Jeff Kready Joins A Gentleman's Guide as Monty
It has been announced that Jeff Kready will take over the lead role of 'Monty Navarro' in Steven Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman's Tony Award-winning musical comedy A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder from 20 January 2015, replacing Bryce Pinkham who takes a hiatus to star in The Heidi Chronicles.
Jeff Kready was part of the original ensemble of the musical which recently became the highest grossing production in the history of the Walter Kerr Theatre, and covered the role of 'Monty' as an understudy. His previous Broadway credits include 'Billy Elliot: The Musical' as well as the revivals of 'Sunday in the Park with George' and 'Les Miserables'.
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.
Based on Roy Horniman's 1907 novel 'Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal,' the musical tells the story of Monty Navarro who has just found out that 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 won four 2014 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Direction of a Musical (Darko Tresnjak), Book of a Musical (Robert L. Freedman), and Costume Design of a Musical (Linda Cho). It was also the 2013-14 season's most nominated production with 10 Tony Award nominations overall, including dual Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Jefferson Mays and Bryce Pinkham.
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