Natasha’s Guide To ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder’

Back in 2014 A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder won a bunch of Tony Awards, including the one for Best Musical, so when I heard it was coming to our neck of the woods, I had to check it out.

I didn't really know much about it, just that it was supposed to be really funny. And it was.

The plot in a nutshell: This guy, Monty, upon his mother's death, finds out that she was a D'Ysquith. The D'Ysquith's are wealthy and important. The family shunned Monty's mother because she married for love. When Monty finds out he's 8 successions away from being an Earl he takes it upon himself to become Earl no matter what. Which covers the murder part of the story.

As far as love, he's in love with Sibella, but she wants to marry a man of wealth. A girl's gotta eat, right? And while Monty is out on his mission to become Earl, he meets his cousin Phoebe and they start courting. Yes, I said cousin, but I guess it doesn't matter back in 1909.

Will Monty get away with it? Will he get caught? Which lady will he end up with?

Here is the thing that really sets the show apart from other musicals besides the comedy and the beautiful costumes. One guy plays 8 characters! Every member of the D'Ysquith family that is in succession to be Earl is played by one actor. And it is impressive. Male or female. Young or old. He plays them all! Especially, when you realize how fast some of his quick changes are.

James Taylor Odom plays all these parts in the touring company and he is amazing. Check out a little behind the scenes action of one of his quick changes.

How are they all so calm? That would be too much stress on my little heart.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder is showing through February 1 at the Washington Pavilion. For more information and to buy tickets, check out their website. 

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