Theatre UAB will present the 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” with five performances from Nov. 12-16 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  

Theatre UAB is the performance company of the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Theatre.

Based on the novel “Israel Rank” by Roy Horniman, and set in London in 1907, “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” explores the lengths someone may go to when treated with disrespect by those with power, wealth and influence. A distant heir to a family fortune sets out to speed up the line of succession by using a great deal of charm ... and a dash of murder.

The story centers on Monty Navarro, a penniless clerk who learns he is in line to become the Earl of Highhurst. The audience follows along as Monty murders his way up the line of succession in Edwardian England, with one outrageous “accident” after another, all while juggling romance and avoiding suspicion. This comic romp is filled with unforgettable music, non-stop laughs and a scene-stealing role for one actor, who plays all eight members of the D’Ysquith family who stand in Monty’s way. 

Each member of the family dies in an unexpected way, from bee stings, falling through ice and misadventure while weightlifting, says director Valerie Accetta. Senior musical theater major Sammy Sledd plays all eight D’Ysquiths and has truly embraced the physical and vocal challenges of playing characters as varied as Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith, an elderly banker, and Lady Salome, a pompous benefactress, she says.

“Our team has cleverly designed sets that move the audience quickly from place to place, thanks to Alan Schwanke, our scenic designer, and costumes that can be changed in a matter of seconds, thanks to Cade McCall and Kimberly Schnormeier, our co-costume designers,” Accetta said. “UAB Theatre’s incredible artists have collaborated to create a show that is raucously funny, and truly beautiful to see and hear.”

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12-15 and 2 p.m. Nov. 16, in UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, 1200 10th Ave. South. Tickets are $25, $20; $15 for UAB employees and senior citizens; and $10 for UAB students. Buy tickets at AlysStephens.org or call 205-975-2787.

Music, lyrics and book for “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” are from Steven Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman.

The cast is Darion Lee Dewhirst of New Orleans, Louisiana, as Monty; Sammy Sledd of Huntsville, Alabama, as the D’Ysquith family; Norah Trench of Birmingham, Alabama, as Sibella; Elena Santini of Atlanta, Georgia, as Eugenia; Ava Chen of Parkland, Florida, as Miss Shingle; and Cara Parisi of Kansas City, Missouri, as Phoebe.

The ensemble is Peyton Siegel of San Antonio, Texas; Olivia Scott of Panama City, Florida; Caleb Womack of Gadsden, Alabama; Aurkheem Jolley of Midfield, Alabama; Devin Towery of New Braunfels, Texas; KK Murphy of Columbus, Ohio; Monica Velma of Wetumpka, Alabama; and Knox Villemarette of Lafayette, Louisiana. Swings are Elena Santini and Abe Ivey of Birmingham and KK Murphy of Columbus, Ohio. Understudies are Olivia Scott and Aurkheem Jolley.

Lily Cameron of Birmingham is assistant director. Stage management is by SG Kimery of Atlanta, Georgia, with assistant stage managers JP Williams of Auburn, Alabama, and Tatum Sasser of Hoover, Alabama. Charity Bielicki of Huntington Beach, California, is assistant music director.

Scenic/props run crew is Perry Hazelwood of Pell City, Alabama, and Hyacinthus Craig of Huntsville. Light operation is by Jordan Foster of Birmingham and Simon Tsikalas of Madison. Dressers are Jane Delahoussaye of Sugar Land, Texas, and Brennen Foy of Gardendale, Alabama. Sound is by Kyle Kratt of The Woodlands, Texas, with Samantha Robinson of Braselton, Georgia, sound board.