A distant heir to a family fortune sets out to speed up the line of succession by using a great deal of charm… and a dash of murder.
Avon Players’ 79th season ends with the knock-‘em-dead, uproarious hit musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, running May 22-June 6 in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
When the low-born Monty Navarro (Adam Wager) finds out that he’s eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D’Ysquith family, he figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path. Can he knock off his unsuspecting relatives (all played by Tom Pagano) without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst? And what of love? Because murder isn’t the only thing on Monty’s mind. In fact, he’s juggling two love interests: his long-time sweetheart Sibella (Hosanna Phillips), who will not marry him due to his poverty, and Phoebe (Celeste Blanch), whom he meets and falls for during his murderous misadventures.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder opened on November 17, 2013, and ran for more than two years. This uproarious hit musical comedy was the most nominated show of its Broadway season, winning four Tonys, including Best Musical. The musical is based on the 1907 novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal. The show was written by regular collaborators Steven Lutvak (music and lyrics) and Robert Freedman (book and lyrics). Freedman’s credits include the screenplay for the 1997 television adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella starring Brandy and Whitney Houston.
Director Joy Oetjens was drawn to the script because of its tone. “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is a fresh, creative, and dark musical comedy with beautiful music, romance, and a little bit of murder,” Oetjens said. She also is invigorated by the challenges to the production team the script offers, chief among them the fact that one actor plays all of the members of the D’Ysquith family, requiring many lightning-quick costume changes: “The biggest challenges can also be the most fun. The actor playing the D’Ysquiths has to instantly transform—men, women, younger characters, older characters—and that’s only a part of the excitement. Our six-person ensemble collectively plays around eighty characters, so our designers are definitely working hard, and our backstage crew will be hopping to deliver the fast-paced comedy that will have audience members laughing until their sides hurt.”
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is rated PG for adult themes and comical violence. The show is presented through special arrangements with Music Theatre International. All authorized materials are provided by MTI.
Tickets for all shows are $28. Call 248.608.9077 for tickets or order online at www.AvonPlayers.org. Discounts on group rates are available by calling the box office. “Like” Avon Players Theatre on Facebook for special offers on tickets. All major credit cards are accepted. All seats are reserved.
Show dates and times follow:
- Friday, May 22; 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 23; 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 24; 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, May 29; 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 30; 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 31; 2:00 p.m.
- Friday, June 5; 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 6; 8:00 p.m.
Avon Players is celebrating its 79th season of bringing quality entertainment to its community. Founded in 1947, Avon Players is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit community theatre located along the winding banks of Stoney Creek in the quaint Historic District of Rochester Hills, only about two miles from the heart of downtown Rochester. Avon Players has been performing shows in its unique A-frame theater since 1965. With ticket prices set at a fraction of those at professional theaters (plus free parking), a family of four can experience a sensational live theatrical event for about the cost of one ticket at a “downtown” venue. And for regular theatre-goers, an affordable outing can be an even better bargain by taking advantage of Avon Players’ season ticket packages, which yield discounts of up to 15% per ticket. Additionally, season ticket holders enjoy priority seating selection and voting privileges in Avon’s annual “Stoney Awards.” Additional information regarding tickets and productions is available by calling the Avon Players box office at 248-608-9077 or by visiting the website: www.AvonPlayers.org.
Cast and Production Staff by Community:
Auburn Hills
Elaina Tang (“Woman #1”)
Berkley
Celeste Blanch (“Phoebe D’Ysquith”)
Clinton Township
Tom Pagano (“The D’Ysquith Family”)
Detroit
Ron Pietrantoni (Vocal Director)
Hazel Park
Hosanna Phillips (“Sibella Hallward”)
Oak Park
Nikki Mullaly (“Woman #3”)
Oakland Township
Lisa Miller (Wig Design)
Ortonville
Joy Oetjens (Director)
Zoe Oetjens (Hair/Makeup Design)
Rochester
Steve Maksymiuk (Set Design)
Tracey Nihem (Set Dress)
Rochester Hills
John (JD) Deierlein (Costume and Lighting Design)
Clayton Hargrave (“Man #1)
Nicholas Kibler (Sound Design)
Terek Murray (“Man #2”)
Teren Richards (Properties Design)
Shelby Township
Pamela Plewa (“Miss Shingle”)
Sterling Heights
Emily Brown (“Woman #2)
Ryan Gigliotti (“Man #3”)
Washington Township
Becky Eliakis (Wig Design)
Waterford
Adam Wager (“Montague ‘Monty’ Navarro”)
Shelby Smith (Properties Design)
Chris Stepnitz (Producer)
Westland
David Mety (Music Director)
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