GENTLEMEN'S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER -- Previews — Page 6

"I like that it's a humorous show with a more "traditional" score which references some classic composers instead of, you know, awful power pop or the cringe-worthy Broadway version of, quote-unquote "rock" music."

Or, you know, the brooding, etiolated, tuneless whining that is praised as great music.

Or don't you know?

I just got in from seeing this and I had such a good time! Okay, it's not as consistently funny as I'd hoped, and a lot of the music sounds similar, but these are minor quibbles with a very entertaining, devilishly clever musical.

Where do I even begin to talk about Jefferson Mays' performance (performances?!)? His character changes make your head spin; some of them I didn't even realize were him in the first few seconds because he had just been onstage in a completely different outfit/wig! And this isn't a performance that is great simply due to the high number of roles he plays; Mays manages to make each of his characters such a crisply drawn, wacky, diabolical concoction. Bryce Pinkham is delightful; I understand why he's been overshadowed by Mays' performance, but he's every bit his equal in a part that could have easily turned to bland mush in a less capable or less charismatic actors' hands. Lauren Worsham and Lisa O'Hare are great as well; their voices are piercingly crystalline.

The design elements are really lovely, particularly the costumes, which are gorgeously over-the-top. It's directed with such crisp comedic precision that the whole 2 hours and 20 minutes goes by in a clip. And, yes, I really loved the score. Sure, many of the songs have a similar sound to them, but I all but promise you'll be humming the tunes as you leave. The lyrics just may be my favorite thing about the show; so hilarious and witty, especially "Why Are All The D'Ysquiths Dying?," "Better With A Man," & that brilliant "I've Decided To Marry You" trio. The book is a bit more problematic, and it's where the show is most in need of some laughs (many of those are provided by sight gags, the actors, or the score), but it's a fine book nonetheless.

The show manages to sustain such a giddy, bubbly, delightful tone throughout, which was what really impressed me. Even in its ballads and slower moments, I still found myself smiling and almost entranced by it. It's so delightful and charming, I found it pretty hard to resist!

Updated On: 11/19/13 at 10:36 PM

Well, I certainly enjoyed the show. It is great fun, and I see a long life in regional theatre after its Broadway run. I would not miss this show based on anything negative anyone has said here. Each to his own.

I just got home and thought it was absolutely glorious. I so hope it finds an audience as it's a refreshingly original musical comedy.

The set and costumes were beautifully done and Jefferson Mays played each of the characters with such ease and originality. In theory, the first act could be repetitive as he kills all the heirs in his way but with refreshingly funny lyrics and clever plots, it was genuinely exciting to see how each murder would unfold.

The second act flies by even faster than the first and "I've Decided to Marry You," "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" and "Why are all the D'Ysquiths dying?" were three of the best new songs written for the stage I've heard in a while.

I really hope the good reviews will help it find an audience and allow it to run through the winter. The mezzanine was about 90% full.

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