Judy Blazer to join cast of A Gentleman's Guide

Producers of Steven Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman's Tony Award-winning musical comedy A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder at the Walter Kerr Theatre has announced that Judy Blazer will join the cast in the role of 'Miss Shingle' from 30 June 2015.

Carole Shelley, who currently plays the role, will play her final performance on Sunday 28 June 2015.

Judy Blazer has starred on Broadway in 'Me and My Girl' (Sally), 'A Change in the Heir' (Prince Conrad), 'Titanic' (Lady Caroline), and Neil Simon's '45 Seconds from Broadway' (Cindy), and played Brecht's mistress in 'LoveMusik' directed by Harold Prince. Her Off-Broadway credits include 'Sweeney Todd' with the New York City Opera, 'Hello Again' (Drama Desk nom.) and 'The House of Bernarda Alba' for the Lincoln Center Theater.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is currently playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where it officially opened on 17 November 2013, following previews from 22 October, and it is taking bookings through to 2 August 2015.

Synopsis: 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, based on Roy Horniman's 1907 novel "Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal," tells the story of Monty Navarro who has just received some really great news! He's a long-lost member of a noble family and could become the next Earl of Highhurst. There are only eight minor issues, namely the other relatives who precede him in line for the title. So Monty does what any ambitious, highborn gentleman would do: he sets out to eliminate them one by one, all while juggling his mistress (she is after more than just love), his fiancee (she's his cousin, but who's keeping track?), plus the constant threat of landing behind bars! But it will all be worth it if he can slay his way into Highhurst Castle... and be done in time for tea.'

The musical features a book by Robert L. Freedman, music by Steven Lutvak, and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak, and is directed by Darko Tresnjak and choreographed by Peggy Hickey, all of whom made their Broadway debut.

The current cast of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder includes Jeff Kready (Monty Navarro), Jefferson Mays (Performer), Lisa O'Hare (Sibella) and Catherine Walker (Phoebe D'Ysquith).

The creative team includes Alexander Dodge (Scenic Design), Linda Cho (Costume Design), Philip S. Rosenberg (Lighting Design), and Dan Moses Schreier (Sound Design).

The musical is being produced on Broadway by Joey Parnes and John Arthur Pinckard, in association with The Hartford Stage Company and Old Globe Theatre.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder arrived on Broadway following a critically acclaimed run at Hartford Stage and San Diego's Old Globe Theatre, which starred Jefferson Mays.

- by Dom O'Hanlon