Over the past few years A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder has become one of my favorite musicals because it is absolutely hilarious! I was really excited to see the Empress Theatre's version last night and I was certainly not disappointed! This is an incredibly ambitious production and it is so well done that it might be the best show I've seen at the Empress! After the death of his mother, Monty Navarro (Riley Grover) learns that she was once a member of the wealthy and aristocratic D'Ysquith family but was disinherited for marrying his father. He is really Montague D'Ysquith Navarro and he is in line to inherit an earldom. However, there are eight family members in line ahead of him! When his vain and heartless girlfriend Sibela (Heather Shelley) marries the rich and handsome Lionel Holland, he decides to murder all eight family members ahead of him in the succession to become the Earl of Highhurst and win her back. Standing in his way are the Reverend Lord Ezekiel D'Ysquith (who has an unfortunate fall from the bell tower of his cathedral), Asquith D'Ysquith, Jr. (who has a bizarre ice skating accident), Henry D'Ysquith (who is stung by bees from his own hive), Lady Hyacinth D'Ysquith (who disappears in deepest darkest Africa and is presumed dead), Major Lord Bartholomew D'Ysquith (who is decapitated while lifting weights), Lady Salome D'Ysquith Pumphrey (who is killed when a prop gun is mistakenly loaded with real bullets during her stage debut in Hedda Gabbler), Lord Asquith D'Ysquith, Sr. (who suffers a heart attack after hearing about all of the deaths in his family), and, finally, Lord Adalbert D'Ysquith, the Earl of Highhurst, (who is mysteriously poisoned). Along the way, Monty falls in love with Phoebe D'Ysquith (Merci Hase) and marries her which makes Sibela jealous. When Monty becomes the Earl of Highhurst he is arrested for the murder of Lord Adalbert, the only D'Ysquith death for which he is actually not responsible! The charges are eventually dismissed when Phoebe and Sibela each give proof that the other committed the murder! However, Monty might not live happily ever after because Chauncey D'Ysquith, the next in line to the earldom, is lurking! The cast is absolutely stellar! The entire D'Ysquith family is played by Chris Last and he is so hilarious with brilliant facial expressions and gestures (not to mention some quick wardrobe changes). Every character has a distinct personality and I (along with everyone else in the audience) laughed out loud when each one made an appearance! My favorites are the outrageously flamboyant Henry who thinks everything is "Better with a Man" and the over-the-top Lady Hyacinth who just wants to do some good in "Lady Hyacinth Abroad." Grover is also outstanding with great comedic timing and both Shelley and Hase have beautiful voices, especially when they harmonize together in "That Horrible Woman." The set, featuring an elaborate stage reminiscent of an old music hall, is one of the best I've seen at the Empress and I was very impressed with how seamlessly the ensemble move the many props on and off. I especially enjoyed the clever staging of the singing portraits at Highhurst castle and Monty trying to keep Sibela and Phoebe apart in different rooms at his flat! The beautiful period costumes are also some of the best I've seen at the Empress, particularly the women's gowns (but I have to admit I also loved all of the top hats worn by the men). I loved everything about this show and I can't recommend it enough! It runs through October 22 (go here for tickets).
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