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.
Set in London in 1907, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder centers on Monty Navarro, a penniless clerk who is informed after the death of his mother that he is ninth in line to inherit the earldom of Highhurst, controlled by the wealthy D’Ysquith banking family. After the imperious ruling Lord dismisses Monty’s claim of being a relative, the eight D’Ysquiths ahead of young Mr. Navarro begin dying in natural and unnatural ways. (A single actor plays all the not-so-nice D'Ysquiths, adding to the merriment.) Meanwhile, Monty is trying to woo money-minded Sibella Hallward —until he finds himself drawn to young Phoebe D’Ysquith. How will all these convoluted storylines come together?
"Daring, naughty and ingeniously absurd! This witty and adorably wicked new musical stars the endlessly inventive Jefferson Mays in multiple roles. Bryce Pinkham is terrific and almost indecently charming! Beautifully sung by the lovely Lauren Worsham and sexy-as-hell Lisa O'Hare.”"
Variety
Marilyn Stasio
"Side-splitting! 'Gentleman's Guide' kills it with comedy! Jefferson Mays' comedic gifts are on glorious display in this delightful new musical romp. He seems to have as grand a time as you will watching him."
USA Today
Elysa Gardner
"Staged with ingenious wit by Darko Tresnjak, this thoroughly delightful and uproarious new musical is quite simply, a bloody good time!”"
Entertainment Weekly
Thom Geier
"“Inspired and hilarious. Bloodlust hasn’t sung so sweetly, or provided so much theatrical fun, since Sweeney Todd first wielded his razor with gusto many a long year ago. 'A Gentleman's Guide' will lift the hearts of all those who’ve been pining for what sometimes seems a lost art form: musicals that match streams of memorable melody with fizzily witty turns of phrase. It has one of the most accomplished scores to be heard in the past dozen years, beautifully sung by a rich-voiced cast. Jefferson Mays' brilliant performance deserves to be immortalized in Broadway lore.”"
New York Times
Charles Isherwood