‘Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ opens DePauw theater season this week

Following the story of one man who is trying to kill the eight heirs ahead of him in line to a dukedom, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” opens Thursday at DePauw University.

Courtesy DePauw University

DePauw theater kicks off its 2019-20 season with the bloody brilliant musical comedy “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.”

When Monty Navarro, the black sheep of the D’Ysquith family, finds out he is ninth in line to inherit a dukedom, he decides to eliminate the other eight heirs standing in his way.

Winning the 2014 Tony for “Best Musical,” this darkly comedic musical has a little something for everyone — love, revenge and killer bees.

What makes this show a true challenge is that one actor plays all eight members of the D’Ysquith family. He must play everything from a traditional English dandy who loves to garden to a talentless actress in the final production of Hedda Gabler. Each character has his or her own way of speaking, moving and presence on stage. To move quickly from character to character is a great testament to the actor’s dedication and mastery of the craft.

With more than a dozen costume changes in the first act alone (one taking place in less than 20 seconds) this role is not only a challenge for the actor but also the costume shop and technical crew assisting backstage.

While the audience is enjoying the production on-stage, the crew is working swiftly backstage to ensure the D’Ysquith family doesn’t miss his entrance.

The technical wizardry in this production is not to be missed.

Music Director Steven Linville, a 2006 DePauw graduate, is no stranger to stage and was excited to take on this challenge.

“Having done a number of productions at DePauw and in other places, I can without a doubt say that this is one of the more challenging for the actors,” Linville said. “Not only are the characters very specific, but the music is also very demanding. We’ve all had a fantastic time exploring the jokes and taking a little dip into some British humor (or is that spelled humour!).”

Don’t miss DePauw Theatre’s production of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” premiering this week in Moore Theatre.

Productions run from Thursday, Sept. 26 to Saturday Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at depauw.edu/arts or at the Green Center Box Office on Monday-Friday from noon to 4 p.m. or 90 minutes before each production.