‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ review

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” won four Tony’s in the 2014 Broadway season.  The book and lyrics are by Robert L. Freedman and music and lyrics are by Steven Lutvak.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” is a fast moving piece of fluffy work where (an energetic) John Rapson plays the murdered victim of eight characters, which at times takes sixteen seconds to change costumes and gender. The musical takes place in Edwardian London in 1909 and centers around our penniless hero Monty ( a tireless Kevin Massey), who finds out by accident that he is the eighth in line for the title of Earl of D’Ysquiths and is entitled to all their wealth and property. He goes about removing each character who stands in his way by cleverly murdering them by – subtle decapitation, bee stinging, drowning, pushing off a high building, poisoning, stabbing while carrying on affairs with egotistical Sibella (Kristen Beth Williams) and naïve Phoebe (Adrienne Eller).
Although charming, the songs and action reaches but never quite touches the top of the action. Musically cleaver and entertaining ‘I’ve Decided to Marry You’ is the show stopper with Monty dexterously keeping Sibella and Pohebe apart between a hallway, a bedroom and a sitting room.
The performance features clever chirography by Peggy Hickey, an unusual, interesting set by Alexander Dodge and fitting costumes by Linda Cho. Director Darko Tresnjak moves his actors at Olympic speeds and Musical Director Lawrence Goldberg’s baton leads a fine orchestra.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” will keep you alert and for the most part entertained; the energy dispatched by Rapson throughout the production is worth your attention.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”
Where: The Golden Gate Theatre, 1 Taylor Street, San Francisco.
Through: December 27th
Time: Runs two hours and thirty minutes with one intermission.
Tickets: $45.-$212
Information and reservations: 888-746-1799 or go to www.shnsf.com