By Michael Buzzelli
Why are all the D’Ysquiths dying?
Monty D’Ysquith Navarro (Noah Koons), eighth in line for the title of Earl of Highhurst, wants to tell you why the D’Ysquith’s are dying. He’s been murdering them to gain the lordship in “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” emphasis on the murder.
When Miss Shingle (Joyce Miller) tells Monty about his lineage, the near destitute young man decides to work his way up to a higher station by knocking off his royal relatives to capture the castle. To fuel the flames of his murderous mind, his girlfriend, Sibella (Delaney Molnar), a pretty in pink narcissist, rejects him because of the size of his wallet.
Monty meets one D’Ysquith after another (almost all of them played by John Herrmann), and each member meets their end, except for Phoebe (Hannah Garry, one of the few D’Ysquiths NOT played by John Herrmann). Phoebe, who is not in line for the title, agrees to marry Monty.
He goes about kissing and killing cousins. Meanwhile, Sibella, now unsatisfied with her dull husband, begins an affair with Monty.
Koons, a newcomer to the OSP (Old Schoolhouse Players), does a fantastic job as the plotting protagonist. With the sheer force of his charm, he keeps the murdering Monty sympathetic. The audience roots for him as he offs his rich relations.
Garry hits some high notes as Phoebe. She can belt with the best of them.
Molnar gets a few solo songs, which she handles with aplomb.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” is a showcase for Herrmann, who plays a wide range of crazy characters, the D’Ysquiths, including Reverend Lord Ezekial, Asquith Jr., Henry, Lady Hyacinth, Major Lord Bartholomew, Lady Salome, Earl Lord Adalbert, Lord Asquith Sr., and Chauncey.
Herrmann’s Lady Hyacinth is part Harvey Korman’s Mother Marcus (in the Carol Burnett sketch, “As the Stomach Turns), and part Dame Edna.
The orchestra, conducted by Music Director Ruth Ann Fox, does an amazing job with the melodies, synching marvelously with the singers. Shout out to Scot Harvey on drums, who also provided a drum roll during the 50/50 raffle at intermission (the raffles are an added incentive to drive out to Hickory, PA).
Choreographer Chelsea Contino Eicher creates some fun movements for the cast. During the dance scenes, keep your eye on Jeffrey LaPorte, his small gestures are precise, and he mines each movement for comedy. He embraces all of the wackiness of the show with verve.
There is a plethora of costume changes in “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” especially for Herrmann. Cindy Berg and Briana Gamret Ryan decorate the cast with an amazing array of costumes. Berg pulled double duty as costume and set designer, creating castles with cardboard and plywood. It’s an impressive feat.
Director Michael Van Newkirk manages to garner some great performances out of his cast. OSP is becoming a proving ground for community theater, a great place to get a start on local stages.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” is a fun distraction from the woes of the world. It has a pretty happy ending, unless you’re a D’Ysquith.
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“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” runs to May 3 at the Bud Allison Memorial Auditorium at Mount Pleasant Community Center, 20 Wabash Ave, Hickory, PA 15340. For tickets or additional information, click here.
