A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder
Recipient of the Tony Award for Best Musical, about a charming scoundrel with noble aspirations and the eight relatives who stand in his way (all played by the same person).
... Read more"Gentleman's Guide" tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, an heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by—you guessed it—eliminating the eight pesky relatives who stand in his way (each played by Tony winner Jefferson Mays in what The New York Times calls “the year’s greatest musical theater performance"). All the while, Monty has to juggle his mistress (she’s after more than just love), his fiancée (she’s his cousin but who’s keeping track?), and the constant threat of landing behind bars! Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance… and be done in time for tea.
- Official Site
- View Trailer
- 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Already closed
- Walter Kerr Theatre (Midtown W)
Cast & Creatives (25)
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Reviews (2017)
19 Critics' Reviews
"A true tour de force that is hardly likely to be bettered on Broadway this season...Despite the high body count, this delightful show will lift the hearts of all those who’ve been pining for what sometimes seems a lost art form: musicals that match streams of memorable melody with fizzily witty turns of phrase." Full Review
"Since it turns on the niceties of aristocratic succession, why not start the coronation early: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is the new undisputed king of musical comedy. Filled with lunatic sightgags and the wittiest, loveliest show tunes in years, there’s not a weak link in the lively cast." Full Review
"The big hook of the musical “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” is Jefferson Mays. He doesn’t just give a performance — he gives eight of them, impersonating members of the same British family. And yet none of them really register." Full Review
"Witty and adorably wicked...the show’s heart is in the old music halls, where the jokes were vulgar, the songs were upbeat, the lyrics were in bad taste, and the thespians often got away with…well, murder." Full Review
"Everything about the show is so likable. I left Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder having had a perfectly pleasant time with a pair of talented new theatre-writers, in the company of a delightful cast.But rousing? No." Full Review
"The musical’s influences would lead one to expect a quick-witted comedy set in Edwardian England, and A Gentleman’s Guide delivers on this expectation. Jefferson Mays’ track record as a master of multiple characters promises some jolly acting, and A Gentleman’s Guide delivers on that promise. The musical is well-designed, well-acted, and well enough plotted (with some twists that are well-crafted.) Yet for all its cleverness and wicked charm, this is an entertainment I could easily have skip... Full Review
"With a thin premise, a sluggish book and unmemorable songs that vaguely resemble work by Gilbert & Sullivan and Noel Coward, the show makes for a tiresome 21/2 hours." Full Review
"The authors of the musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder are aiming for droll comedy; especially in the knock-’em-dead performance of Jefferson Mays as various undearly departeds, they usually hit their mark." Full Review
"The show embraces a full spectrum of moth-eaten British comic archetypes, not least of them the frightfully plummy Adelbert, togged out in upper-crust hunting gear, his big number backed by the singing portraits of deceased forebears. Also unmistakably English is the musical’s judicious smattering of bawdy humor and double entendres." Full Review
"An unforgiving theater fact: A musical can have everything else going for it, but without a great score it’s got a hole in its heart. Case in point — the fun but flawed “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.” Full Review
"A stylish music-hall mystery in which we know whodunit from beginning to end, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” has lively songs, a congenial villain and a physically and morally flexible mistress" Full Review
"I am happy to report that, although it has been running for close to two years, the production is as lively and polished as it was in 2013...The sets, projections and costumes continue to delight. The music seemed a little more monotonous this time and the lyrics were occasionally lost by less than ideal enunciation, but the show is still a wonderful treat." Full Review
"Theatergoers get two leading men for the price of one with “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,” a deliciously dark comic musical in which vicious slayings are played for laughs in elegant Edwardian England." Full Review
"Darko Tresnjak’s clever, gorgeously costumed production…Lutvak has proven himself a first-rate songwriter in the world of cabaret, but his work here is less memorable than I’d hoped. There are a couple of very fine comic numbers, but I expected some more beautiful ballads…Still, if you want two-and-half-hours of mayhem and merriment, guide yourself over to the Walter Kerr Theatre. The only danger you’ll be in for is having too good a time.' Full Review
"There are different ways to make it to the top. You could start at the bottom and work hard, or breeze into the family business — or you could try murdering your way to success, as in the dazzlingly funny new musical comedy "A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder." Full Review
"Jefferson Mays shape-shifting and comedic gifts are on glorious display in A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder." Full Review
"A most delightful and charming evening...Director Darko Tresnjak has imbued the piece with lots of clever and delightful sight gags and they work perfectly. Whether it is the fault of the authors or the director, the two acts are uneven. A lot happens in Act I and not enough in Act II...Nonetheless, it is a smart musical and can be enjoyed thoroughly. 'A Gentlemen’s Guide' ranks as one of the highlights of the fall season." Full Review
"The musical is smart, funny, and entertaining. There are many aspects of the production to praise with primary honors going to the tour de force performance of actor Jefferson Mays...'A Gentlemen’s Guide' is smaller in scale, but nonetheless wholly satisfying... Director Darko Tresnjak assuredly guides the musical through its paces." Full Review
Overkill has seldom been more enjoyable than in A Gentleman's Guide, a thoroughly delightful and uproarious Broadway musical about an Edwardian serial killer who could be a well-heeled cousin of Sweeney Todd by way of P.G. Wodehouse’s Jeeves." Full Review
1998 Members' Reviews
See it if you love Jefferson Mays and want to see him in play several different roles, each more ridiculous than the next
Don't see it if you arent a fan of murder being romanticized
See it if you like murder plots, both when they're successful and not, one actor playing a million different roles
Don't see it if you're looking for something serious or cerebral
See it if want a perfect night of excellent British theatre done with some of the best in the business.
Don't see it if you can't handle slap-stick.
See it if you enjoy witty writing, clever lyrics, memorable music and fantastic performances.
Don't see it if you're looking for a heavy drama.
See it if you like British humor.
Don't see it if you dislike British humor.
See it if you love theatre
Don't see it if you want to miss something great
See it if A light comedy. Actors were superb.
Don't see it if you won't, it closed.
See it if You like a funny English mystery romp with clever staging and broad acting
Don't see it if You don't like English farce
See it if you have a preference for musicals of a bygone era and that are original... you don't mind forgeting the music once you leave.
Don't see it if you like splashy, fantasy-based stories. You just want to see any musical. Save up and see one you really want to see and can appreciate.
See it if you want to have a jolly good time laughing your bollocks off at the antics of this funny family, particularly those of Jefferson Mays.
Don't see it if you are a grump.
See it if Jefferson Mays' performance; a purely fun musical comedy; Jefferson Mays' performance.
Don't see it if This felt like a smaller musical produced in a larger venue than intended, so skip it if you like your musicals "Les Mis"-ish.
See it if you want a great show, especially if Jefferson Mays is in it. He was amazing, with the ability to play multiple characters in the show.
Don't see it if you want more of a love story or show for kids..
See it if You love actor Jefferson Mays & want to see him play several characters in a murder mystery (all convincingly & with quick costume changes).
Don't see it if You don't like fun musicals. You don't want to see a man playing a woman on stage. You prefer dramas. You don't like the movie /game "Clue."
See it if you like an original production and want to laugh
Don't see it if you are looking for a more serious experience
See it if you like to see one man play more than 10 roles.
Don't see it if you don't like dark plays about killing to get ahead.
See it if You love costume pieces. Looking for a clever show. Looking for laughs! Enjoy a fun night at the theatre
Don't see it if You want music/lyrics you'll remember for years! Looking for a dance-focused show. Looking for a deeper show.
See it if you want to see a darkly hilarious show with awesome cute songs.
Don't see it if you are disturbed by a comedy about killing people to get ahead.
See it if You want to laugh seeing talented actors perform difficult scenes with remarkable ease.
Don't see it if Don't see it if you are looking for a serious piece.
See it if If you want great performances.
Don't see it if If you want to see a well written show.
See it if Fun show. Enjoyed it
Don't see it if No reason not to see it
See it if clever writing, witty and catchy songs, absorbing storyline, hilarious performances
Don't see it if you are expecting serious theatre
See it if So clever and fun. A new classic.
Don't see it if Historical, funny with whimsy is not your thing.
See it if you're an anglophile and you appreciate dark humor
Don't see it if you want your British period pieces to be polite and stuffy
See it if you want a very unique/different theatrical experience. Very funny and great acting!
Don't see it if you want gorgeous music or relatability.
See it if you enjoy a good farce! A charming comedy with catchy tunes, and a clever design. Stand out performance by Jefferson Mays. Legit score.
Don't see it if you're expecting drama, or anything serious, for that matter. Also not your bag if you like contemporary, edgy scores.