"A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder" - Cannon Theatre (Devens, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: The CAST of "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak now playing at Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. through May 25, 2025. Photo Credit: Shawn Cannon)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
“For those of you who may be faint of heart, this is a tale of revenge and retribution.”
- ("Prologue: A Warning to the Audience") / Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak
The Cannon Theatre
Presents the Musical
"A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER"
Book by Robert L. Freedman
Music by Steven Lutvak
Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak
Arrangement by Jonathan Tunick
Based on a Novel by Roy Horniman
Directed and Choreographed by Shawn Cannon
Music Director Emily Stratton
Stage Manager Kaitleyn Scott
Producer Patrick Cortis
Cast Includes: Michael Celularo as “Monty Navarro,” Donna DeWitt as “Miss Shingle,” Sara DeLong as “Sibella Hallward,” Samantha Sickorez as “Phoebe D'Ysquith,” Arthur Comer as “D'Ysquith Family,” Heather Pruiksma as “Lady Eugenia D'Ysquith, Actor, Ensemble,” John Lynch as “Inspector Pinkney, Physician, Portrait, Ensemble,” Erin Maher as “Miss Evangeline Barley, Actor, Ensemble,” Andrew Haber as “Tom Copley, Guard, Ensemble,” Joel Sadler as “Magistrate, Butler, Ensemble,” Rachel Cieslik as “Tour Guide, Skater, Ensemble,” Sophia Strano as “Newsgirl, Portrait, Ensemble,” Ilana Whitaker as “Newsgirl, Portrait, Ensemble,” Tim Maher as “Skater, Bee Keeper, Portrait, Ensemble.”
Additional Creative Team:
Tech Director/Set Build - Bret Bahe; Set Design/Decorating/Specialty Painting - Shawn Cannon; Specialty Set and Prop Welding – Adam Bellao; Sound Coordinator - Kaitlyn Scott; Lighting Design - Jake Snyder; Costume Design - Shawn Cannon; Props - Kaitlyn Scott, Donna DeWitt, Sam Sickorez, Bret Bahe; Hair and Wig Design/Makeup Design - Shawn Cannon; Light Board Operator – Bret Bahe; Sound Board Operator – Emily Stratton.
Performances:
May 9, 2025 through May 25, 2025
(Contact Venue for Exact Dates and Times)
THE CANNON THEATRE, 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens, MA.
TICKETS:
For tickets visit www.thecannontheatre.org
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COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
There might be no better way to celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend than by taking mom to enjoy CANNON THEATRE'S murderous musical comedy "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" which just opened.
The laughs come early and often in this musical farce, and the music is very much aligned to propel the humor along, which is possibly the show's greatest strength.
"GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE..." is the epitome of absurdist musical comedy - and everyone in the Cannon Theatre cast and creative team makes sure everyone in the audience is reminded of this fact throughout the show.
Also, it is a production that, no matter who stages it, this is a show that comes with many creative challenges and it is here that the team at Cannon have truly risen to the occasion with some innovative choices.
Featuring book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and featuring lilting score by Steven Lutvak, "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" is based on Roy Horniman’s 1907 novel “Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal.”
The Cannon Theatre staging is based upon the original Broadway production that won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 2014.
The score by Freedman and Lutvak tasks the Cannon Theatre cast with a bevy of difficult, intricate songs, rife with quirky (and occasionally tongue-twisting) lyrics - and the cast proves up to the task.
Directed and choreographed by Shawn Cannon, the principal cast features many fine vocalists supported by an enthusiastic and talented ensemble of singers.
(Photo: Sara DeLong as “Sibella Hallward” with Michael Celularo as “Monty Navarro” in a moment from "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak now playing at Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. through May 25, 2025. Photo Credit: Shawn Cannon)
Although it presents some sightline issues (on the far sides of the house), Cannon has incorporated the use of a large “box” along the back corner wall as a functioning part of their cleverly constructed set.
While this “box” looks intrusive at first - and it does cause some minor sightline issues for some scenes (most notably the act one scene at “Highhurst Castle” where some “interactive portraitures” are obscured) - it is soon revealed to be an ingenious device as it opens to widen and expose the full extent of the stage area.
Other creative choices made by director Cannon include immersing the audience into the show by bringing most of the action to the front and using much of the house for its ensemble moments.
All technical elements have been implemented with great consideration, especially in the areas of lighting, sound and costumes.
The costume plot for "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE..." is massive and the entire Cannon Theatre creative team involved is to be complimented for a fine presentation.
While the “sound board operator” is credited as the show’s music director Emily Stratton, this may be in part because a recorded track is used in lieu of a live pit or orchestra.
The use of recorded tracks often presents issues with vocalists as tempos might get thrown off as a result of unanticipated audience reactions.
Fortunately, under musical guidance by Stratton, these moments seem minimal (at least at the May 10th performance) most likely given the level of expertise among the cast.
(Photo: Michael Celularo as “Monty Navarro” with Donna DeWitt as “Miss Shingle” in a scene from "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak now playing at Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. through May 25, 2025. Photo Credit: Shawn Cannon)
The story for "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" begins in England at the start of the last century, approximately 1909.
As the intentionally ludicrous plotline unfolds - impoverished young clerk, Monty Navarro (Michael Celularo), is intent on committing mass murder for the sole purpose of proving himself financially worthy of marrying the lovely Sibella Hallward (Sara DeLong).
(See? A show mom would just love.)
As Sibella, DeLong expertly shows us a woman torn between her love of destitute-but-soon-to-be-rising-star Monty and her dedication to a man who can, now, help her assume what she feels is her rightful place in high society.
Celularo excels at the character of Monty, serving as both narrator and morally absent anti-hero.
Imprisoned at the start of the show, Monty, though his journal, regales us with his memories of how fate intervened, on his behalf, yet ultimately leading to his imprisonment and impending execution on the charge...of murder (or...love AND murder).
Supporting in a number of duets, Celularo delivers well on Monty's own songs, including, "Foolish to Think," "Poison In My Pocket," and "Sibella."
Celularo’s truly excels, however, in his marvelous rendering of the Monty character, elevating in the more comedic moments rather than the musical.
Celularo has a complete understanding of Monty in the areas of his ingenuity, resourcefulness...and in Monty's rather unambiguous moral failings.
Considering his memoir as more of a "guide,” Monty brings us back to where he meets Miss Shingle (Donna DeWitt) at his mother's funeral. In the number, "You're a D'Ysquith," Monty learns from the serpentine Miss Shingle that he is part of the family D’Ysquith and ninth in line to inherit the earldom of Highhurst.
Monty is stunned by this revelation of the long-withheld secret of his parentage. As the malevolent, manipulative and delightfully mischievous Miss Shingle, DeWitt gives an admirable performance making one wish the character was on stage far more often.
After Shingle "suggests" to Monty that all he would have to do is "remove" certain members in order to stake his claim on the sizeable inheritance, Monty “executes” his plan to eliminate those in line before him.
(Photo: Arthur Comer as “Rev. Lord Ezekial D'Ysquith” with Michael Celularo as “Monty Navarro” in a scene from "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak now playing at Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. through May 25, 2025. Photo Credit: Shawn Cannon)
Sure, Monty is a misguided, misconceived mass murderer - but, then again, nobody's perfect.
There's just something so lovable about Monty that makes you want to root for him.
As for Monty's "victims?" Do we root for them, as well?
Nope.
As it turns out, with perhaps one notable exception, not so much.
The D'Ysquith family members in Monty's cross-hairs (all played by Arthur Comer in a versatile, virtuoso "multi-roling" performance) include: Lord Adalbert D'Ysquith, Eighth Earl of Highhurst; Lord Henry D'Ysquith, his heir; Lord Asquith D'Ysquith Sr.; Asquith D'Ysquith Jr.; the Rev. Lord Ezekial D'Ysquith; Maj. Lord Bartholomew D'Ysquith; Lady Salome D'Ysquith Pumphrey; Lady Hyacinth D'Ysquith and Chauncey D'Ysquith.
Comer is creatively costumed, allowing for the distinguishing characteristics of each character to be on display as he portrays them throughout the show.
This is accomplished impressively as Comer must occasionally make any required costume/wig changes (including mustaches/sideburns/muttonchops, etc.) at a rapid pace.
In presenting these varied characters, Comer has a number of hilarious songs that includes the second act’s, "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun."
Scene after scene and one by one, Monty meets and is present for the “unfortunate deaths” of these D’Ysquith family members.
(Photo: Erin Maher as “Miss Evangeline Barley” with Arthur Comer as “Asquith D'Ysquith Jr.” in a scene from "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak now playing at Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. through May 25, 2025. Photo Credit: Shawn Cannon)
Utilizing the Cannon Theatre “box” again, one of the more humorous scenes involves attacking bees leading to a pivotal moment as Monty meets the attractive Phoebe (Samantha Sickorez) and is instantly enamored by her.
As Monty gets closer to Phoebe, he decides that, since Sibella has already chosen to marry another, Phoebe is the perfect choice to be Monty's countess when he becomes earl.
Sickorez is an exceptional vocalist who blends well with Celularo in the duet, "Inside Out" then later joins Monty with Sibella in the show’s most notable number, "I've Decided to Marry You."
Meanwhile, Monty struggles over his desire to achieve his ultimate objective while simultaneously being morally apprehensive to do much of what he must do in order to achieve that objective.
Fortunately, this is where fate tends to repeatedly step in on Monty's behalf.
As Monty meets the various D'Ysquith family members in the line of succession, each one is more absurd than the last, adding to some of the show's funniest scenes, especially during some of the D'Ysquith's more "unfortunate" events.
In unique and outlandish ways, and since the D'Ysquith victims are initially revealed as either repugnant or morally ambiguous, their deaths will unlikely result in much, if any, true sorrow.
(Editorial Note: One can only hope that a just-announced musical based on an actual recent murderous event does not approach its content in the same way making us either want to “root” for its “protagonist” or for his victim’s execution.)
(Photo: Michael Celularo as “Monty Navarro” with members of the Ensemble of "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak now playing at Cannon Theatre in Devens, MA. through May 25, 2025. Photo Credit: Shawn Cannon)
The Cannon Theatre ensemble for "GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE..." is a fine blend of outstanding vocalists effectively conveying the remaining parts of the score, including the show’s cautionary opener, "A Warning to Monty" and the Act Two opener, “Why Are All The D’Ysquiths Dying?”
As the audience anxiously awaits to see if Monty ends up with either Sibella or Phoebe, other D'Ysquith family members continue to meet their untimely, unfortunate and uproarious demises, one after another.
In the end...will Monty get away with it all or will fate, once again, "intervene?"
Why not bring mom along with you to find out the answer?
Ultimately, the Cannon Theatre show succeeds thanks to the creative use of space by its director and the earnest performances given by the principals and ensemble.
"A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" continues in Devens at The Cannon Theatre until May 25th, 2025 and it is a story simply to die for.
As part of their recently announced 2025-2026 season, coming up in October at The Cannon Theatre will be the dark and mysterious "WAIT UNTIL DARK" beginning October 24th, 2025.
For tickets, reservations and more information visit www.thecannontheatre.org
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Approximately two and a half hours with one intermission
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
On the night of his mother’s funeral, middle-class Englishman Monty Navarro learns an incredible secret: he is the “son of the daughter of the grandson of nephew of the second Earl of Highhurst.”
In other words, Monty Navarro is an aristocrat -- if he can only find a way to prevent the eight earls preceding him from inheriting the earldom first.
Buoyed along by love for two different women, the stunning and self-centered Sibella and the pious and witty Phoebe, Monty takes on his mission.
As for the D’Ysquith family?
One actor plays each ill-fated member, from the flamboyant country squire to the terrible actress to the aging war hero.
In the witty and ceaselessly entertaining "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" the audience is treated to Edwardian style, classic farce, and stunning operatic singing.
"A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE..." combines the best of the past with a contemporary sensibility and humor that earned it the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical.
With non-stop laughs, a unique and soaring score, and unforgettable characters, "A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER" has become an instant classic. (STAGEAGENT)
ABOUT THE CANNON THEATRE
THE CANNON THEATRE was founded by Shawn Cannon and Bret Bahe, who shared a dream of creating a community theater – a place for learning, and great plays, a place where people could enjoy the company of others, laugh, and just lose themselves in the joy of artistic expression. Over the years, the theater incorporated, and then became a non-profit organization, managed so that every precious cent made from each production is carefully fed right back into the creation of the next. During the Pandemic of 2020, the theater was forced to close, as their overhead was too high, They began searching for a new space during 2021, and found it in the late summer of 2021.
THE CANNON THEATRE board, which still includes the theater’s very active and passionate founders, invites you to join us and experience this welcoming community, whether as an audience member, an actor, backstage crew, or even director. We guarantee you will leave feeling satisfied!
28 Andrews Parkway
Devens, MA.
978-448-2108
