Review: Tour of 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' at Waterbury's Palace Theater

“This is not the end.” - Finale

Waterbury, CT - ‘A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder,’ the musical comedy with book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak, premiered at the Hartford Stage Company back in 2012 and I missed it. It moved to The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego and of course I didn’t see it there. Then it moved to Broadway in 2013 (where it won four Tony Awards) and I wasn’t able to catch it there either, so I was the happiest person in the audience when Frank Tavera announced the new season at the Palace Theater and I learned that the tour of ‘Gentleman’s Guide’ would make a stop in Waterbury.

This musical is based on the 1907 novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by Roy Horniman. It tells the unlikely story of Monty Navarro, an heir to a family fortune who makes it his mission to jump the line of succession by eliminating the eight relatives who stand in his way. At the same time, this gentleman has to juggle his mistress, his fiancee and the constant threat of landing in jail if he is caught before he succeeds.

Despite the murderous theme, this musical is the ultimate incarnation of pure fun. The two acts are a rollicking romp that moves quickly as Monty works his way to the head of the line of succession. The murders get zanier and the audience plays along, loving the snappy musical numbers accompanied by a fine small orchestra in the pit under the direction of Josh Cullen. At first some members of the audience had trouble with the accents, but then were quickly swept up in the action. It is all quite ludicrous and I loved every minute.

The six ensmble members cover the smaller roles and do very well, but it is amazing to watch the transformation of James Taylor Odom as he plays each and every doomed member of the D‘Ysquith family in his national tour debut. Amazingly, this actor plays nine completely different relatives of Monty, from a clergyman, to a lord and his father, to two ladies, with not a lot of time to change the necessary costumes/wigs/makeup/voice. Mr. Odom made it all look easy and made each character unique and believable.

As the gentleman on a murderous mission, Blake Price reminded me of Matthew Morrison as he sang well the role of Monty in his national tour debut. Kristen Kane aged up to inform Monty of his relation to the D’Ysquith dynasty in the role of Miss Shingle. Colleen McLaughlin was a stunner as the vain Sibella Hallward; she also played the awful Lady Eugenia and was a member of the ensemble. The fabulous Erin Mcintyre used her glorious lyric coloratura soprano to sing the role of Phoebe D’Ysquith in her US debut in her dream role.

Kudos to ensemble members Timothy Aaron Cooper, Ashton Michael Corey, Mia Fitzgibbon, Colleen Gallagher, Briana Gantsweg, Tyler Lenhart, Kristen Kane, Conor McGiffin, Ryne Nardecchia and Rosie Webber.

I was supremely impressed with the set designed by Alexander Dodge and looked forward to seeing how it would transform into the next scene. With a mix of projections and traditional set pieces, the gentleman and his victims traveled through Monty’s adventures and literally around the world. It was almost a stage upon a stage and it looked magnificent on the Palace stage. The costumes by Linda Cho looked sublime and brought us to the period in time.

If you were thinking of catching a performance in Waterbury, I highly recommend that you get tickets right away. Performances on Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm and seats are still available.

Graphic courtesy of the Palace Theater