Interview: Kristen Hahn of A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER at The Bushnell

BWW Interview: Kristen Hahn, Phoebe in A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER at Hartford's Bushnell Theatre, October 25 - 30.

Ever wonder if you might have an unknown rich relative out there sitting on a fortune that could one day be yours? That is exactly what Monty Navarro, the main character in A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER discovers, and the lengths he goes to ensure his inheritance and title is secure, is surprising, shocking, even, yet absolutely hilarious. And along this journey filled with truly dastardly deeds, Monty meets Phoebe D'Ysquith, who finds herself and true love in the most unlikely of ways. Playing Phoebe when GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE stops in Hartford October 25 - 30 will be Kristen Hahn, a Connecticut native who sat down with me to talk about this unconventional, yet entertaining show and share what it is like to return to her home state with this production.

BWW: Kristen, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me today. We are really looking forward to GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE in Hartford!

Kristen Hahn: It a pleasure, thank you. We are really excited to come visit!

Can you start by telling us a little bit about how you got started in the theatre?

I grew up in Weston, Connecticut. I went to the public school there, and we had a really fantastic theatre program. So I grew up doing theatre there. Then I went on to college at Carnegie Mellon where I got an Opera degree, but I was still always interested in doing Musical Theatre and that was my first love. Then, through classes and continued studies in NY, I ended up in the cast of A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER on Broadway in their second year.

So it is a bit of a homecoming for you, then, coming to Connecticut?

Absolutely! I am so excited to be in Connecticut and have family members able to come and see the show. I grew up seeing shows at Hartford Stage. I remember seeing PHILADELPHIA STORY there and ENCHANTED APRIL. It was such a gift to have that theater so close. Having that in our backyard was really special.

You were part of the Broadway production, tell us about what it's like to make the transition to the tour, what's the same, what's different.

The piece is definitely the same. There are things that are a little different here and there regarding the staging, especially because on Broadway we had a passerelle, and now for these bigger touring houses we don't have a passerelle, so Peggy Hickey, our remarkable choreographer was able to do some really fun and different things. She had to change the staging in certain places and used that as an opportunity to add some beautiful moments to what was already so beautifully crafted. The material is all the same, but it is interesting to see that the show really does translate and plays so well in these bigger houses, so that has been really exciting to see.

A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER is a new musical for many people, so can you tell our readers a little bit about the show and what they can expect?

It's about a young man named Monty Navarro who discovers that he is the heir to a great fortune and an earldom, but the only problem is that there are eight other relatives who stand between him and the title. So he decides to go bumping each and every one of them off, but in the most gentlemanly of ways, of course. What is really fabulous is that each of the eight characters is played by one man, in our case, the brilliant John Rapson, and each is more despicable and hilarious than the next. The murders are not gruesome in any way, it's entertaining and very tongue-in-cheek and really hilarious.

And you play Phoebe, which seems like a really fun role to play. What do you like most about her?

She has a really incredible and beautiful arc. She is an aristocrat so she is a bit removed from the outside world and feels misunderstood. She is written off for being a bit haughty and closed off because she lives in this world of riches. She's really a young woman with a heart of gold. So when she meets Monty, she feels understood for the first time and seen as the lovely, sweet young lady that she is. Meeting him inspires her to step out into the world and go after what she wants, which includes Monty. She really has a coming out party for herself over the course of the night. That is a really gratifying journey to take. Not only that, but the music that she gets to sing is so beautiful, all of the music is full of these lush gorgeous melodies. It is a real gift.

What do you look forward to the most before you step out on stage each night?

I think for me it changes from night to night, but certainly I would be remiss if I didn't mention the iconic number called "I've Decided to Marry You" in which Phoebe decides she is going to go and tell Monty how she feels about him. They performed it on the Tony Awards in 2014 when we won Best Musical. It's a farce in one number, full of slamming doors, romance, and intrigue all in one song. Monty has two women in the same house and he has to keep them both from finding out about each other, and hilarity ensues. It is the most fun to perform with my cast mates every night.

How long have you been on the tour?

This is my first tour, ever! I have been here for about five weeks now.

What would you say are the best and most difficult parts about touring with a show like this?

I have to pick two best things. First, this cast is so kind and wonderful, I love spending time with them. You can really tell that they care deeply about each other, and we are all genuinely friends. I feel so grateful to them for welcoming me into the fold so warmly. It has been a real joy to get to know them. Also, the other fabulous part is just getting to see the country and getting to do all those wonderful touristy things that you might not get the chance to do. That has been fascinating. The challenge with picking up and going to a new city each week is making sure to get enough rest and treat yourself properly. You have to re-orient yourself to a new city each time. I am grateful for that. It makes me more flexible.

As you mentioned, Monty utilizes a number of hilarious methods for getting rid of his relatives. Which is your favorite?

Without giving too much away, the first murder of the night is my favorite. It involves heights and a very windy day. It doesn't take much for Monty to make it happen. What I love about it is that it is that moment in the show when the audience realizes what kind of evening they are in for, and that its ok to laugh. It is really fun to hear the laughter erupt in the audience.

It must be fascinating to observe and play opposite John Rapson as he plays so many roles.

It is fascinating, and it is such fun. We all stand in the wings and watch and still enjoy it after all this time. He really does disappear into each and every one of those characters. They are all so delightfully wicked. It's a joy to watch all of them. Some of them are men, some of them are women, some of them are younger some are older. The way he breathes life into each of them in their own distinctive ways, it is fascinating.

So thinking toward the future, do you have a dream role that you would one day like to play?

Phoebe was a dream role, so to be offered this opportunity it was really a dream come true. Beyond that I am a big Rodgers and Hammerstein and Lerner and Lowe lady, so any of those leading ladies would be really special.

You made your Broadway debut at a young age, isn't that right?

Yes. I was in OUR TOWN with Paul Newman at the Westport Country Playhouse. Jim Naughton who was directing the production needed some local kids. He called up the school and my teacher sent me over to audition and I got the part. We ended up transferring to Broadway, so at 13 years old I made my debut. It was really amazing and Paul Newman was just as kind and wonderful as you would want him to be.

Do you have any advice for young performers looking to make it into professional theatre?

I would say to continue your studies and always check in with yourself to address what might be the things that need improvement or the things that might need refreshing. Also to make sure your studies are well rounded as well. The more information you have, it helps as an actor. Continue with your academic studies as well as dancing, singing and acting.

Is there anything else you would like readers to know?

I do want to say again that it is a big musical comedy experience. It is a special piece because there is something in it for everyone - romance, intrigue, adventure, and hilarity of many sorts. You are going to walk away happy and humming a lot of great music, and feeling entertained from seeing something really unique.

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A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER runs at the Bushnell Theatre in Hartford, CT October 25 - 30. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00; p.m.; and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $25.50. Tickets are available online at www.bushnell.org, by phone at 860-987- 5900, or at The Bushnell box office, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford.

Top Photo: National Touring Company. (L-R) John Rapson as Henry D'Ysquith, Megan Loomis, Kevin Massey as Monty Navarro in a scene from "A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder." Photo credit: Joan Marcus.

Middle Photo: National Touring Company. The cast with Kevin Massey as Monty Navarro (left) and Megan Loomis as Tour Guide (right) in a scene from "A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder." Photo credit: Joan Marcus.

Bottom Photo: National Touring Company. The cast with John Rapson as Lord Adalbert D'Ysquith (red) in a scene from "A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder." Photo credit: Joan Marcus.