A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Musical
Writers:Overview
Synopsis
On the night of his mother’s funeral, middle-class Englishman Monty Navarro learns an incredible secret: he is the “son of the daughter of the grandson of nephew of the second Earl of Highhurst.” In other words, Monty Navarro is an aristocrat -- if he can only find a way to prevent the eight earls preceding him from inheriting the earldom first. Buoyed along by love for two different women, the stunning and self-centered Sibella and the pious and witty Phoebe, Monty takes on his mission. As for the D’Ysquith family? One actor plays each ill-fated member, from the flamboyant country squire to the terrible actress to the aging war hero. In the witt, and ceaselessly entertaining A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, the audience is treated to Edwardian style, classic farce, and stunning operatic singing. Gentleman’s Guide combines the best of the past with a contemporary sensibility and humor that earned it the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical. With non-stop laughs, a unique and soaring score, and unforgettable characters, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder has become an instant classic.
Show Information
- Book
- Robert L. Freedman
- Music
- Steven Lutvak
- Lyrics
- Robert L. Freedman , Steven Lutvak
- Arrangement
- Jonathan Tunick
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2012
- Genres
- Comedy, Farce
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- england, the early 1900s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
The musical version of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is based on both a 1909 novel and the novel’s 1949 film adaptation, neither of which share the musical’s name. The novel is called Israel Rank: the Autobiography of a Criminal, and was written by Roy Horniman. It concerns a middle-class man from a good family who learns that he is heir (albeit indirectly) to the Gascoyne earldom, and does whatever it takes to secure the inheritance he believes he is due. The British film
to read the context for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
A chorus of mourners appear, warning the audience that the story they are about to see may be disturbing, and inviting “those with weaker constitutions” to leave, immediately (“Prologue: A Warning to the Audience”). Then, the audience is transported to a prison cell in 1909, where Lord Montague D'Ysquith Navarro, Ninth Earl of Highhurst, is composing his memoir, entitled A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. The earl, who is called “Monty,” directly addresses the audience,
to read the plot for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Tour Guide (and Pub Owner’s Wife and Mrs. Pebworth and Third Newsboy) |
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Miss Barley (and Sibella’s Maid, Phoebe’s Maid, Lady Hyacinth’s Colleague, and Hilda) |
Featured |
Female |
Soprano |
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
Songs
Act One
- A Warning to the Audience - Ensemble
- You're a D'Ysquith – Miss Shingle and Monty
- I Don't Know What I'd Do – Sibella
- Foolish to Think – Monty
- A Warning to Monty – Ensemble
- I Don't Understand the Poor" – Lord Adalbert and Ensemble
- Foolish to Think (Reprise) – Monty
- Poison in My Pocket – Monty, Asquith Jr., and Miss Barley
- Poor Monty – Sibella and Company
- Better With a Man – Henry and Monty
- Inside Out – Phoebe and Monty
- Lady Hyacinth Abroad – Lady Hyacinth and Ensemble
- The Last One You'd Expect – Company
Act Two
- Why Are All the D'Ysquiths Dying – Lord Adalbert and Mourners
- Sibella – Monty
- I've Decided to Marry You – Phoebe, Sibella, and Monty
- Final Warning – Ensemble
- Poison in My Pocket (Reprise) - Monty
- Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun – Lord Adalbert
- Stop! Wait! What?! – Monty
- That Horrible Woman – Sibella, Phoebe, Detective, Magistrate, and Guard
- Finale – Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
A type of comedy that uses exaggeration, often with clowning and ridiculous behaviors, in order to entertain.
Slapstick is a style of physical comedy, often involving chases, silly and exaggerated movements and activities, and simple practical jokes. It can also represent violence in an over-the-top, comical guise.
Videos
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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