A 'Gentleman's' romp in Alexandria

Chuck Dluhy is THE gentleman who steals the show in Little Theatre of Alexandria's A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder/Photo by Matt Liptak

Attention, Theatregoers:  This is one of the season's best!

You like Sex? Murder? Whimsy? Action? Comedy? Scenes galore? A fantastic script? Glorious costumes?


Come to Little Theatre of Alexandria's production of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder  and you shall find them. (But only on Jan. 31, Feb. 5 and Feb. 6 when seats are available. )

In the desirable setting in post-Victorian England (1909), this "gentleman"  soars, leaps, and celebrates a good time of hysterics, music, and fun.

Chuck Dluhy is the star attraction who "only" has nine roles as D'Ysquith family members, on his way up the family ladder, as it were.  While his "relatives" temporarily thwart his ascent, he devises means to uproot their positions in the inheritance line so he can slide into Position Number One.

Director Frank D. Shutts II does an excellent job molding Mr. Dluhy into the different characters which Mr. Dluhy handles with ease and hilarious heroics.  Backstage handlers are to be commended for stitching and switching him up quickly between scenes.  (Is this the same person?  Yes, it is!) 

Jean Schlicting and Kit Sibley's handsomely designed costumes and styling whet fancies and contribute to the show's success, made all the more enjoyable by the 12-member orchestra led by Christopher A. Tomasino, assisted by pianist Steven J. McBride Jr. 


Matt Liptak's backdrop for many and varied scenes is a rich and red floor-to-ceiling curtain which the staff easily transitions. Kirsten Apker's props are minimalist and perfectly adequate.

That I saw this Gentleman only last October in Reston and still revel in its charm and fantastic entertainment is testimony to its achievement.  After all, in 2014 it won four Tonys (including Best Musical) and was nominated for six more.


The play (by Robert L. Freeman based on the 1907 novel by Roy Horniman) is not entirely fictitious since H. H. Asquith (1852-1928) was the first Earl of Oxford and Asquith, and he was also UK prime minister from 1908-1916. Wikipedia notes, "it was a matter of family pride" for Lord Asquith that his family had an ancestor who served jail time for participating in a movement to reject the monarchy (1663). 

Other cast members, most with multiple roles, are

Katie Weig, Margie Remmers, Audrey Baker, Alexandra

Chace, Devin Dietrich, Drew Going, Kristen Jepperson, 

Derek Marsh, Allison Meyer, and Jordan Peyer.

The creative team also includes Steven Lutvak, music and
lyrics; Mary Beth Smith-Toomey, producer; Stefan Sittig, choreographer; Rob Cork and Nick Friedlander, stage
managers; Ken and Patti Crowley, lighting design; David Correia, sound; Susan Boyd, hair and makeup; and Cheryl Sinsabaugh, dialogue coach.


What: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder
 
When: Now through February 8, 2020. All shows sold out except for Jan. 31, Feb. 5 and Feb. 6.

Where: Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Tickets: Start at $29

Language rating: G

Duration: About two hours and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission

Public transportation: Check the Metro website.

Parking: On the streets and in many garages nearby with free theatre parking at the Capital One Bank at Wilkes and Washington streets (when the bank is closed).

For more information: Box Office: 703-683-0496
Business Office: 703-683-5778; Fax: 703-683-1378
asklta@thelittletheatre.com
 

patricialesli@gmail.com

A 'gentleman's' rampage in Reston

The Reston Community Players' ensemble in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder now onstage at the Reston Community Center/Jennifer Hefner Photography

The Reston Community Players  have done it again: Produced another great musical comedy, sure to draw full houses once word reaches the street.

That A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder  was presented only six years ago on Broadway (where it won four Tonys, including Best Musical) and counters the sensation that it has been around a while longer. It exhibits all the traits of classical theatre.

This "gentleman" ain't especially the nice kind. How could he be a nice guy and be the subject of a play? What's a play (life?) with a bunch of nice guys? A boring play.

"Monty" (Aaron Paige) slays the dragons who clutter the highway on his climb to the summit of his success, namely, to become the Earl of Highhurst. His methods consume the story which is hilarious from beginning to end, boosted by elegant apparel of the Edwardian age, post-Victorian, 1909 London. (Costuming by Lori Crockett surely will gain her a WATCH nomination.)
 
Director Richard Farella guides the best from the star, Patrick Graham (another likely WATCH nominee) in his knockout roles as eight (or nine?) members of the D'Ysquith family in uncanny fashion with individualized antics, pauses, bends, voices, inflections, what have you, easily a class in theatre itself. 

Rapid costume changes for Mr. Graham are necessary, but who's counting? Certainly, no one in the audience.

The Reston Community Players' ensemble has a lovely dinner in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder now onstage at the Reston Community Center/Jennifer Hefner Photography

Two ladies (both with splendid personalities and voices to match: AnnaBelle Lowe who is Sibella, Monty's first love, and Holly Kelly is Phoebe) vie for Monty's attention.
 
In a memorable scene, the lover boy sails from one closed hallway door to another where his lady friends await behind opposite doors as he tries to keep the presence of each unknown to the other. (We've seen it once; we've seen it before, yet slamming doors never get old when they produce the desired effect. The precise door choreography is cause for applause.)
  
It doesn't take much to see portraits come alive! Talk about talking heads!

The actors' voices all seem strong enough to carry throughout the auditorium, making microphones unnecessary which cause too much amplification at times.

Simple but effective sets by Dan Remmers with Cathy Rieder,  scenic designer, and Sandy Dotson, set decorator, are changed by slides with nominal interruption.

Mary Jo Ford supplies basic props which are perfectly adequate in number and style for their short presence on stage. 

Kudos to the excellently executed ensemble dancing, choreographed by Paige Wakefield, who is also the assistant director.

Marvelous musical accompaniment mingles throughout the performance from the 14-member orchestra in the pit, led by Blakeman Brophy who singles as a romantic pianist in an interlude for Monty and a lady.  (Emily "EJ" Jonas is the "intimacy coach," a title increasingly found in theatre credits. I wonder what the training is. )

The play (by Robert L. Freeman based on the 1907 novel by Roy Horniman) is not entirely fictitious since H. H. Asquith (1852-1928) was the first Earl of Oxford and Asquith and UK prime minister from 1908-1916. Wikipedia notes, "it was a matter of family pride" for Lord Asquith that his family had an ancestor who served jail time for participation in a movement to reject a return to the monarchy (1663).

Gentleman's Guide opens with Monty writing his memoirs from a prison cell.

Attention, Audience:  You are about to witness murder in the ninth degree which is nine removed from Earldom.  Perfect timing for Halloween!

Other cast members are the naughty Sara C. Watson as Miss Shingle, Jolene Vettese, Julia A. Braxton, Joey Olson, Maura Lacy (also dance captain), Jake Lefler, Brandon Steele, and James P. Maxted. 

Creative team members include Steven Lutvak, music and lyrics; Robert L. Freedman, book and lyrics; Janet Bordeaux, producer; Colleen Stock, production stage manager; Mitch Macdonald, stage manager; Ryan Desmond, lighting designer; Phil Natalini, sound; Sheila Hyman, hair and makeup; and Alden Michels, dialect coach.


Language: G (no "bad words"!)
 
Ages: Appropriate for all who may not be able to follow every moment of the story, but quick costume and scene changes and dialogue combine to keep everyone happily engaged.

Who: Reston Community Players

What: A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

When: Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m. through Nov. 9 with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m., Nov. 3, 2019.

Where: Reston Community Center, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston, VA 20191

Tickets: Buy online, at the box office at the Community Center, or call 703-476-4500 and press 3 for 24-hour service. $28, adults; $24, students and seniors.


The Reston Community Center’s CenterStage box office is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4 - 9 p.m.; Saturday from 1 - 5  p.m.; and 2 hours before any ticketed performance. 


patricialesli@gmail.com