 |
| Photo by Joan Marcus |
What a deliciously, deathly, dreadfully delightful show! Playing for a short time at the State Theatre, "
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" is based on the film "
Kind Hearts and Coronets." The story is about a man who finds out, after his mother has died, that he is a member of the D'Ysquith family...a well-off, aristocratic family. His mother married for love and was disinherited so the penniless Monty Navarro decides to see if he can change destiny. There are eight members of the D'Ysquith family between him and the family fortune. He decides, for love, to kill off the family until he becomes Earl.
 |
| Photo by Joan Marcus |
Yes - this is a light comedy that tends towards operetta (which I don't like but I loved this score). Yes - it is a very black light comedy. Yes - there are only eleven cast members. and Yes....ONE actor play all the eight members of the family that get killed. The cast was fantastic, and John Rapson as the "D'Ysquith Family" was astounding. The quick changes that took place between one of his characters exiting, and another walking on must be a blast to do backstage! Every quirky character was perfectly played - each very distinct and yet clearly all related, and mostly clearly all played by the same actor. I did wonder, at times, if there were audience members who didn't look at the program and thought that there were different actors for some of the family members. That is how different some of the D'Ysquith family members looked. Simply astounding.
 |
| Photo by Joan Marcus |
The set and costumes were just gorgeous as well. The set had a jewel-box proscenium set in the center of the stage. Most of the action took place on that stage, though the actual stage was also used at times. The staging utilized a perfect mix of classic theater tricks, and computer projections on the back wall. As an example, there is a scene that takes place while characters are ice skating. The back projection has a lovely winter scene on it, the set has very fake looking trees and mounds of snow creating levels (yet lovely to look at), and some of the actors made crosses behind the set. These crosses were made to look as if the actors were on ice skates by way of some board on wheels. A very simple trick that was well utilized. So, classic theater tricks mixed with modern technology. It is a great combination. As for costumes, I believe the photos clearly show how gorgeous they are. There are two love-interests for Monty and both of them had the most stunning costumes.
 |
| Photo by Joan Marcus |
Musically it was also gorgeous. It was a small orchestra of twelve creating a very classic sound appropriate to 1909, the year the show is set. Vocally the cast was fantastic as well. The diction and sound was great with only a few lines being lost to laughter. Honestly, I really can't say much more besides go see it. It is charming and delightful, funny and well, to use some lyrics from the opening number - "blood may spill, spines may chill, it's ghastly" and yet so much fun!
Note: The
Broadway production is closing in a few days so take this chance to see it on tour.
