“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,” the knock-‘em-dead hit show that’s earned unanimous raves and won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical, tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, an heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by—you guessed it—eliminating the eight pesky relatives who stand in his way.
All the while, Monty has to juggle his mistress (she’s after more than just love), his fiancée (she’s his cousin but who’s keeping track?), and the constant threat of landing behind bars! Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance and be done in time for tea.
After attending the opening night performance at the Ahmanson Theatre, I can tell you not to miss it as you will be dying of laughter throughout this amazingly inventive production. The touring company is composed of 11 triple-threat performers who not only sing, act and dance up a storm, but command your attention on a spectacularly imaginative set designed by Alexander Dodge that emulates a 1909 London theater, but with modern projection techniques designed by Aaron Rhyne that enhance every single scene and make the production directed by Darko Tresnjak and choreographed by Peggy Hickey a truly wondrous and outrageously hysterical experience.
The touring company from New York features Kevin Massey as the gentleman murderer Monty Navarro, the only cast member to have played in the show on Broadway. As he tells the story in flashbacks from his prison cell, Massey frolics through Navarro’s life as he depicts how he got rid of each D’Ysquith relative in his way – both men and women, all portrayed by John Rapson in costumes designed by Linda Cho which allow Rapson to make several incredibly fast character changes – with each one being more outrageous than the last! These two men are an incredible team and make each of their numbers an unforgettable comedic gem.
As each adventure is recounted on the center stage London theater set, we are treated to singing art work and statues, skiing through snowy mountains, a most spectacular fall from great heights, and an attack by angry bees amidst a lovely garden set complete with double-sized swing that practically floats over the audience – among many other amazing locales involved in the offing of the D’Ysquith relatives.
Music Director Lawrence Goldberg leads the full orchestra through 22 songs that capture each of those characters perfectly, especially the comical “It’s Better With a Man” and “Lady Hyacinth Abroad” numbers, as well as the brilliantly choreographed “I’ve Decided to Marry You” during which Monty attempts to hide the fact that his married-to-someone else mistress Sibella (lovely blonde Kristen Bell Williams, beautifully dressed in various shades of pink) and his more upscale and uptight cousin Phoebe D’Ysquith (brunette firecracker Adrienne Eller) to whom marriage will guarantee his position within the family. But poor Monty loves them both and finds it impossible to give either one up – and it’s a good thing since their love for him eventually gets him out of harm’s way.
The Hollywood Reporter enthused “‘Gentleman’s Guide’ restores our faith in musical comedy!” And Time Magazinesaid “Just as I was about to give up on musicals, along comes “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder’!” I totally agree with both of those sentiments and encourage you to get your tickets soon as this show is bound to frequently sell out.
Performances continue through May 1. Tickets are available by calling 213-972-4400 or online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, or by visiting the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre. Ticket prices start at $25. The Ahmanson Theatre is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles.