After cancelling a year and half’s worth of shows, Camas High School (CHS) returns to the stage this spring with the musical comedy A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. The theater department, pit orchestra, stage designers, thespians committee, and many more are preparing to deliver a hilarious musical comedy on opening night, scheduled for April 15, 2022. 

Written by Robert L. Freedman, and music by Steven Lutvak, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is narrated by the protagonist, Monty Navarro, who is played by Nels Martin. The “funny, sinister, British Victorian Era comedy” chronicles the obstacles Monty faces as he tries to claim the Highhurst earldom, described by Sophomore Morgan Greco, the actress for Phoebe.

Drama Teacher Sean Kelly, who is the producer, director and designer said, “the show has love, it has murder, it has one person playing nine different parts. It’s brilliant.”

Originally, the cast intended on reviving the show that got canceled due to Covid-19 in 2020, but the excitement surrounding it died down, and it felt like “trying to resurrect an old relative.” Mr. Kelly decided to do this show, as it is equally funny, “but more contemporary and a little off the wall.” The timing is perfect, since it requires a smaller cast of 25 people. 

Covid-19 has had a big impact on the rehearsal process: taking out a third of the cast for a week, pit orchestra rehearsals starting later in January, and the shifting mask guidelines affecting performance dates. 

“It’s been stressful for us. We’ve lost a lot of actors who couldn’t work on it because of timing conflicts, but I do appreciate to have a lot more time to work on the show,” Greco said. “Having that time to remember what it’s like to be in a show and put it all together is great, because we’re all a little bit rusty.”

Even with these obstacles, the effort and time put into the production is totally worth it. The cast even got to have an interview with Bryce Pinkham, the original Broadway actor for Monty.

“We have the opportunity to provide laughter and joy. That to me is the most important thing right now,” said Senior Lil, a member of the ensemble and playing Lady Eugenia D’Ysquith.

To support the CHS Theater community, chorus member Raye Jensen would like to say, “come see the musical! We spent so much time and hard work on it. It’s a really fun show, and I think you should come see it.” The performance dates are  set for April 15, 16 and 22, 23.