The lure of becoming a titled aristocrat is oh, so enticing, at least to working-class Montague Navarro in the London of 1907.  But is it worth murdering eight previously unknown relatives who stand in line before him to become the Ninth Earl of Highhurst?

Upon his mother’s death, Monty learns of his true lineage, a D’Ysquith of noble heritage, hidden as his mother had been shunned by the family because of her marrying for love.  When he meets with the first such potential heir to the Highhurst earldom, a bumbling vicar who without Monty’s intervention will fall to his death, he realizes the course of action needed.  Perhaps I should mention here that this is, er, a comedy, and also a musical – in fact one that had a two-year Broadway run and won several Tonys and other awards.

The central character and constant throughout is Montague, portrayed by Andrew Cope who possesses not only matinee-idol looks but a booming baritone voice with considerable range.  And despite engendering bloodshed, betrayal, and adultery, his likeable qualities make him a sympathetic character through it all.

A remarkable conceit of this play is that all eight victims are performed by one actor.  In this laugh fest Palo Alto Players production, the formidable Brandon Savage excels at the distinctive comic characterizations, even women, with rapid changes of costume, wig, occasional prosthetic (e.g., protruding buck teeth) and affect…..

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A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder with book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman, music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak, and based on the novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal by Roy Horniman is produced by Palo Alto Players and performed at Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA through September 27, 2026.