How To Get Away With "Love & Murder"

Every once in a while, a rare musical comes along that offers the perfect blend of theatrical sensibilities. "A Gentleman's Guide To Love & Murder" is the best of both worlds: a rollicking, old-fashioned spectacle full of great singing and period costumes as well as a subversive commentary on upward mobility full of macabre humor and scenic sleight of hand. While homages to other Victorian-esque works are plentiful and the wordplay is inspired, a few of the establishing numbers do err on the side of being too sing-songy.

By the time the aspiring, disavowed Monty sets his plan into motion to acquire his rightful inheritance and social status, the score becomes more rich and dynamic -- almost a reflection of his fractured, spiraling sense of duty versus morality. The real standout, though, is actor John Rapson, who plays every member of the wealthy and targeted D'Ysquith family through a series of quick-changes. His deft characterizations clearly delineate each person's voice and mannerisms, stealing an already memorable show right out from under its other capable leads. Ultimately, it would be impolite to call the show perfect, so let's settle for A Well-Crafted Guide To Fun & Farce.