Breckenridge Backstage Theatre Presents
A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER

Book & Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman
Music & Lyrics by Steven Lutva
Directed & Choreographed by Jamal Howard
Music Direction by Celia Villacres

BRECKENRIDGE (June 16, 2023) – Breckenridge Backstage Theatre is pleased to present the hilarious and witty play Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman, music & lyrics by Steven Lutva, and directed & choreographed by Jamal Howard. Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder will run June 28 – July 30, 2023, at Breckenridge Theater, 121 South Ridge St. in Breckenridge, CO. Tickets are currently available at www.backstagetheatre.org. The press opening is Friday, July 30 at 7:00pm.
A murderous romp filled with unforgettable music, non-stop laughs, and a scene-stealing role for one actor playing all eight of the doomed heirs who meet their ends in the most creative and side-splitting ways. This is a truly original and fresh musical comedy that will delight you and leave you begging for more!
This is a knock-’em-dead, uproarious hit and the most-nominated show of the 2014 season. With ten Tony nominations and four wins, including Best Musical, Book, Direction and Costumes, it also earned seven Drama Desk Awards (including Best Musical), four Outer Critics Circle Awards (including Best Musical) and one Drama League Award (Best Musical). Not to be missed!

Rated PG for adult situations. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

Featuring Drew Black, Brooke Curry, Matthew Combs, Ana Dragovich, James Fagan, Lloyd Harvey II, Monica Joyce Slabach, Caroline Turner, Samantha Toberman, and Keith Warren.

The production team includes Tenzing Ortega (scenic design), Jazmin Aurora Medina (costume design), Jeffrey Levin (sound designer), Keith Parham (lighting design), Kiana Holmes (Stage Manager), Myles Schortgen (Asst. Stage Manager), Jacqueline Stone (Producing Artistic Director) and Branden Smith (Creative Producer).

EVENT DETAILS:

Title: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Book & Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman
Music & Lyrics by Steven Lutva
Directed & Choreographed by Jamal Howard
Music Direction by Celia Villacres

Cast: (in alphabetical order): Drew Black (Ensemble), Brooke Curry (Ensemble), Matthew Combs (Montague Monty D’Ysquith Navarro), Ana Dragovich (Ensemble), James Fagan (Ensemble), Lloyd Harvey II (Ensemble), Mimi Mocatta (Female Swing), Monica Joyce Slabach (Phoebe D’Ysquth), Michael Sullivan (Male Swing), Caroline Turner (Sibella Hallward), Samantha Toberman (Marietta Shingle), and Keith Warren (The D’Ysquith Family).

Location: Breckenridge Theater, 121 South Ridge St., Breckenridge, CO
Dates: Previews Wednesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 29 at 7:00pm
Press opening Friday, June 30 at 7:00pm
Regular run: Friday, June 30 – Sunday, July 30, 2023 (no show on July 4)
Curtain times: Tuesdays – Sundays at 7:00pm
Tickets: $20 – $45. All reservations must be claimed no later than 15 minutes before a performance or they will be released. Tickets are currently available at www.backstagetheatre.org.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Jamal Howard (Director/Choreographer) is a Chicago-based theatre artist, director, and choreographer. He is the 2023 Goodman Theatre Michael Maggio Directing Fellow, Co-Artistic Director of New American Folk Theatre, and an Associate Company Member with TUTA Theatre. Select directing and choreography credits include Antonio’s Song: I Was Dreaming of a Son (Goodman Theatre); tick, tick… Boom! (Boho Theatre); The Apple Tree (Porchlight Music Theatre); 8-Track: The Sounds of the 70s, Songs for A New World (Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre); R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Right Angle Entertainment/National Tour); Think Fast, Jordan Chase (Filament Theatre), The Mole Hill Stories (Madison Children’s Theatre); Corduroy, The Wiz, Magic Tree House (Emerald City Theatre).

Celia Villacres (Music Director) is making her Breckenridge Backstage debut! A Chicago native, Celia has had the pleasure of working on a variety of shows at a number of theatres. Favorite credits include: Wicked (National Tour, Chicago stop), School of Rock, Into the Woods, Secret of My Success (Paramount Theatre), and The Little Mermaid (Music Theatre Works). Celia is a graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, IN.

Keith J. Warren (The D’Ysquith Family) is a native of Fort Worth, TX and is glad to return to BBT. Previous BBT credits: Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) and Black Stache (Peter and the Starcatcher). Keith has also performed with Casa Mañana, Lyric Stage of Dallas, Zach Scott Theatre, to name a few. Select credits: Billy Bigelow (Carousel), Jud Fry (Oklahoma!), Frank N’ Furter (The Rocky Horror Show), Nick Bottom (Something Rotten!), Robbie Hart (The Wedding Singer), Jekyll/Hyde (Jekyll & Hyde), and Gaston/Beast in numerous productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

ABOUT BRECKENRIDGE BACKSTAGE THEATRE
Breckenridge Backstage Theatre (BBT) is the oldest year-round theatre company on the western slope. In 1976, the theatre incorporated as Summit County’s first non-profit, with a desire to bring live performance to the community. The artistic vision has continued to evolve and over the years has been awarded with numerous Colorado Theatre Guild and True West Awards. In 2010, BBT received the prestigious Colorado Theatre Guild – Outstanding Regional Theatre Award. In 2012, the Breckenridge Town Council approved a $2.55 million renovation of the Breckenridge Theater. Construction on the building began in Spring 2015 and completed in June 2016. Today it serves as the company’s main performance space in addition to use of the 750 seat Riverwalk Theatre space as needed. In 2022, the company led a national search for new leadership and recently appointed Chicago veteran arts leader Jacqueline Stone as Producing Artistic Director, tasked with leading the next phase of organizational growth and strategy. Annually the theatre produces 5-6 main stage productions, one community production, one youth production, and a full set of classes and summer camps for ages 3 – 21.

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