A deadly quest in 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder'

 

Andrew Cope is Monty Navarro, while Chesney Evert is Phoebe D’Ysquith. (Photo by Scott Lasky)

 

A young Englishman is handsome, charming and smart but virtually penniless. When he learns that he’s eighth in line for an earldom, he sets about eliminating the people ahead of him.

Such is the premise of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” the musical comedy being presented by Palo Alto Players.

The man in question is Monty Navarro (Andrew Cope). His competitors are all members of the D’Ysquith family. One of the fun parts of this show is that they’re all played by the same versatile actor, Brandon Savage. Costumes by Halbert M. DuBiel facilitate and delineate each of Savage’s characters.

Another fun part of this Tony-winning show is the varied way that each person meets his or her demise along with the way that Monty looks so innocent and angelic each time one of them dies.

And of course there are love interests with both Sibella Hallward (Brenna Silva) and Phoebe D’Ysquith (Chesney Evert) attracted to him.

Lee Ann Payne has expertly directed and choreographed this clever show, which features a book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak based on a novel by Roy Horniman.

Excellent acting, singing and dancing add to the enjoyment, as does Tony Gaitan’s music and vocal direction along with the old-timey stage set by Patrick Klein and sound by Chris Beer.

The only caveat is that the English accents can be hard to understand, but everything else is done well.

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” continues through Sept. 27 at the Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

For tickets and information, call (650) 329-0891 or visit www.paplayers.org.