Cast changes in A Gentleman's Guide tonight

Tony winner Carole Shelley and Catherine Walker take over the roles of Miss Shingle and Phoebe D'Ysquith, respectively, in the cast of Steven Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman's Tony Award-winning musical comedy A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder tonight.

Carole Shelley won the Tony Award in 1979 for Best Actress in a Play for her performance as Mrs Kendal in 'The Elephant Man' - a role which Patricia Clarkson will revive in the play's upcoming revival. She was last seen on Broadway as Grandma in 'Billy Elliot' from 2008 to 2011, for which she earned a Tony nomination. Other Broadway credits include her Tony nominated performances in 'Stepping Out' and 'Absurd Person Singular', as well as 'Wicked', 'Cabaret', 'Show Boat', 'The Odd Couple', 'The Miser', 'Noises Off', 'Hay Fever', 'The Norman Conquests' and 'Loot'. She is also well-known for her voice-work, particularly in the realm of Disney animation, voicing several roles including Amelia Gabble (the Goose) in 'The Aristocats' (1970), Lady Kluck in 'Robin Hood' (1973), and Lachesis the Fate in 'Hercules' (1997).

She takes over the role of Miss Shingle from original cast member Jane Carr, who played her last performance on 26 October.

Original cast member Catherine Walker switches from the role of Miss Barley to Phoebe D'Ysquith, which she had been understudying. Lauren Worsham played her last performance in that role on 26 October. Newcomer Sandra DeNise joins the cast today as Miss Barley.

Catherine Walker made her Broadway debut in Disney Theatrical and Cameron Mackintosh's production of 'Mary Poppins' and also appeared in the 2009 revival of 'Ragtime', whilst Sandra DeNise made her Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical 'Kinky Boots'.

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 5 April 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 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 Tom Millward