Premiere musical is timeless & precise, led by virtuosic Jefferson Mays
By Charlene Baldridge | SDUN Theater Critic
How frequently does a D’Ysquith die in “A Gentleman’s Guide to Murder”? The answer is eight times, through a dizzying array of means – one more than once – and all hilariously so; especially when all the aristocratic D’Ysquiths, male and female, are played by virtuosic, Tony Award-winning actor Jefferson Mays.
Recipient of an MFA from UC San Diego, Mays was last seen locally as Charlotte von Mahlsdorf in a pre-Broadway workshop and the post-Broadway production of Doug Wright’s Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning “I Am My Own Wife” at the La Jolla Playhouse.
Having held forth as all the characters in “I Am My Own Wife,” Mays is supremely suited to portray the D’Ysquiths one and all in the new Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak musical titled “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” which is a co-world premiere production with Hartford Stage, where it debuted earlier. Based on “Israel Rank,” a novel by Roy Horniman, it continues through April 14 at The Old Globe Theatre.
If the plot sounds familiar, a 1949 film titled “Kind Hearts and Coronets” was also based on the same story, which concerns Monty Navarro (played by wondrous baritone Ken Barnett), whose disowned, disinherited late mother was a D’Ysquith. When he determines there are only nine D’Ysquiths between him and Highhurst Castle, Monty sets out, poison in pocket, to murder them all. Barnett’s challenge is to maintain the audience’s sympathy, even though he is a serial killer who manages to make all his murders look like accidents.
As Monty’s love interests, Lisa O’Hare plays the empty-headed, self-centered Sibella who spurns Monty because he has no money, and Chilinia Kennedy portrays Phoebe D’Ysquith, the attractive and forthright sister of one of Monty’s victims, Henry, who dies most hilariously. The production benefits from a sparkling well-heard ensemble of five and an orchestra of 12 conducted by Music Director Mike Ruckles, who also plays piano. Jonathan Tunick is orchestrator. Peggy Hickey is the choreographer.
Former Globe co-Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak, now artistic director of Hartford Stage, directs the lavish and complicated piece, which may become his Broadway debut. He fluidly stages the work on an ingenious, attractive set designed by Alexander Dodge, who calls upon Aaron Rhyne for projection design.
The set consists of a raised music hall stage with red velvet curtains and a detailed proscenium that is a show in itself upon closer inspection. This stage within a stage allows for quick changes behind the curtain while other scenes of meet-and-greet are played on the forestage and off to the sides. Longtime Tresnjak collaborator Linda Cho creates absolutely delicious turn-of-the-century gowns for O’Hare and Kennedy, who could not be thinner or more attractive in Charles LaPointe’s wig designs. Neither is chirpy except as required.
Outstanding among the musical numbers are Sibella’s “I Don’t Know What I’d Do,” which truly establishes character; Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith’s “I Don’t Understand the Poor;” “Better With a Man,” performed by Henry and Monty; and Monty’s “Sibella.” Freedman and Lutvak’s lyrics are exceptionally clever, and Lutvak’s music amusingly borrows from Gilbert, Sullivan and Sondheim.
The most outrageous costume belongs to Bartholomew D’Ysquith, the bodybuilder who dies gruesomely – I’ll spare you the details – in a weight-lifting accident.
To make a murderer and his murders acceptable one must tread an exceptionally fine line of detailed silliness. Here the treading is precise, timeless and extraordinary. The opening night audience was beside itself with joy.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”
WHERE: The Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way (Balboa Park)
WHEN: Thurs. – Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun., Tues. and Wed. at 7 p.m.; and Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. through April 14.
INFO: 619-234-5623
WEB: theoldglobe.org
