by Joanne Engelhardt

It’s difficult to imagine a more nearly flawless theatrical production playing in the Bay Area right now than Palo Alto Players’ current offering of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at Lucie Stern Theater in Palo Alto. It’s spectacular, and then some.

What makes it so excellent?  Foremost, a terrific cast headed by Andrew Cope as Montague (Monty) Navarro and the astounding Brandon Savage as not one, two or three, but EIGHT members of the D’Ysquith family. It’s actually refreshing to discover a musical play that has two such very strong male leads as Cope and Savage. They have heaps of charm, particularly when making quick asides to the audience.  Both play their leading roles with unflinching commitment, so all audiences need to do is just sit back and marvel.

There’s also depth in this strong cast, most especially the two charming leading ladies: Brenna Silva as the vision-in-pink Sibella Hallward,  and Chesney Evert as Phoebe D’Ysquith.

Director Lee Ann Payne lovingly guides her cast through the Tony Award-winning musical that was inspired by Roy Horniman’s 1907 novel, “Israel Rank.”  (The novel was also the inspiration for the classic film comedy, “Kind Hearts and Coronets” which featured a bravura performance by the great Alec Guinness.)

For the musical, both book and lyrics are written with a light, comedic touch that director Payne likens to Gilbert and Sullivan, along with Warner Brothers Cartoons!

Set in about 1907 London (and its surrounding countryside), this production easily evoked laughter from the near-capacity crowd on opening night. Scenic designer Patrick Klein outdid himself on this project. Sometimes the sets feel fluid, segueing from one location to another, while actors move forward, backward and  occasionally even sideways to create new mises en scène.

The entire cast is exceptional, with strong singing voices and the ability to play a multitude of supporting roles.

Music and vocal director (as well as orchestra conductor) Tony Gaitan leads his large orchestra of 12 musicians from the pit with verve and energy.  At times, however, the orchestra continues playing a tad too loudly when actors start to speak their lines. There’s no doubt about the fact that this is a musical!  Besides the overture, there are 12 musical numbers in Act 1 and nine additional ones in Act 2, as well as several reprises.

There are some difficulties with sound (designed by Chris Beer) which resulted in some words being unintelligible, which alas, seems to be an ongoing difficulty at the venerable Lucie Stern Theater. Some seats have better acoustics than others.

A wonderful ensemble of eight actors, wearing all black, perform as a chorus variously identified as Mourners, Ancestral Portraits, Colleagues, and Ancestral Busts. All are excellent, but David Murphy deserves a special call out as not only the tallest of the ensemble, but the one who manages to impressively sing the lowest note.

Finally, given that Brandon Savage plays eight quite distinct characters, many quick costume changes must be accomplished off stage, to the credit of wardrobe/dressers Alanna Bardell, Barbara Heninger and Jamie  Wang who clearly deserve special mention.

There is much to appreciate, love and enjoy about this production of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.” This critic’s only question: Why doesn’t this popular and celebrated musical receive more Bay Area productions?

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” plays at the Lucie Stern Theater in Palo Alto through September 27, 2026.  For further information, click here.

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Rating:  ***** (For an explanation of TheatreStorm’s rating system, click here.)
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“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” Book by Robert L. Freedman. Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak. Music by Steven Lutvak. Based on the novel, “Israel Rank,” by Roy Horniman.  Produced by Palo Alto Players. Director and Choreographer: Lee Ann Payne. Music and Vocal Director: Tony Gaitan. Assistant Director: Adrianna Hokk. Scenic Designer: Patrick Klein. Costume Designer: Halbert M. DuBiel. Lighting Designer: Raven M. Manalo. Sound Designer: Chris Beer. Hair, Wig & Makeup Designer: Melissa Mei Jones. Properties Designer: Greet Jaspaert. Fight & Intimacy Coordinator: Bessie Zolno.  Dialect Coach: Brennah Kemmerly. Sound Supervisor: Jeff Grafton. Stage Manager: Cayleigh Spikes. Technical Director & Master Carpenter: Kevin Davies. Master Electrician: Darbus Oldham. Carpenters: Alex Barbieri, Neil Salami, David Serafini, Michael Williamson. Scenic Artist: Greet Jaspaert. Scenic Painter: Jaime Melendez-Davies. Sound Board Operator: Alex Orr. Assistant Stage Manager: Neil Salami. Assistant Costume Designer: Lisa Rozman. Wardrobe/Dressers: Alanna Bardell, Barbara Heninger, Jamie Wang. Follow Spots: Haiden Thomas Grushkin, Carla Sanchez, Judy Zellers. Deck/Fly Crew: Alex Barbieri, Neil Salami.  Social Media Coordinator & Movement Captain: Corinna Laskin.

Cast:

Montague “Monty” Navarro: Andrew Cope. Miss Shingle: Sarah Jebian. Sibella Hallward: Brenna Silva. Phoebe D’Ysquith: Chesney Evert. D’Ysquith Family (8 D’Ysquith family members): Brandon Savage. Featured Players: Vanessa Alvarez, Milovan Bogdanic, Sam Kim, Corinna Laskin, David Murphy, Jackson Paddock, Patrick Rivera, Alea Selburn.

Orchestra:

Conductor: Tony Gaitan. Keyboard: Matthew Mattei. Violins: Marian Lin, Jaime Yuen. Viola: Paula Filseth. Cello: Karmen Peng. Oboe: Vicky Xiong. Clarinet: Jordan Selburn. Bassoon: Gail Selburn. Trumpet: Ricky Hall. Horn: Blossom Santiago. Bass: Andrew Lawrence. Percussion: Christine Lovejoy. Rehearsal Pianists: Jeremy Erman, Jonathan Erman, Eric Kong, Matthew Mattei.