comes back again.

[@deaththefairy]

I was literally a baby when it came out. I'm so mad time travel doesn't exist, it's a crime really that this is the best quality I'll ever get to see this in

[@BennyW-y4x]

I had the great pleasure of performing with this man, my idol, in a Len Cariou benefit concert earlier this year. He is very kind and very humble even after all his experience. Truly a LEGEND. Letting you know I've watched this video like 70 times and have performed it at open mics/small gigs--it does not disappoint and it is HARD to pull off. Takes true theater geniuses. Cuccioli has all the respect I have for anyone. Hasselhoff has nothing on him.

[@3v3_n]

I have never seen any other actor play these characters as well as Cuccioli.

[@bobm2410]

Also saw him on Broadway. My favorite play of all time!! Linda Eder was fabulous too

[@TXMortgageBanker]

If you EVER can See Cuccioli do this it will Blow your Socks off! No one... I mean NO ONE can match his performance. It was the most impressive piece of acting that I've ever seen with my own eyes!

[@CD-tj3hg]

2:26 gets me every time! It was done perfectly!

[@earthdance11]

What an unbelievably talented man - why do we not see more of him?

[@conniewilko3132]

ive been looking at a lot of performances of confrontation and this is easily my favourite!

[@鍛える男]

I have seen many musicals but I have never seen such amazing performers.

[@EponineHatchaway13]

His Hyde actually scared me at the end....o.O It was really good!

[@JokersGirl0711]

This is still my favorite song from this show. Cuccoli is just absolutely phenomenal in this role. It just gives me chills every time I watch him (and by that, I mean the good kind).

[@emimita8984]

W....the..... This is ..... Perfect.....

[@georgiajc4941]

Cuccioli is by far my favourite jekyll/hyde, he is just unbelievable.

[@BaxionDumathros]

Yes Warlow is great but I hope you realize his version was an album only, not a live performance, he recorded both characters separately, not switching between back and fourth between them like in the performance seen in the video. Its much harder to change your voice back and fourth rapidly like that. If you compare his Hyde to Cuccioli's "pure" Hyde performances, Rob's Hyde is actually more of a difference from his Jekyll than Warlow's Hyde is from Warlow's Jekyll.

[@petrov5565]

BaxionDumathros (this is a late reply) The only real difference between Warlow's Jekyll and Hyde is that Hyde is a bit deeper and it's less singing and more growling

[@paulmayer8654]

I'd love to know what you think of my performance of the song kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5PchKiNYrSZbsU

[@BeanieBots]

It is so incredible how he can transform between characters right before our eyes. Such a powerful and amazing performance. I've only seen a community theater version, but the actor was also phenomenal. This seems like one of the most challenging roles to play! Brilliantly done

[@phangirl1986]

One word: fantastic.

[@risingoceans6646]

...Always goosebumps when I see this.

[@janeyrevanescence12]

"I'll see you there, Jekyll..." very chilling indeed...

[@sarahdowning4448]

This is my fav performance of this song...I cannotttt

[@bewilderedhippy8014]

Ahh Cuccioli :) The perfect antidote to David Hasslehoff.

[@sturza9182]

This gave me chills the good kind though

[@mathut3782]

It's so dark and gritty. Awesome.

[@TheTermiactor]

AWESOME!!!!! UNFORGETABLE!!!! Thank you!!!!!!

[@mikabella5057]

so HOW did he not win the Tony?

[@DreynHarry]

Amazing - what an emotional chaos. And you really have the feeling that there are two persons, but not quite... to similar to be two, but to different to be just one..... great!"!!

[@Fiondra]

he has such amazing emotion and contrast to his voice! Love it.

[@leonardowilson7709]

It’s such a shame he never did ALW’s Phantom. He would’ve been amazing

[@blueturtle3623]

I finally watched this show after watching Love Never Dies and disliking the way the Phantom was reframed when he's meant to be an abusive murderer who is capable of seeming sincere and sweet. This show absolutely scratched the itch LND left me with. I agree 100% that this man would crush it in Phantom.

[@user-mm3st7ss6k]

oh my god...he is so..what.....excellent......i am so sad that i am lack of english to express his talent(?) whatever.. it was so impressive to me. awesome

[@user-qu5gh2ov4z]

I think Robert performed best Hyde.

[@dethe8ter]

Intense very intense this is by far his best performance in the show that I have seen

[@ThyDarkstone]

This is fantastic. No one does this character like Robert Cuccioli. I wish there was video of him doing First Transformation.

[@WutHappenedLastNight]

absolutely the BEST Jekyll and Hyde

[@Kozzi42]

It blows my mind how great of an actor he is... (!)

[@spotoftrouble]

'I'll see you there, Jekyll...' *melts in Cuccioli's Hyde perfection*

[@darmocat]

while I am more of a fan of Warlows rendition(just a difference in style); you have to give major props to Cuccioli since he performed this live on Broadway where Warlow's was a studio recording. Awesome song.

[@carissaferguson3109]

Okay so when I listened to this song on the soundtrack, I honestly thought it was two actors singing this song...I'm actually shook it's ACTUALLY the same person

[@paulmayer8654]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4mzqZVphq-bmZI How do you think I did in my depiction of the 2?

[@shalafisama]

Bless you for posting this. I accidentally ended up seeing part of Hasselhoff's version of this, so being able to watch this brilliant performance is exactly what I needed. So glad it's still here!

[@sempertern]

God... This is beautiful

[@yeehehehaw]

1:07 that transition omg i genuinely felt like something was taking over his body

[@kimberlyfox6718]

His ability to fluctuate between the two so very drastically different voices is just MINDBLOWING! How can one man have SO much talent? I love the line "I'll see you there, Jekyll" WOW!!

[@alygodsquad]

fantastic thank you for posting

[@r.a.m.s.9499]

El mejor de todos los jekylls y Hydes! Actuación y voz impecables!

[@noharakun]

i saw this play in ny when i was a teenager. i have to say this was the best thing that i saw. excuse my language but fucking beautiful there are no words for it. cheers to a fellow long islander!

[@XDitsemily]

Thank you so much for posting this!!!!

[@Pidaanma]

Thank you so much ! I've long to see Robert Cucioli in this song and I though he is just the same as always, he is fantastic !

[@FelizNAVIDad293]

A shame he never played the Phantom on Broadway. He would’ve been amazing

[@willowbranch5329]

it’s so great to see how different people interpret the transformations in this song. Some are more slow and painful but his are so immediate. very deliberate

[@rizz103]

@DivaRhd Thank you! Nobody else seems to have realized that haha. LOVE both of them, just one acted in voice and the other acted in voice and appearance.

[@thereefshark]

Evan and Cuccioli are both good, but Anthony Warlow just brought such distinct flair to each character's voice that it left me in utter awe

[@starscream6478]

In the studio though

[@ronchmiel6194]

Stunning!

[@snehvid92]

WOW he has an amazing Hyde! Really truely amazing, especialy the way he's saying "I'll see you there Jekyll!" in the end! It's fantastic! I do, however, miss a little acting.. He is not really creepy in his way of behaving Hyde, but his voice! Wow!

[@JumanjiAlan]

I like to watch this through the mirror behind him because it looks like the science has only driven him to madness and his mad interior is the one pleading. And what many see as the 'good' of Jekyll is actually the evil side trying get rid of the mess of a man that science left behind. In a nutshell it flips the appearance and gives a different look to it.

[@JokersGirl0711]

@canegirl09 Unfortunately, I don't know what was going through the minds of everyone in the ATW during the Tony Awards voting time in early 1997, but I agree that he was robbed of his Tony. However, Robert didn't go home empty-handed for Jekyll & Hyde (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Joseph Jefferson Awards). Portraying multiple and complex characters battling within oneself with a passionate and heart-breaking singing voice (in a good way) beats out a charismatic lawyer on stage any year.

[@ilovetruffles99]

This one is the best

[@stealthlock6634]

I've been trying to figure out. What canonically happens during this song? At what points does Jekyll take which actions? I feel like there's a suicide attempt in here but I can't tell for sure, or where it is.

[@Sexyforanerd22]

Stealthlock Utterson walks in on Hyde in Jekyll's lab, and confronts him. So Hyde transforms back and and Jekyll begs Utterson to take a letter to Lucy because he fears Hyde will kill her. Utterson leaves immediately and upon his exit Jekyll sings The Way Back at the end of the song he is shown to painfully transform back into Hyde. The next scene shows Utterson entering Lucy's home with Jekyll's note. Jekyll in his note, begs her to leave and gives her money. Utterson leaves when Lucy agrees to leave. However before she leaves, Lucy sings A New Life. Immediately after. A new life, Hyde appears in Lucy's home. He notices Jekyll begged her to leave and Hyde, not wanting Jekyll to win, kills Lucy while singing a reprise of Sympathy, Tenderness to her. Once she is dead, Hyde transforms back into Jekyll and looks in horror at what he has done. He then starts a reprise of Lost in the Darkness, but not without Hyde interrupting him and turning into Confrontation. The number is with Jekyll sort of talking to himself about his father and Hyde attempting to take total control. But Jekyll resists. And they go back and forth. If I am correct, because in the novel, Jekyll committed suicide by gunshot, some adaptations of the show have shown Jekyll and Hyde fighting for a gun. I don't think that's the case of confrontation though, as in the lost in the darkness bit at the beginning of the song, he still says that he will find the answer and never desert his father. So even with all he's done, he's still determined to his work. So the best answer I can give is a "no" I don't think there's a suicide attempt in this song. (I can answer this as a male swing in a production of this show. I've had to study all of the plot very carefully)

[@stealthlock6634]

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this. It's a great help for one of the biggest plot points! Do you know what happens right after Confrontation ends?

[@Sexyforanerd22]

Stealthlock Now that I'm looking at the video more, if you're referring to Jekyll reaching his hands up as if he were to try to place a noose around his neck, that is not the case. Notice how he faces forward when singing lost in the darkness as he looks into the mirror. Then when Hyde comes in, Hyde is bunched over and looking to his lower right as if he's talking to someone. Then Jekyll looks to his upper left and reaches his hands up there quite a bit as if he's talking to somebody up there. I believe this is to symbolize the vision that he's talking to the Hyde in his mind as if Hyde is the devil on his shoulder. His left shoulder, the evil one. And Hyde is looking down at jekyll. It's hard to block with only one person but I think this is what Cuccoli is doing

[@Sexyforanerd22]

Stealthlock three months pass and a final reprise of facade happens, where Utterson narrates a bit. Then the scene shifts into the wedding ceremony of Jekyll and Emma. Jekyll, who has not been Hyde for 3 months begins to transform just before saying his vows. Stride confronts him and Hyde kills him. Danvers confronts him, and Hyde knocks him aside. Hyde then seizes Emma and Utterson draws the sword from his cane and demands Hyde let her go. Hyde threatens to kill Emma, so Utterson backs off. Emma begs Hyde to not hurt her because she still sees Henry in him. He transforms back into Jekyll as he begs Utterson to kill him and save them all. Utterson cannot bring himself to hurt his friend so Jekyll impales himself on Utterson's blade. Emma then holds Henry in her arms as he dies and the show ends.

[@stealthlock6634]

Cool! Thanks so much! It's nice to understand the story better like this. I gotta find the full musical and watch it because it's so good!

[@lyndajaeger4477]

Thank you!! Thank you! Thank you! I watched him perform this when it first came to America, in 1998. It was my senior trip and I was blown away! Such an amzing show an cast in such a teeny tiny theatre! He was amazing! Even thiugh I felt a bit ripped off, cuz all I had known was the more ummmm salacious British version. Now I have something to show people when they say Hoff was good. I can show them true talent.

[@honeyphan2]

A- freaking- mazing!!!!! Wow, can this guy perform, sing, take my breath away- name it!!! He's the best I've seen in the role I think (from what is on YT)- just....wow.... thanks for posting!

[@myangelmyall]

wow this is great!!!!!

[@YunaElphabaLovegood]

@racharooenator Honestly I watched David Hasselhoffs version of it just yesterday and really didn't expect much - A little shocked, to be honest that I found myself deeply impressed! What presence! The acting was good, his face was alive with the different persons character.

[@Artisan1979]

While I applied Roberts performance, I think the last word "never" should've been said more like a scream of defiance, as opposed to just a song, Word. David Hasselhoff, in spite of the hilarity of his performance, pull this off, Jekyll is being tormented by his other half, so there has to be emotion behind that defiant last word.

[@franksm2822]

And 20 years later, we are blessed with a bunch of “talent” that has Hyde’s part pre-recorded and projected.

[@raniwasacyborg]

They're still doing that? D: I was grateful to see it live in any form during the Bill Kenwright tour, but that was a bit disappointing. I'd hoped that effect was a one-off!

[@passarino6]

@JokersGirl0711 When I met Robert Cuccioli at the stage door when he was in his second year on Broadway, I said the exact same thing to him. He was very gracious and humbly thanked me for the compliment.

[@whenkarina]

His “I’ll see you there, Jekyll” was CHILLING

[@matildam94]

stunning.