The Tony-winning musical begins this weekend, the earliest opening date in the theater’s history
By Lee Juillerat for Ashland.news
Launching an early start to the Oregon Cabaret Theatre’s 2025 season will be the Tony-winning musical “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.”
Rick Robinson, the Cabaret’s managing director, said the opening on Friday, Jan. 24, will be the earliest in the theater’s 40-year history.
Knocking off the competition
The deets
‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ at Oregon Cabaret Theatre, 41 Hargadine St., Ashland. Dates: Jan. 24-March 30. 1 p.m. matinees: Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. 8 p.m. shows: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays and Wednesdays.
Tickets: $34 to $54. Call 541-488-2902 or go to oregoncabaret.com.
“Gentleman’s Guide” tells the story of Monty Navarro, who finds out that he’s eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D’Ysquith family. He figures his chances of outliving his predecessors are slight and sets off down a far more ghoulish path — he tries to both knock off his unsuspecting relatives and still win the heart of his lady love.
“This is one of those musicals that is just a wonderful fit for our stage, and we’ve really leaned into the theatricality of the piece in our design,” director Valerie Rachelle said. “Working on the show, it’s easy to see why this show won the Tony for best musical. The writing is sharp and witty, the music is gorgeous and there are just so many great comic set pieces.”
Several Cabaret veterans are in the cast, including Alysia Beltran, Rigo Jimenez, Dan Olson and Courtney Crawford, The show also features newcomers Cody Gerszewski, Scott Fuss, Katie Fay Francis, Juliana Wheeler and Marin Alexis.
Rachelle, who is the Cabaret’s artistic director, also choreographs the show. She recently directed are such hits as “White Christmas,” ”The Play That Goes Wrong” and “Once.”
Sarah Wussow is the music director for the show. Others on the production team are fight choreographer and intimacy coordinator Tony Carter, assistant director Connor Lomeli, track creator Karl Iverson and stage manager Amanda Johnson. The design team includes set designer Joe Klug and lighting designer Michael Stanfill. Others on the team are costume designer Virginia Kilkelly, sound designer CJ Whitaker, prop designer Kenny Murrell and wig designer Jerome Horng.
Robinson said that if it were a movie, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” would be rated PG-13. It features adult situations, discussion of murder and comic violence.
Evening and matinee performances
“Gentleman’s Guide” will run through March 30. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday matinees will start at 1 p.m. Evening performances at 8 p.m. will run on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday nights.
Reservations are required for preshow dinner or brunch. Appetizers, cocktails, beverages and desserts are available without reservations. Tickets range from $34 to $54. The Cabaret offers a 15% ticket discount for groups of 12 or more for select ticket types and performances. Student rush tickets are $15 and can be purchased 30 minutes before curtain with valid student ID, subject to availability.
For more information or to purchase tickets call the Oregon Cabaret Theatre box office at 541-488-2902 or visit oregoncabaret.com.
Email freelance writer Lee Juillerat at 337lee337@charter.net.
