WaterTower Theatre presents A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Directed by Penny Ayn Maas
My thoughts on A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder or…Murder never looked so good
WaterTower Theatre presents
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Book and Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman
Music and Lyrics by Steven Lutvak
Directed and Choreographed by Penny Ayn Maas
Music Direction by Jeff Crouse
This Tony winning musical comedy of murder and mayhem is better than ever at the WaterTower. Director/Choreographer Penny Ayn Maas has put together a cast and crew who know how to deliver first rate entertainment. This Gentleman’s Guide is in a word, glorious.
The set, costumes, and props were all designed by Murell Horton, who is prodigiously talented. The multi-level set transforms from modest home to castle to skating pond and more seamlessly and the props complement every scene. The costumes are authentic for 1907 Britain, and, in the case of the upper-class female characters, also dazzling. Aaron Johansen’s lighting captures every moment, and I admired his use of color to enhance the character of Sibella. Mark Howard designed the sound and makes every word, lyric, and sound clear. Speaking of sounds, Music Director Jeff Crouse conducts a nine-piece ensemble that produces such lush, rich music that it sounds like the Dallas Symphony is behind the scrim.
The comic plot involves the scheming of Monty Navarro, to remove all members of the D’Ysquith family who stand in the way of his becoming the Ninth Earl of Highhurst. The comedy builds as each person falls victim to Monty’s ingenious and hilarious methods of murder. Monty’s life is further complicated by his two love interests Sibella Hallward, who adores Monty, but not his poverty, and Phoebe D’Ysquith, who falls for Monty, and will be a suitable companion for the future Earl of Highhurst. The rivalry of these two women provides one of the great comic highlights of the play.
Laura Lyman Payne, one of DFW’s finest actor/singers, is a witty and winning Sibella. Payne can convey an entire character with just a glance or a movement, leaving the audience no question as to Sibella’s motives and her scenes with Monty are both sexy and comic simultaneously.
Alison Whitehurst, who has a soprano that is so incredibly stunning it would make angels suicidal, is a wonderfully appealing Phoebe. I am not certain if comic determination is even an emotion, but that is exactly what Whitehurst’s face indicates as she garners laugh after laugh expressing her love for Monty and her disdain for Sibella. Someone needs to give Payne and Whitehurst their own variety series. What a show that would be.
Andrew Keeler, with his strong, smooth voice, is a charming and dashing Monty Navarro D’Ysquith. He has superb comic timing and makes the murderous, narcissistic Monty endearing. One of Keeler’s best scenes occurs when Phoebe shows up during one of his trysts with Sibella and he tries desperately to keep the two women apart. Keeler’s verbal and physical comedy are both impressive.
Randy Pearlman as the entire D’Ysquith Family is the comedy marvel of Gentleman’s Guide. Pearlman changes genders and ages constantly, sometimes in moments. He makes each character distinct, and most are screamingly funny. Pearlman has skills similar to the great comedians of yesteryear. He can pull the audience in and take us anywhere he wants us to go. We are captive to his comedy for the evening. This is one of those performances you must see to believe.
The four main characters are supported by an outstanding ensemble of singers/dancers/actors that Director/Choreographer Maas employs in never-ending variations. They assume multiple characters and add so much to the comic mood of Gentleman’s Guide. Included in this talented group are Sarah Caldwell, Megan A. Liles, Mary Kim, Anthony J. Ortega, Nick Moore, and D’Mariel Jones.
WaterTower’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is one of this summer’s don’t miss shows. It’s a comic, tuneful romp with top notch performers, beautiful sets and costumes, and great music. The fun never stops. Just glorious!
