Jeff Kready to Assume Role of 'Monty Navarro' in Broadway's 'GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE'; Bryce Pinkham to Return

The reigning Tony Award-winning Best Musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, will welcome a new Monty Navarro when Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham takes a temporary leave of absence to co-star in the limited Broadway enagement of The Heidi Chronicles. Assuming the role of Monty beginning on Tuesday, January 20 will be original ensemble member and Monty understudy Jeff Kready, whose other Broadway credits include Billy Elliot: The Musical and the revivals of Sunday in the Park with George and Les Miserables.

Mr. Pinkham said, "This show and this part have been life-changing for me, but it's time to pass the keys to Highhurst on to someone else for a while. I can think of no worthier gentleman to assume the role of the murderously ambitious heir than Jeff. I am thrilled he will be the one looking after the Castle, and I'm particularly glad I didn't have to die for it to happen."

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder recently became the highest grossing production in the storied history of the Walter Kerr Theatre, just weeks after celebrating its first anniversary in November 2014. Additionally, its Original Broadway Cast Recording was just nominated for the 2015 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is the winner of the four 2014 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Direction of a Musical (Darko Tresnjak), Book of a Musical (Robert L. Freedman), and Costume Design of a Musical (Linda Cho). It was the 2013-14 season's most nominated production with 10 Tony Award nominations overall, including dual Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical nominations (Jefferson Mays and Bryce Pinkham), Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Lauren Worsham), Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (music: Steven Lutvak; lyrics: Robert L. Freedman, Steven Lutvak), Orchestrations (Jonathan Tunick), and Scenic Design of a Musical (Alexander Dodge).

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder officially opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre (219 W. 48th Street) to overwhelmingly rapturous reviews on Sunday, November 17, following critically acclaimed, smash-hit runs at The Hartford Stage and San Diego's Old Globe Theatre. It has gone on to become the most nominated and honored production of the 2013-14 Broadway season, winning the Tony, the Drama Desk, the Drama League, and the Outer Critics Circle awards for Best Musical.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder stars Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays and Bryce Pinkham, Lisa O'Hare, Catherine Walker and Carole Shelley, with Pamela Bob, Sandra DeNise, Joanna Glushak, Greg Jackson, Eddie Korbich, Jeff Kready, Mark Ledbetter, Jennifer Smith, Kathy Voytko, and Price Waldman.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder features a book by Robert L. Freedman, music by Steven Lutvak, and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and Steven Lutvak. Darko Tresnjak directs and Peggy Hickey choreographs.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder tells the uproarious story of Monty Navarro (Pinkham), an heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by-you guessed it-eliminating the eight pesky relatives who stand in his way (each played by Tony winner Jefferson Mays in a hilariously head-spinning performance). All the while, Monty has 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 Hollywood Reporter raves, "Gentleman's Guide restores our faith in musical comedy" and The New York Times cheers, "it will lift the hearts of all those who've been pining for what sometimes seems a lost art form."

The design team for A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder includes Alexander Dodge (Scenic Design), Linda Cho (Costume Design), Philip S. Rosenberg (Lighting Design), Dan Moses Schreier (Sound Design), Aaron Rhyne (Projections 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 Director.