The musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder starts with a warning. The opening tune, “Prologue: A Warning to the Audience,” warns it may disturb “those of you of weaker constitution.” The singers suggest the faint of heart should leave the theater.
It’s a show about social climbing, told in a satirical way. The story is told in a flashback by one Lord Montague “Monty” D’Ysquith Navarro, Ninth Earl of Highhurst who sits in jail, accused of several murders, writing his memoirs. In the 1907 flashback, Monty, who lived in a run-down Clapton flat, discovered from Miss Marietta Shingle, an enigmatic elderly woman, that his late mother was a member of the aristocratic D’Ysquith family.
The D’Ysquith family disowned Monty’s mother after she eloped with a Spanish musician. Because of that, Miss Shingle said that Monty was ninth in line to become Earl of Highhurst. Thrown on top of that mess was Monty’s love with Miss Sibella Hallward, who wouldn’t marry a low-born commoner like him.
Then there was the probable marriage of convenience between Monty and Phoebe D’Ysquith. To raise his social status, Monty resorted to a series of murders to become Earl of Highhurst. Will this be his end or will he find a way to remain the Ninth Earl of Highhurst?
A musical black comedy such as this takes shots at the British class system. It asks to what lengths a commoner would go to become highborn. It raises questions about the evils of overambition.
The show, which opened on Broadway in 2013, is based on a 1907 novel, Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by British writer Roy Horniman. That novel was also the source for the 1949 British film Kind Hearts and Coronets, which starred Alec Guinness. The plot reminded me of the 1990 film A Shock to the System, which starred Michael Caine. The musical book is by Robert L. Freedman, and the music and lyrics are by Steven Lutvak.
What can I say about Bob Gudauskas except bravo? He played nine characters: Asquith D’Ysquith Jr., Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith, Reverend Lord Ezekial D’Ysquith, Lord Asquith D’Ysquith Sr., Henry D’Ysquith, Lady Hyacinth D’Ysquith, Major Lord Bartholomew D’Ysquith, Lady Salome D’Ysquith, and Chauncy. So many of the highbrow characters he played evoked the Biblical quote “Pride goeth before a fall” because they met untimely ends in outlandish ways.
Gudauskas’ unfortunate character Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith elaborated on the themes of the show with songs like “I Don’t Understand the Poor” (which nailed the class-warfare theme) and “Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun.” He was delightful as Lady Hyacinth D’Ysquith in “Lady Hyacinth Abroad.” Gudauskas, in his Way Off Broadway debut, was fun to watch because of his larger-than-life demeanor.
Jarod Glou’s “Monty” D’Ysquith (pronounced DIE-Squith) used facial expressions to great effect in many of his most devious scenes — in which he displayed clever ways to dispatch those in his way. His standout tunes were “Poison in My Pocket,” “Foolish to Think,” “Sibella,” and “Stop! Wait! What?”
Megan Elizabeth West played the calculating Sibella Hallward, one-half of the duo of ladies Monty became involved with. West’s best tunes were “I Don’t Know What I’d Do” and the upbeat “I’ve Decided to Marry You.” West has a remarkable voice.
“Inside Out” was a song that carried forward the story well, as sung by Laura Hepp Saunders as Phoebe D’Ysquith, and Glou. She also appeared in “I’ve Decided to Marry You.” She had a duet of sorts with West in “That Horrible Woman.”
Amy Cajigas, a recent James Madison University graduate and opera singer, as Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith’s hateful wife Lady Eugenia, was a standout. Her spiteful back-and-forth over the dinner table with Gudauskas was comic wickedness.
Jessica Billones, who played Miss Shingle, made the most of her time on stage in her scenes with Glou. I liked their duet “You’re a D’Ysquith.”
Other notables were Wil Spaeth, who played Chief Inspector Pinckney, and Jonah Milam who played the Magistrate. Also in the cast were Raquel Luciano as Miss Evangeline Barely and Stephen Soares as Tom Copley.
Director Justin M. Kiska was able to bring the multitude of moving parts of this show together impeccably. The coolest thing Kiska did with his set design was having painted portraits opening up to reveal actors’ heads during one of the musical numbers.
Music Director Tina Marie Bruley’s recorded music complemented the cast vocals. Bill Kiska’s costume design was eclectic and spot-on for each of the quirky characters; costumes included military uniforms and period-lookin suits and dresses. The costumes set a Victorian tone.
I don’t think you need to be stout-hearted to get a good laugh out of this show. You’ll just need an attitude of having a great time. Come and enjoy the absurdity and shenanigans of one Mr. “Monty” D’Ysquith!
Running Time: Approximately two hours and 30 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder plays through October 21, 2023, at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, Willowtree Plaza, 5 Willowdale Drive, Frederick, MD. Tickets ($55–$60) can be purchased only by calling for reservations at 301-662-6600.
The menu is here.
Dress Code: Theater Casual is the requested dress. We ask that you DO NOT wear shorts or hats in the theater for mainstage performances. WOB reserves the right not to seat any guest who is dressed inappropriately.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Book by Robert L. Freedman
Music and Lyrics by Steven Lutvak
Based on a 1907 novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by British writer Roy Horniman. Also the source for the 1949 British film Kind Hearts and Coronets.
CAST
Monty Navarro: Jarod Glou
Miss Shingle, Tour Guide: Jessica Billones
Sibella Hallward: Megan Elizabeth West
Asquith D’Ysquith, Jr., Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith, Reverend Lord Ezekial D’Ysquith, Lord Asquith D’Ysquith, Sr., Henry D’Ysquith, Lady Hyacinth D’Ysquith, Major Lord Bartholomew D’Ysquith, Lady Salome D’Ysquith, Chauncy: Bob Gudauskas
Miss Evangeline Barely: Raquel Luciano
Phoebe D’Ysquith: Laura Hepp Saunders
Tom Copley: Stephen Soares
Lady Eugenia: Amy Cajigas
Chief Inspector Pinckney: Wil Spaeth
Magistrate: Jonah Milam
ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE TEAM
Director/Set Design/Lighting Design: Justin M. Kiska
Musical Direction: Tina Marie Bruley
Costume Design: Bill Kiska
Stage Manager: Mitch Brannen
Wigs: April Horn
