Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak’s new musical comedy A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder will transfer to Broadway this fall, according to The New York Times. The musical is set to begin preview performances at the Walter Kerr Theater on October 22, with an opening night scheduled for November 17.
Directed by Darko Tresnjak, who staged the musical at the Old Globe Theater and at Hartford Stage, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder will star Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays reprising his role(s) as eight different heirs to the D’Ysquith family fortune. Additional casting will be announced later.
Based on Roy Horniman’s novel Israel Rank, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder finds Monty Navarro, a British commoner, discovering that he’s ninth in line to inherit the Earldom of Highhurst and electing to murder the members of the odious D’Ysquith family standing in his way. In the process Monty keeps a mistress, Sibella Hallward, and courts the comely young Phoebe D’Ysquith.
Mays made his Broadway debut in the solo drama I Am My Own Wife, earning a Tony Award for Best Actor. He has also appeared on Broadway in Pygmalion, Journey’s End and the 2012 revival of Gore Vidal's The Best Man. His off-Broadway plays include Blood and Gifts. Mays' film and TV credits include Kinsey, Alfie and The Good Wife.