Reviewed by Ava Cook, Vero Vine
Riverside Theatre, Vero Beach, Florida
Opening Night: January 13, 2026, 7:30 PM
Runs: January 9 - February 1
Riverside Theatre's production of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is an absolute triumph, a wickedly clever, uproariously funny musical that had opening night's audience roaring with laughter from start to finish.
The musical follows Monty Navarro, a British commoner who, following his mother's death and left with nothing, discovers he's ninth in line to inherit the Earldom of Highhurst. His solution? Murder the eight odious members of the D'Ysquith family standing between him and the title. What follows is a deliciously dark comedy filled with crazy twists and hugely comical moments, all executed with remarkable precision under the direction of Hunter Foster and Associate Director Rachel Sabo-Hedges.
A Visual Masterpiece
Before a single note is sung, the production captivates. Portraits of the D'Ysquith family hang across the stage exterior, illuminated in warm tones with gold lining and royal red colors that immediately transport audiences to early 1900s London. Scenic Designer Nate Bertone and Assistant Scenic Designer Joshua Warner have created a world that seamlessly transforms from beautiful floral gardens to elegant royal dining rooms, each transition flowing effortlessly into the next.
The opening number sets the tone perfectly: the ensemble appears dressed entirely in black, as though attending a funeral, a brilliant touch of foreshadowing that demonstrates the production's careful attention to detail.
Stellar Performances
The cast, though small, is extraordinarily powerful in both vocals and acting. Jake Levy commands the stage as Montague "Monty" Navarro, delivering impeccable comedic timing that consistently brought the house down. His performance strikes the perfect balance between charming and delightfully sinister.
The true tour de force, however, belongs to Dan De Luca, who plays the entire D'Ysquith family. De Luca executes lightning-fast costume changes, some taking less than 30 seconds, with the help of a dedicated team of four dressers working around him at all times. Despite the high-pressure nature of these quick changes, De Luca never faltered, creating distinct, memorable characters for each family member. In a post-show interview, he cited the death scene of Reverend Lord Ezekiel D'Ysquith as one of his favorite comedic moments.
Mary Kate Moore shines as Sibella Hallward, portraying Monty's first love interest with a unique, one-of-kind comedic flair. Lauren Maria Medina brings a quirky, endearing energy to Phoebe D'Ysquith, Monty's other romantic entanglement. The contrast between these two women extends beyond characterization to their wardrobes: Costume and Wig Designer Kurt Alger thoughtfully dressed Sibella in pinks and reds while Phoebe appears in blues, visually representing their opposing natures.
Technical Excellence
Every technical element of this production deserves praise. Christina Watanabe's lighting design beautifully enhances each scene's mood, while Craig Beyrooti's sound design ensures that every word, delivered in challenging English dialect by the entire cast, is crystal clear. The diction and projection never faltered, a testament to both the performers' skill and the technical support.
Music Director Jeffery Campos leads an orchestra that plays throughout the entire musical with perfectly timed pauses and surprising flourishes that enhance the comedy. Alison Solomon's choreography adds visual interest and wit to every number, including a particularly memorable staircase bit between Levy and De Luca that Jake cited as one of his favorite moments.
The Wojcik Casting Team assembled a group of performers who each bring something unique and exciting to the stage, ensuring that no moment lacks energy or interest.
Behind the scenes, Production Stage Manager Jackie Mariani and Assistant Stage Managers Lydia Runge and Katie Wilhelm ensured the complex production ran smoothly from start to finish.
The Verdict
While A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder centers on death and murder, it never lacks comedic appeal. This is dark comedy at its finest, sophisticated, clever, and executed with remarkable skill. Director Hunter Foster has crafted a production where even a potentially confusing storyline becomes perfectly clear through smart staging and strong performances.
Every member of this production, from the performers to the extensive creative team, has contributed to something truly special. This is a must-see show that showcases exactly why Riverside Theatre continues to be a gem of Florida's cultural landscape.
Don't miss your chance to witness this delightfully deadly masterpiece. A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder runs through February 1st at Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach.
For tickets and showtimes, visit Riverside Theatre's box office or website.
My name is Ava Cook and I am a Freshman at Florida Southern College in Lakeland FL. I am currently a B.F.A musical theatre major with a minor in Business Administration. I love reading, singing, acting, dancing, and writing. My favorite part about Vero Beach and Indian River County as a whole is how close the community is. Vero Vine is important to me as it allows me to do my part it bringing the community together also, sharing events, small businesses, and other local happenings. If you have any questions or any recommendations for me, my email is always open [email protected].
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