Review: A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER at Norton Center For The Arts

Colleen McLaughlin and Erin McIntyre in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

Music and Lyrics by Steven Lutvak

Book and Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman

Original Direction by Darko Tresnjak

Tour Direction by Peggy Hickey

Review by Taylor Clemons

Entire contents copyright © 2017 Taylor Clemons. All rights reserved.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder has had quite an interesting history. Opening on Broadway in the fall of 2013, it was a show, liked by critics, but lacking the widespread appeal of a commercial entity. The producers of the original production stood behind their show, and in June 2014, it became the little show that could when it took home four Tony Awards, including the all powerful Best Musical title. Business picked up, and the show would play in New York until early 2016, recouping its initial investment. The show's first national tour closed earlier this year, and now a slightly scaled down non-equity tour is making the rounds in smaller cities across the country.

The non-equity tour played a one night engagement at Danville's Norton Center for the Arts this past Wednesday night. The story revolves around Monty Navarro (Ryne Nardecchia at this performance), who suddenly finds out he is ninth in line for Earl of High Hurst, meaning that he is a long lost heir to the D'Ysquith fortune. He concocts a plan to pick off his relatives one by one so he can assume the title. All the while caught in a love triangle with Sibella (Colleen McLaughlin), his long time but non-committed lover, and Phoebe (Erin McIntyre), his distant cousin he meets in his conquest for the throne.

James Taylor Odom plays all eight of the D'Ysquith family members in Monty's way. Switching characters in almost an instant, Odom is a consummate character actor, and often has the audience in side splitting laughter. Nardecchia, an understudy for Monty was absolutely delightful. He had a certain charisma that put the audience on his side, even though he was, after all a murderer. McLaughlin as Sibella is too much fun! Sibella is my personal favorite role in the show, and McLaughlin played it with the right amount of silliness and whimsy. McIntyre as Phoebe was wonderful as well, showcasing her lovely soprano in what is arguably the less showy of the two main female roles.

The cast is rounded out by a wonderful ensemble of six (sometimes seven) actors who play various roles throughout the show. The score is a very classical English music hall style, and it suits the story perfectly with clever lyrics and amusing melodies. The book is swift and very funny, with clever jokes as well as sight gags galore.

In the end, you can't go wrong with is this show. It's just unapologetically and delightfully zany, with an continuous feeling of a fast paced farce. If A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder comes near or to your hometown, I strongly urge you pick up a ticket.

For upcoming dates and cites, please visit https://gentlemansguideontour.com/.

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