Review: A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE at Kingsbury Hall is Pristine

Best Musical Tony winner A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER is playing at Kingsbury Hall to great, deserved acclaim. From its physical production to its performances, it is a pristine national tour of the hit.

A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER (book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman, music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak) is the tale of working class bloke Monty Navarro, who discovers he's ninth in line to inherit the massive D'Ysquith fortune. What is he willing to do to actually get there? And what quirky D'Ysquith heirs will he meet (and dispatch) along the way?

The zestful old-fashioned score, played by a robust live orchestra, has a modern twist that is well matched to the slightly off-kilter story.

The glossy production design is true to the period but has a contemporary sensibility. The parade of costumes by Linda Cho, framed by the clever set by Alexander Dodge, is an endlessly pleasing confection.

Kevin Massey as Monty Navarro is exactly what is needed for the leading man. He is both suave and self-deprecating, and he always keeps the action moving forward at a brisk pace.

It is a true joy to watch John Rapson playing each of the various members of the D'Ysquith family with panache. More than just a cheap gag, he fills each role with respect, treating each as a character deserving of a great performance.

Kristen Beth Williams as Sibella Hallward and Adrienne Eller as Phoebe D'Ysquith are just as well cast as Monty's two love interests. Both are wonderfully suited for their roles.

It is a rare treat for such a high caliber first-run tour of a Broadway hit to play in Salt Lake City so soon after launching. Thanks to the imminent opening of the Eccles Theater this fall, this will happily become a much more commonplace occurrence, but no less appreciated.

Tickets are available online at tickets.utah.edu, by phone at 801-581-7100, and the Kingsbury Hall box office.

Photo Credit: L-R Kristen Beth Williams (Sibella Hallward), Kevin Massey (Monty Navarro), and Adrienne Eller (Phoebe D'Ysquith). Photo by Joan Marcus.

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