Jared Rasic, playing Mr. Hyde, rehearses a scene with Liam O'Sruitheain, in the role of Richard Enfield. A modern adaptation of the classic “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” opens tonight at Cascades Theatrical Company's Greenwood Playhouse.

‘Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” was first published by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886. It tells the story of the doctor and the mysterious, violent Mr. Hyde through the eyes of a London lawyer, a longtime friend of Dr. Jekyll.

Over the years, the names Jekyll and Hyde have become part of our cultural lexicon — an easy way to reference a person with a dual nature, a dark side.

Cascades Theatrical Company will present “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” a 2008 adaptation of the macabre story, tonight through Oct. 31 at the Greenwood Playhouse (see “If you go”).

The story is told in an unusual way. One actor, Brad Ruder, plays Henry Jekyll, a respectable scientist who at first blush appears beyond moral reproach.

Another actor, Zelia Horrell, plays Elizabeth, a chamber maid at a London hotel. Horrell also appears briefly in one scene as an old woman.

The remaining four actors in the play, Jared Rasic, Liam O’Sruitheain, Will Futterman and Kat Christiansen, play more than a dozen roles. The four actors take turns at playing Edward Hyde.

Since most of us by now are familiar with the general arc of the play, it gives little away to acknowledge that Mr. Hyde is the alter ego of Dr. Jekyll. Through Jekyll’s experiments in his laboratory, where he makes mysterious tinctures, he’s discovered a second personality, Hyde. He’s so dark and depraved that even his physical appearance is unrecognizable, even to Jekyll’s best friends.

The considerably talented cast, under the direction of Lana Shane, indicate changes in character through the use of accents, subtle costume changes and occasional props. For instance, Hyde carries a black cane with a silver handle; as one actor passes the cane to the next, the next actor takes on the role of Hyde.

The unusual casting is paired with a stark set, dramatic lighting and moody fog.

The story is told as an investigation into the crimes of Mr. Hyde. First, from the diary of Gabriel Utterson (Rasic), a lawyer who recalls a story he heard from a friend, Richard Enfield (O’Sruitheain).

Enfield was out walking one evening and took a wrong turn, ending up in front of a door. Just as he was about to pass the door, he saw a young girl coming down the street, when a man, Hyde, turned the corner and collided with the girl. As she fell to the ground, Hyde raised his cane as if to hit her, but stopped short.

When the people on the street who witness the encounter question Hyde, he gruffly answers, “It was not intentional. I was too much in haste to reach my door.”

Enfield tells Hyde that there are damages to be paid for, and Hyde agrees to write a check. When questioned about the funds available on the account, Hyde produces a note from the esteemed Dr. Jekyll that guarantees the funds.

One aspect of the incident struck Enfield as odd.

“The fact that he called me Enfield,” he says.

“Well, that is your name,” replies Utterson.

“Yes, but I didn’t tell it to him,” Enfield says.

Another piece of evidence in the investigation is notes from a surgical student at the College of London Hospital.

Sir Danvers Carew, the school’s chief surgeon (O’Sruitheain), is giving a lecture to his students and demonstrates with a cadaver, a prostitute who has recently been found dead.

“The brain, as you can see gentlemen, is small, albeit distended and deformed, emblematic of the woman’s moral decay and sensual rapaciousness,” he says. The presentation is lurid, and Carew gives grisly details about the woman’s body. He prepares to show the students, claiming her line of work led to her demise.

Just then, Jekyll enters, and declares the lecture “rot.”

“Rot, bad science and evil mindedness,” he declares. Jekyll then publicly discounts Carew’s theories on the state of the corpse. Carew is incensed.

Later, when Carew is the victim of a vicious attack, the authorities suspect Jekyll.

Director Shane said the play was an opportunity to present a classic done in a modern way.

“We want to select genres that appeal to different people,” she said. “Within those there are classics and adaptations, and this was an interesting, modern, chilling adaptation.”

Because of some violence and adult themes, she warned that it’s probably not best for younger children.

“We’re kind of thinking it’s a PG-13,” she said.

The ending of the play, which comes as Jekyll and Hyde battle for control of the body they share, has a surprising twist.

She didn’t want to give it away, but Shane said, “It sort of makes you want to go back and watch the whole thing over again.”

If you go

What: “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Cascades Theatrical Company

When: 7:30 tonight and every Wednesday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sundays; through Oct. 31

Where: Greenwood Playhouse, 148 N.W. Greenwood Ave., Bend

Cost: $20 adult, $15 seniors 60 and older, $12 students

Contact: 541-389-0803 or www.cascadestheatrical.org