Kevin Massey, Megan Loomis and company in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Photo by Joan Marcus.
by Mark G. Auerbach
It’s a joyous Hartford homecoming for serial killer Monty Navarro, as A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, the 2014 Tony Award winning musical returns home for a week’s run at The Bushnell. Monty began his musical comedy life of crime at Hartford Stage in 2012, in a co-production with San Diego’s Old Globe. A successful Broadway run followed, and after the show closed in Gotham earlier this year, it began this national tour.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder features book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman (Tony Award winner for this production) and t music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak. Based on the 1907 novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by Roy Horniman, the musical is the story of Navarro, a distant heir to the D’Ysquith family fortune. In order to claim the fortune for his own, he must rise in the line of succession by getting rid of those in line in front of him (all played brilliantly by quick-change artist John Rapson). This musical has a laugh-out-loud, snappy script, a delightful score, and best of all, it’s all original–not a stage version of a recent movie.
John Rapson and company in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Photo by Joan Marcus.
With the help of fabulous staging by Darko Tresnjak, who picked up a Tony for his direction, nimble choreography by Peggy Hickey, and perfect music direction by Larry Greenberg, Monty and company provide a very funny, evening of original musical comedy.
Make note of the design team: the superlative sets by Alexander Dodge, the Tony award-winning costumes by Linda Cho, the near perfect lighting design by Philip J. Rosenberg, the dazzling projections by Aaron Rhyne, and top notch sound design by Dan Moses Schreier. Dodge, Cho, and Rhyne, alongside Tresnjak and Hickey were responsible for last season’s now Broadway-bound Anastasia.
John Rapson is so funny as an octet of D’Ysquith family murder victims; Kevin Massey
Kristen Beth Williams, Kevin Massey and Adrienne Eller in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Photo by Joan Marcus.
charms as Monty. Kristen Beth Williams and Kristen Hahn are lovely as Monty’s two leading ladies. The ensemble is high-spirited all the way.
A Gentleman’s Guide toLove and Murder plays at The Bushnell through Sunday, October 30.
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The Bushnell presents A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Book and lyrics by Robert L. Fredman. Music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak. Directed by Darko Tresnjak. . Choregraphy by Peggy Hickey. Music direction by Larry Goldberg. Scenic design by Alexander Dodge. Costume design by Linda Cho. Lighting design by Philip S. Rosenberg. Sound design by Dan Moses Schreier.. Projection Design by Aaron Rhyne.. Through October 30..The Bushnell, Hartford, CT. For tickets: 860-987-5900 or www.bushnell.org..
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Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio.
