Audiences die laughing at “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at Stuttgart Theatre Center (J & M Media)

Director Sarah Viola is ready to thrill audiences once again at The Stuttgart Theater Center as she ushers the audience into her world of early 20th-century London with an exceptionally talented cast of ladies and gentlemen.

A well chosen and technically challenging piece, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” navigates audiences through the life changing events of middle class Monty (Dave Wilson) as he learns he has ties to the wealthy D’Ysquith family.

Destined to lose his love Sibella (Leah Wall), due to financial expectations, Monty takes on an ambitious journey in order to keep her love and eventually falls into the affections of another. Will this love triangle become deadly?

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at Stuttgart Theatre Center (J & M Media)

Wilson’s charming performance of Monty is seamless and smooth, effortlessly threaded from scene to the scene as he glides through interactions with his talented fellow cast members.

As we watch Monty strive to secure a better station for himself in the name of love, we are introduced to the eccentric aristocratic family of the D’Ysauiths. All nine characters in this family are performed by the talented TSgt Aaron Vonderhaar. Yes, all nine! While a cat may have nine lives, Vonderhaar’s nine cleverly distinguished characters are not so lucky. Time and time again they fight fate and we watch them succumb to their timely demise amidst clever sets and talented actors.

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” at Stuttgart Theatre Center (J & M Media)

As delightful voices and harmonies soar through the theater sharing hysterical lyrics in such songs as “I Don’t Understand the Poor” and “Poison in my Pocket,” one cannot miss the glorious operatic soprano vocals of Phoebe (Erica Page).

The live orchestra, under the music direction of Alan Buxkemper, keeps the audience on track as they learn how the once extensive family tree of the D’Ysquith’s is, indeed, dwindling down to a twig.

Enjoy this extraordinary production as you are carried through a satirical adventure with twists, turns and a zest of murder guaranteed to make you continuously chortle and gaffaw.

Performance Dates