‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ at Avon Players Is a Delightfully Deadly Musical Comedy
There are musicals that ask audiences to suspend disbelief, and then there is A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, a show that gleefully tosses logic out the window in favor of wit, charm, romance, and an astonishing body count. The Tony Award-winning musical follows the ambitious Montague “Monty” Navarro as he discovers he is eighth in line to inherit the prestigious D’Ysquith earldom. Faced with a seemingly impossible climb to aristocratic status, Monty begins contemplating a solution that is equal parts horrifying and hilarious: removing each heir standing in his way. The result is a fast-paced comedy of manners filled with mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and increasingly elaborate murders.
[Warning: spoilers from A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder are below!]
A gentleman with a problem
The story begins with Monty Navarro, played by Adam Wager (Prince of Egypt, The SpongeBob Musical), a charming but financially struggling young man who has spent his life on the fringes of society. After the death of his beloved mother, Monty learns a startling family secret from the ever-looming Miss. Shingle, played by Pamela Plewa (Farce of Habit). Through a distant branch of the family tree, he is actually related to the wealthy and influential D’Ysquith family and sits eighth in line to inherit their title and fortune. At first, the revelation seems little more than an interesting curiosity. After all, seven living relatives stand between Monty and the life he dreams about. Yet as he watches the privileges enjoyed by the upper class, and as his romantic prospects become increasingly complicated, the temptation to move up the succession ladder becomes difficult to ignore.
What follows is a deliciously dark journey as Monty decides that patience may not be his strongest virtue. One by one, he begins orchestrating the untimely departures of his unsuspecting relatives. The brilliance of the musical lies in how it treats these murders not as grim acts of violence but as absurd comic set pieces. Every scheme becomes more outrageous than the last, transforming what could have been a macabre premise into one of Broadway’s most entertaining farces.
One actor, many victims in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
One of the show’s most celebrated theatrical devices is the casting of a single performer to portray the entire D’Ysquith family. In Avon Players’ production, Tom Pagano (Guys & Dolls) takes on this monumental challenge, stepping into the shoes of every eccentric heir who finds themselves unexpectedly crossing paths with Monty.
The audience is introduced to a colorful collection of aristocrats, each more ridiculous than the last. There are pompous noblemen, self-important clergymen, adventurous socialites, and eccentric family members whose personalities are often as exaggerated as their inevitable fates. Watching a single actor transform repeatedly into completely different characters becomes one of the evening’s greatest pleasures.
Because audiences know every D’Ysquith is living on borrowed time, each new appearance creates a sense of anticipation. How will this relative meet their end? How long before Monty finds a way to move one step closer to his goal? The answers become increasingly inventive as the musical progresses.
Murder is not the only thing on Monty’s mind
While the body count continues to rise, Monty faces another challenge entirely: love.
His heart remains attached to Sibella Hallward, portrayed by Hosanna Phillips (Young Frankenstein, A Certain Kind of Light). Sibella is beautiful, ambitious, and thoroughly practical. Though she clearly enjoys Monty’s company, she is unwilling to sacrifice financial security for romance. Her pursuit of wealth frequently places Monty in frustrating situations, forcing him to question whether love alone is enough.
Complicating matters further is Phoebe D’Ysquith, played by Celeste Blanch (The Sound of Music). Unlike Sibella, Phoebe genuinely admires Monty and seems drawn to him for reasons beyond status or wealth. Intelligent, kindhearted, and increasingly captivated by the young man, Phoebe represents a very different future than the one Monty initially imagined.
The resulting love triangle provides some of the musical’s strongest emotional and comedic moments. Monty finds himself juggling secret murders while simultaneously navigating romantic confusion. The contrast between these two worlds creates much of the show’s humor. Few protagonists can claim they are struggling to choose between two women while also systematically eliminating members of the British aristocracy.
The ensemble keeps the chaos moving at Avon Players
While A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder may revolve around Monty Navarro’s increasingly ambitious quest for power, the production would not function without a strong ensemble capable of bringing the world of Edwardian England to life. Avon Players’ ensemble members seamlessly shift between aristocrats, servants, townspeople, mourners, party guests, and countless other roles, creating a constantly evolving backdrop for Monty’s schemes.
Elaina Tang (Prince of Egypt), Emily Brown (Young Frankenstein), Nikki Mullaly, Clayton Hargrave, Tarek Murray, and Ryan Gigliotti (Prince of Egypt) embrace the musical’s fast-paced style with enthusiasm, helping maintain the show’s momentum through rapid scene transitions and elaborate comedic sequences. Whether reacting to one of the D’Ysquith family’s unfortunate accidents, populating lavish social gatherings, or adding vocal richness to the musical numbers, the ensemble serves as the connective tissue that keeps the production moving effortlessly from one outrageous situation to the next.
Costume changes, character switches, and precise timing are essential components of the show’s comedy. The ensemble rises to the challenge, ensuring that every corner of the stage feels alive. Even in moments when they are not the primary focus, their reactions and character work contribute significantly to the humor and atmosphere, creating a fully realized theatrical world where absurdity feels completely natural.
A production team with a clear vision
Productions of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder require an enormous amount of coordination behind the scenes, and Avon Players’ creative team successfully balances the musical’s sophisticated elegance with its delightfully dark sense of humor. Under the direction of Joy Oetjens, the production embraces both the farcical comedy and genuine heart that have made the show a favorite among theater audiences. Oetjens maintains a brisk pace throughout, allowing the story’s escalating absurdity to build naturally while never losing sight of the characters driving the narrative.
Musical Director David Mety & Vocal Director Ron Pietrantoni ensure Steven Lutvak’s Tony Award-winning score receives the attention it deserves. The score’s intricate harmonies, rapid lyrical passages, and operetta-inspired style require both precision and energy from the cast, and the musical direction provides a strong foundation for the production’s musical success.
Like many successful community theatre productions, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is ultimately the result of countless hours contributed by designers, technicians, stage managers, builders, costumers, and volunteers. Their collective efforts allow the audience to focus on the laughter, romance, and intrigue unfolding on stage while the complex machinery of live theatre operates seamlessly behind the curtain. Producer: Chris Stepnitz, Costumes/ Lighting Design: JD Deierlein, Sound Design: Nick Kibler, Set Design: Steve Maksymiuk, Wig Design: Lisa Miller, Set Design/Dress: Tracey Nihem, Hair & Makeup Design: Zoe Oetjens, Properties: Teren Richards & Shelby Smith.
Know before you go
Performances run May 22–24, May 29–31, and June 5–6, 2026. The production is rated PG for adult themes and comical violence.
Whether you are a longtime fan of the musical or experiencing Monty Navarro’s murderous rise to nobility for the first time, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder offers exactly what its title promises: elegance, intrigue, romance, and a wonderfully excessive amount of mayhem.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder runs at Avon Players through June 6th, so get your tickets now! Are you excited to see this local Rochester Hills production? Share your thoughts on social media and tag @bsb.insider to continue the conversation!
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