Based on the 1907 novel "Israel Rank" by Roy Horniman, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder opened on Broadway Nov. 13, 2013, at the Walter Kerr Theatre. Critics praised the musical that has a book by Robert L. Freedman, music by Steven Lutvak and lyrics by Freedman and Lutvak.
In addition to taking the Tony Award for Best Musical, Gent's Guide won Tony Awards for Best Book, Best Direction and Best Costume Design. It earned a total of ten Tony nominations, more than any other production of the 2013-14 season.
The musical, which has grossed a total of $50,940,194 (as of March 29), has surpassed the $1 million weekly ticket sales mark at the box office only once during its run. For the week ending Dec. 28, 2014, (a lucrative time for Broadway shows) Gent's Guide took in $1,062,740.60, breaking the house record at the Walter Kerr Theatre. For the week ending March 29, the musical grossed $642,467 (out of a potential $958,928).
Lead producer Joey Parnes informed the Gent's Guide company of the good news earlier this week with a twist on one of the show's songs, "The Last One You'd Expect."
The lyrics follow: Look at us
No denying our humble start
But it fills up this bursting heart
When I see how well we've done
Look at us
All the kudos and big awards
Now we've got what success affords
Like a healthy Broadway run
Some clearly thought us unsuitable
But now we're a part of the group
Who would think
That a show almost cast aside
Could become such a source of pride?
And tonight we will recoup!
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A national tour will launch in September at Chicago's Bank of America Theatre.
Darko Tresnjak directs, and Peggy Hickey choreographs.
Here's how the dark musical comedy is billed: "Monty Navarro has just received some really great news from his late mother’s lifelong friend Miss Shingle! He’s a long-lost member of a noble family and could become the next Earl of Highhurst. There are only eight minor issues, namely the other relatives who precede him in line for the title. So Monty does what any ambitious, highborn gentleman would do: he sets out to eliminate them one by one, all while juggling his mistress (she’s after more than just love), his fiancée (she’s his cousin, but who’s keeping track?), plus the constant threat of landing behind bars! But it will all be worth it if he can slay his way into Highhurst Castle… and be done in time for tea. Each of the eight heirs perilously standing in the way of Monty’s fortune are played by Tony Award-winner Jefferson Mays, in one of the most breathtaking, whiplash-inducing performances ever attempted on the American stage."
The design team includes Alexander Dodge (scenic design), Linda Cho (costume design), Philip S. Rosenberg (lighting design), Dan Moses Schreier (sound design), Aaron Rhyne (projection design) and Charles LaPointe (wig design). Orchestrations are by Jonathan Tunick, and vocal arrangements are by Dianne Adams McDowell. Paul Staroba serves as music director.
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is produced by Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, 50 Church Street Productions, Joan Raffe & Jhett Tolentino, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Catherine & Fred Adler, Rhoda Herrick, Kathleen K. Johnson, Megan Savage, Shadowcatcher Entertainment, Ron Simons, True Love Productions, Jamie deRoy, Four Ladies & One Gent, John Arthur Pinckard, Greg Nobile, Stewart Lane & Bonnie Comley, Exeter Capital/Ted Snowdon, Ryan Hugh Mackey, Cricket-CTM Media/Mano-Horn Productions, Dennis Grimaldi/Margot Astrachan, Hello Entertainment/Jamie Bendell, Michael T. Cohen/Joe Sirola, Joseph & Carson Gleberman/William Megevick and Robert Greenblatt, in association with The Hartford Stage and the Old Globe Theatre.
Visit Telecharge.com. The Walter Kerr Theatre is located at 219 W. 48th Street.
