We have a Gentleman’s Guide cast!

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, South Bay Musical Theatre’s first show of the 2019-2020 season, promises to be one that is unique and memorable. Casting was conducted over the past two weekends and the level of talent that turned out to audition was “off the charts.”

SBMT audiences will recognize many favorites from past shows, including David Mister, who played the role of Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame last spring, and Michael Hirsch, who played the role of The Duke in Big River this past January. They may also recognize RuthE Stein from her character role in The Bridges of Madison County.

RuthE Stein

Michael Hirsch

David Mister

What is the show about?

On the night of his mother’s funeral, middle-class Englishman Monty Navarro (David Mister) learns an incredible secret: he is the “son of the daughter of the grandson of nephew of the second Earl of Highhurst.” In other words, Monty Navarro is an aristocrat — if he can only find a way to prevent the eight earls preceding him from inheriting the earldom first. Buoyed along by love for two different women, the stunning and self-centered Sibella Hallward (Jillian Bader) and the pious and witty Phoebe (Kate Matheson), Monty takes on his mission. As for the D’Ysquith family? One actor—Michael Hirsch—plays each ill-fated member, from the flamboyant country squire to the terrible actress to the aging war hero. The audience is treated to Edwardian style, classic farce, and stunning operatic singing. The show combines the best of the past with a contemporary sensibility and humor that earned it the 2014 Tony Award for Best Musical.

Who else is in it?

With a cast this small and a story this big, all of our players will be getting an opportunity to demonstrate their creative prowess, as will the costume designers who have to build over 100 costumes for the cast of 15 who play a variety of roles.

Other cast members not mentioned above include the following:

Jillian Bader

Brett Carlson

Andrew Cope

Michael Cuddy

Brennah Kemmerly

Kate Matheson

Jennifer Medeiros

Dana Cordelia Morgan

Alea Selburn

Michael Stahl

Brianna Stutzman

Braden Taylor

This 2014 Tony-award winning show hasn’t been seen much in the Bay Area, so our staff is already hard at work assembling it virtually from scratch. The talented folks behind the scenes include:

Tickets for the show are currently on sale as part of our three-show season subscription plan. Single tickets go on sale starting July 1. For more information, click here.