CENTERVILLE—What happens when a man of little means finds out he could be heir to a fortune but there are a few people in his way? Simple – kill them off. CenterPoint Theatre’s production of the Broadway hit, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” follows Monty Navarro as he comes up with ingenious ways to get rid of those relatives.

Set in the Edwardian era, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” is the title Monty gives to the memoir he is writing while sitting in jail. His reflections take him back to where it all began before he landed there.  

The story unfolds as Monty goes through his mother’s things after she dies. One of his mother’s friends, Miss Shingle stops by to give her condolences but shares a shocking secret. Monty is part of the wealthy D’Ysquith family who disowned his mother when she eloped with Monty’s father. Monty’s father died when he was young leaving he and his mother to barely scrape by so it’s not surprising that Monty is astounded by the news. 

Miss Sheets tells him the tale and shows him the birth certificate. She also explains that there are only eight relatives between him and his inheritance. The gears begin to turn in Monty’s head as he thinks of the possibilities and what is at stake. But first, he must worm his way into the family. What follows is a series of comedic events as he acts out his devious plan. 

A witty cast of characters has the audience laughing right up to the end. Danny Inkley (M/W/F) is especially good as D’Ysquith. Inkley plays all of the parts of the relatives Monty is trying to kill and he is over the top funny. Kristina Boler (M/W/F) is equally hilarious as the gossipy Miss Shingle who turns up everywhere sticking her nose into everybody’s business. 

Miss Shingle (Kristina Boler) with Monty (Christian Lackman). Photos by Micah Young

Christian Lackman (M/W/F) as Monty comes off as a gentleman that no one would suspect of murder but only concern for his new found family members as he hides his true intentions. Bre Welch as Sibella (M/W/F) and Sarah Jane Watts as Phoebe (M/W/F) are Monty’s two love interests who have their own devious agendas. A particular funny scene takes place in Monty’s apartment as he tries to keep the two women from finding each other in opposite rooms.

An equally hilarious scene has Henry (one of the relatives played by Inkley) and Monty in a bar singing “Better With A Man” as they drink their beers and toast each other.

The CenterPoint production was delightful as usual but a couple of technical issues were distracting as a microphone didn’t work and the projection mapping used to create background scenery gave out in the first couple of scenes. Efforts to correct the problem failed and the show and the actors pushed on in front of a black background. 

In spite of the hiccups, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” made for a fun musical mixed with a little intrigue.

The show runs through Feb. 17, Monday – Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with Saturday matinees at 3:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $21.50-$39.50 and are available online at CPTUtah.org or at the box office, 801-298-1302. The theater is located at 525 N. 400 West, Centerville.