‘Gentleman’s Guide’ a musical-comedy gem

MULTI-TALENTED: Jefferson Mays in ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER
Book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman
Music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak
Based on the novel by Roy Horniman
Directed by Darko Tresnjak
Walter Kerr Theatre
219 West 48th Street
New York, NY
(212-239-6200), www.AGentlemensGuideBroadway.com

By David NouNou

While watching A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, and it starts looking familiar to you, as it will, that’s because it is loosely based on the brilliant 1949 British black comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets, with Alec Guinness playing the eight D’Ascoyne family members. The authors (Mr. Freedman and Mr. Lutvak) have cleverly retained the British flavor with a delightful Edwardian score befitting the period, and enough English humor and sensibility in the book to make it a most delightful and charming evening.

The D’Ascoyne name has been changed to D’Ysquith and Louis Mazzini, the disowned distant poor relative, is now Monty Navarro (Bryce Pinkham). After his mother’s funeral, young Navarro learns that his mum was a D’Ysquith and disowned by the family and left penniless because she married for love and beneath her station. He also learns that he is ninth in line to the Earldom of Highhurst. What follows is murder most foul and in the most hilarious of manners.

The eight members of the D’Ysquith family are all played by the wonderful Jefferson Mays. Each member has his or her own identity and they each get their comeuppance in due time. Each of their demises is cleverly executed and therein lies the fun. Mr. Mays is an incredible talent, and although each character he portrays only appears for a few minutes, they each have a distinct personality and tone. One should also give credit to the costume designer, Linda Cho, for making his costumes so easy to change, and to the assistant backstage helping him in and out of the costumes in mere seconds.

Besides Mr. Mays, there are three additional memorable and worthy performances. Mr. Pinkham as the mastermind behind the D’Ysquith murders is formidable in both acting and singing. The two ladies pursuing him, Lisa O’Hare as the luscious Sibella, and Lauren Worsham as the enchanting Phoebe D’Ysquith, are both in fine voice and pleasing to eyes and ears.

Now comes the tricky part. Director Darko Tresnjak has imbued the piece with lots of clever and delightful sight gags and they work perfectly. Whether it is the fault of the authors or the director, the two acts are uneven. A lot happens in Act I and not enough in Act II. This had all the makings for a superb musical had it been a 100-minute one act without an intermission and the excess fat in Act II could have been trimmed.

Nonetheless, it is a smart musical and can be enjoyed thoroughly. A Gentlemen’s Guide ranks as one of the highlights of the fall season.

‘A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER’: (left to right) Joanna Glushak, Lauren Worsham, Bryce Pinkham, Lisa O’Hare & Jefferson Mays. Photo: Joan Marcus

MURDER & MUSIC: Jefferson Mays (center) & the cast of ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

BIG FUN IN OLD BLIGHTY: Jefferson Mays, Jane Carr & Bryce Pinkham in ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.’ Photo: Joan Marcus

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published November 22, 2013
Reviewed at press performance on November 21, 2013