Move two years ahead and I am immersed in the world of Hamilton and Lin-Manuel Miranda's next big hits throughout the movie business and the theater world alike. The best musical winner from two years ago certainly wasn't on my mind. That is, until I looked at the shows coming to Cincinnati this season, and discovered that this musical that had closed on Broadway over a year ago had launched its first national tour, and had placed one of its first stops on the stage of the Aronoff Center. Once again, it managed to spark my interest.
I pursued tickets, putting them on Christmas lists and setting aside money here and there, admittedly rather lazily. If I didn't see the show, it wouldn't be the end of the world. There were plenty of others that I wanted to see more adamantly this season. However, as fate would have it, Christmas morning bestowed me with a pair of tickets for the first Friday evening of the new year. I'd get the chance to see a show that had been put on the back burner with hopes of being as impressed as everyone else who had seen it.
The plot is relatively simple, the average, unassuming man Monty Navarro suddenly realizes he's eighth in line to be Earl of High Hearst, held by the flamboyant Dysquith Family. Like any man desperate for an improved station, he begins killing all of his relatives in hopes to succeed the current Earl. All the while, he is seduced by the alluring Sibella, an unhappily married woman, and is also pursuing a relationship with the quiet, kind Phoebe Dysquith. These two conflicts collide into one messy entanglement of murder trials and marriages until Monty achieves his goal of rising considerably above his station as the new Earl of High Hearst.
The production, while rather small and quaint, succeeds to surpass expectation. Gentleman's Guide is wildly funny, with both the dark sensed humor, full of snark and irony, and the light humor of silly jokes and foolish antics. While not for the faint of heart, the musical does offer touching moments full of affection, perfectly balanced with the grotesque notion of mass murder for personal gain. The cast is top tier with the unique trait of having one man play each of the eight murdered relatives, encompassing the full range of stereotypical characters once may act as. The talent is immense and refreshing, a true modern musical with a familiar, traditional sound.
By the end of the long running time (a surprising three hours), the viewer is engrossed in Monty's life, tapping their feet to the catchy, witty songs and taking in the bright colors distinct for each character, paired with a wildly different personality. The plot is far from predictable, with twists and turns that enthrall and excite, and by the time of the final act, one is on the edge of their seat, waiting for the overall irony of the last resolution of the show to make its hilarious impact.
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder in the end proved to be much more entertaining than initially presented. Expectations were high with a musical that took the prime honor of the glamorous Tony's, but the unique comedic atmosphere presented in the flamboyant production has yet to be matched. For those who thrive on the snarky, darker humor, the show is nearly perfect. It is a hidden gem that is a welcoming surprise to those who happen to receive tickets, whether on a whim or out of genuine interest. It is the perfect way to spend an evening, for what could be more entertaining than watching eight elaborate murders taking place within the span of two acts?
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