GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER Welcomes Original Broadway Stars on Tour Tonight

Three members from the original Broadway Production of A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder - Kristen Hahn, Jennifer Smith, and Catherine Walker - join the cast of the First National Tour during its St. Louis engagement at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, tonight, September 13, through September 25, 2016. The tour now features four cast members from the Broadway Company, including Kevin Massey.

Kristen Hahn will play the role of Phoebe D'Ysquith, and Jennifer Smith and Catherine Walker will join the ensemble. John Rapson (D'Ysquith family), Kevin Massey (Monty Navarro), Kristen Beth Williams (Sibella Hallward), and Mary VanArsdel (Miss Shingle) continue with the tour. The national tour also features Christopher Behmke, Sarah Ellis, Matt Leisy, Dani Marcus, Kristen Mengelkoch, David Scott Purdy, Chuck Ragsdale, and Ben Roseberry.

The First National Tour will also celebrate its one year anniversary in St. Louis. Following the St. Louis engagement, Gentleman's Guide will play Greenville, SC; Detroit, MI; Boston, MA; Hartford, CT; Hershey, PA; Wilmington, DE; Charlotte, NC; Providence, RI; East Lansing, MI; Baltimore, MD; Cincinnati, OH; Fayetteville, AR; Naples, FL; Nashville, TN; Orlando, FL; Buffalo, NY; Costa Mesa, CA; and Sacramento, CA.

Gentleman's Guide tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession, by any means necessary. All the while, he's got to juggle his mistress (she's after more than just love), his fiancée (she's his cousin but who's keeping track?), and the constant threat of landing behind bars! Of course, it will all be worth it if he can slay his way to his inheritance... and be done in time for tea.

The most celebrated musical of the 2013-14 Broadway season, Gentleman's Guide received ten Tony Award nominations, eventually winning four awards: Best Musical, Direction of a Musical, Book of a Musical, and Best Costume Design. In addition, it won the Best Musical prizes from the Drama League, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle, and received a 2015 Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Show Album.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder features a book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak. Direction is by Darko Tresnjak, with choreography by Peggy Hickey. The design team includes Alexander Dodge (Scenic Design), Linda Cho (Costume Design), Philip S. Rosenberg (Lighting Design), Dan Moses Schreier (Sound Design), Aaron Rhyne (Projections Design), Brian Strumwasser (Make-Up Design), and Charles LaPointe (Wig Design). Orchestrations are by Jonathan Tunick and Vocal Arrangements are by DiAnne Adams McDowell and Steven Lutvak. Paul Staroba serves as Music Supervisor.

For additional information on Gentleman's Guide, visit www.AGentlemansGuideBroadway.com.

ABOUT THE CAST

John Rapson (The D'Ysquith Family). Broadway: LES MISERABLES (Grantaire/Bamatabois, u/s Javert, u/s Thénardier). Tour and Regional: LES MISERABLES, Disney On Classic (with the Tokyo Philharmonic), Sweeney Todd, Brigadoon. BFA, University of Michigan. Infinite love and thanks to Mom, Dad, Alex, Stella, Chris and the gents of CGF, the family dinner crew, and the utterly extraordinary Gent's Guide team. Humbled and honored to be part of this bril­liant piece. Now and then pigs CAN fly. This one's for Pat.

Kevin Massey (Monty Navarro). Broadway: Gentleman's Guide, Memphis (u/s Huey), Tarzan (u/s Tarzan), Deaf West's Big River, NYCO's Antony & Cleopatra (Eros), originated Almanzo in Little House on the Prairie (1st Nat., Paper Mill, Guthrie), and D'Artagnan in Three Musketeers (Chicago Shakespeare). Europe: Tarzan (Tarzan), Grease! (Doody). Regional: Asolo Rep's Bonnie & Clyde (Ted), Utah Shakes' & Kansas City Rep's Pippin (Pippin), Skylight Music Theater's Les Miz (Marius), MUNY's Footloose (Willard). UNC, Morehead-Cain Scholar. Proud husband of Kara Lindsay. Love to my family. kevinmassey.com @kcmassey1

Kristen Beth Williams (Sibella Hallward) is delighted to join this deliciously devilish company! West End: Top Hat (Dale Tremont). Broadway: Pippin; Nice Work...; Anything Goes; Promises, Promises. Other NYC: The Marvelous Wonderettes (Off-Bway), Encores!, appearances at Town Hall and Carnegie Hall. Regional: Big Fish (Sandra, Alpine Theatre Project), White Christmas (Betty Haynes, Ordway), Music Theatre of Wichita, Ogunquit, Paper Mill, to name a few. Love & thanks to Dustin, Jason, Jay, and Darko; to "The Fam" always; and to Jimmy-my home. Proud AEA member. BFA Univ. of OK. @KBDubsNYC

Kristen Hahn (Phoebe D'Ysquith).Broadway: A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder (Miss Barley); Our Town starring Paul Newman (also at the Westport Country Playhouse). Regional: Grazia in Death Takes a Holiday at the Arvada Center. Film: "5 Flights Up;" "Our Town" (PBS/Showtime). BFA in Vocal Performance from Carnegie Mellon. Love and thanks to the entire GGLAM family, DGRW, and to my family, friends, and teachers! kristenhahn.com

Mary VanArsdel (Miss Shingle). National Tour: Mary Poppins (original Bird Woman). Off-Broadway: Rebecca (54 Below), Cole Porter's Paris. Regional: Mrs. Brill (Mary Poppins), Mama Rose (Gypsy), Carlotta (Yeston/Kopit's Phantom), Lily Byrne (A Man of No Importance), and dozens more. Film/TV: "In the Line of Fire," "LA Law," "Boardwalk Empire," "Gilmore Girls," "Miracles," and many more. Recording: "When at Night I Go to Sleep." Proud member of Actors' Equity. maryvanarsdel.com @mvsings

Christopher Behmke (Magistrate). Int'l Tours: West Side Story. Off-Broadway: Mama and Her Boys. Regional: Cabaret, Les Miz, Miss Saigon, Hound of the Baskervilles. Chris also works with Project Creo, a nonprofit that uses creativity and love to empower children.

Sarah Ellis (Swing/Dance Captain). Regional: Ogunquit, Pittsburgh CLO, Northshore, KC Starlight, Westchester Bway, WV Public. NYC: Stardust Road: The Hoagy Carmichael Musical, Musicals Tonight! BFA Penn State (WE ARE!). Endless gratitude to teachers, fam & friends-love to DR. @sell_is

Matt Leisy (Tom Copley). Off-Broadway: The Fantasticks, Carousel (PBS). Regional: Cincinnati Playhouse, St. Louis Rep, Arizona Theatre Co., Arden Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Favorites: 39 Steps, Ragtime, Red, Importance of Being Earnest, The History Boys. Graduate: Northwestern University. mattleisy.com

Dani Marcus (Swing). Off-Broadway: The Pirates of Penzance. Regional: Created the role of Harriet in Jane Austen's Emma (The Old Globe, TheatreWorks), Beach Blanket Babylon, Spelling Bee (SJ Rep). Love and gratitude to Timothy, Tijuana, and Jon Call.

Kristen Mengelkoch (Lady Eugenia). Off-Broadway: NEWSical the Musical and Forbidden Broadway. Regional: Geva Theatre, Cape Playhouse, PlayMakers Rep, Gateway, Moonlight, North Coast Rep, SCRT, among others. Television: "Veronica Mars." Education: MFA, San Diego State University; BFA, Emporia State University. kristenmengelkoch.com

David Scott Purdy (Swing and Fight Captain). NYC: A Christmas Story (Madison Square Garden); Lady, Be Good (Encores!); Zorba (Encores!). National Tour: The Producers. Regional: Anything Goes (North Shore Music Theatre). Love to Kate, Brothers, Mom, and Cleo. davidscottpurdy.com

Chuck Ragsdale (Swing) has toured the U.S. with multiple black and white canines, frolicked with a singing cannibal Off-Broadway, and played girly princes, sui­cidal factory workers, and dudes with accents regionally. For my best and favorite PAL.

Ben Roseberry (Chief Inspector Pinckney). Broadway/National Tour: The Lion King, Rent. Off-Broadway: Fugitive Songs, Emma. Countless regional, workshops and readings. Front man for The Fractured Years. Thanks to Sarah, the family, Darko, Binder, and Professional Artists! @Ben_Roseberry

Jennifer Smith (Tour Guide). 14 Broadway shows including original companies of Gentleman's Guide, Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers and La Cage Aux Folles. Recent film and TV: "The Skeleton Twins," "Deadbeat," and "High Maintenance." Lubbock, Texas native.

Catherine Walker (Miss Barley) is thrilled to join the tour after playing the role of Phoebe and originating the role of Miss Barley on Broadway! Broadway: Gentleman's Guide, Mary Poppins, Ragtime. Carnegie Mellon University Graduate. Thanks to Him, Jacques, and family! catherinewalker.biz.