Caldwell Theatre audiences have been seeing Tom Wahl since 1990, when he first earned his Actor’s Equity union card in a production of Bent. But they have never seen him unleash his silly side as he does playing the dual roles of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in Chemical Imbalance, Lauren Wilson’s broadly comic take on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson tale, receiving its East Coast premiere this evening.

If, however, you caught Wahl in The Mystery of Irma Vep, alongside his fellow Chemical Imbalance cast member John Felix, at either Coral Gables’ Actors Playhouse or Blowing Rock Stage in North Carolina, you would have an inkling of what is ahead this month in Boca Raton.

“The plays are very similar in that they’re melodramatic, with very wacky characters,” says Wahl during a recent rehearsal break. “It taps into a very similar sort of comedy.”

Those familiar with the tale of the mad scientist who swallows a potion that turns him into a brutal killer will know what to expect. Sort of.

“You’ll totally recognize the Jekyll and Hyde story, but it’s kind of campy,” concedes Wahl.

Director Clive Cholerton has encouraged his cast — which includes Laura Turnbull, Angie Radosh, Wynn Harmon and Erin Joy Schmidt — to toss in their comic suggestions during rehearsals. For Wahl, that meant a favorite makeup prop.

“I’ll be using a set of fake teeth that I’ve used in a couple of other plays that Clive thought was really funny,” says Wahl. “I used them in the publicity photo, just for fun, and he said, ‘Y’know what, maybe we should use those in the show.’”

Of the two roles, Wahl prefers Mr. Hyde, the embodiment of pure evil. “It’s more fun to play the Hyde character, of course,” he notes. “But I really like Dr. Jekyll, too. He’s developed into kind of a cool guy, I think. Just misunderstood.”

Do not look for deep messages in Chemical Imbalance, says Wahl, just be ready to laugh until your sides hurt. Rest assured that there will be a doctor in the house — Dr. Jekyll. “But I don’t know if I’d want to be examined by him.”

A Jacoby of all trades . . . Broadway veteran Mark Jacoby was in the original cast of Ragtime and assumed the title role in Phantom of the Opera for three years. But playing gay nightclub owner and emcee Georges in Jerry Herman’s La Cage aux Folles, which begins previews on Tuesday at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, is a departure for him.

“I have quite a bit of experience singing love songs to women, but very little experience singing love songs to men, so as an actor it’s a stretch. It’s a world I have to get myself comfortable in,” he says. “In fact, you could say that’s the theme of the play, getting oneself comfortable with who one is.”

“As an actor, sometimes you have to enter into arenas that are not necessarily your comfort zone. This is a challenge for me, but in a good way,” says Jacoby, even though he is prepared to be upstaged by John Scherer, who plays his more flamboyant, cross-dressing partner, Albin.

“I think Georges is the stabilizing force in the marriage, Albin is probably the more volatile one. Georges’ challenge, in his love for Albin, is to keep things centered, keep things stable, keep the ship afloat,” says Jacoby. “I know it’s a cliché, but you’re going to leave humming the tunes and you’re going to be glad you went.”

La Cage aux Folles plays from Jan. 12-31. Call (561) 575-2223 for tickets.

RECENTLY REVIEWED

COPENHAGEN: Through Jan. 31 at Palm Beach Dramaworks. Michael Frayn’s talky drama about a brief, mysterious meeting between two nuclear physicists, a meeting that may have changed the course of World War II.

“It is the kind of theatrical challenge that only Palm Beach Dramaworks would take on, rewarding audiences willing to lean in and listen hard.” — Hap Erstein.

322 Banyan Blvd., West Palm Beach. Information: (561) 514-4042.

THE STORYTELLING ABILITY OF A BOY: Through Jan. 17 at Florida Stage. Carter W. Lewis’ drama about three high school misfits and how they interconnect. A world premiere. “For Florida Stage’s senior audience, The Storytelling Ability of a Boy may resonate as a view into their grandchildren’s generation. That would make the experience worthwhile enough, but the play is elevated by playwright Lewis’ — and his characters’ — facility with language.” — Hap Erstein.

262 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan. Call: (561) 585-3433 or (800) 514-3837.

CHEMICAL IMBALANCE, Caldwell Theatre Company, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton. Tonight through Feb. 8. Tickets: $34-$55. Call: (561) 241-7432 or (877) 245-7432.