arts & entertainment

On the sunny afternoon of December 14, ten of the fifteen cast members of Riverside Theatre’s upcoming production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder arrived at the Vero Beach Regional Airport on a direct flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The delightfully wicked musical comedy—winner of four Tony® Awards including Best Musical—began rehearsals on Monday, December 15, in preparation for several weeks of work leading up to its first public performance on Friday, January 9, 2026.

Sponsored by Paul & Joanne Bourdeau, Bill & Eva Gurley, and Riverside Theatre’s Patron Producers, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder promises an evening filled with charm, wit, and uproarious fun.

The story follows Monty Navarro, an unassuming clerk in turn-of-the-century England who discovers he is ninth in line to inherit a vast family fortune and prestigious title. There’s just one small complication: eight eccentric D’Ysquith relatives must be removed—permanently—for Monty to succeed. What unfolds is a whirlwind of clever storytelling, razor-sharp humor, and deliciously murderous musical mischief.

A signature hallmark of the show is that all eight D’Ysquith heirs—male and female—are portrayed by a single performer. In Riverside’s production, that tour-de-force track will be performed by Dan DeLuca, known for originating the role of Jack Kelly in the national tour of Disney’s Newsies, starring in The Nutty Professor musical, and collaborating on new works with Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken.

Jake Levy stars as Monty in his Riverside Theatre debut, fresh from the national tour of Wicked and previously the tour of Anastasia. A UCLA alum, Levy has performed Off-Broadway, at regional theatres nationwide, and on television for Amazon, Apple TV, and FOX.

The production is helmed by award-winning director, actor, and writer Hunter Foster. Foster has appeared in eleven Broadway productions and co-wrote the hit adaptation Clue: On Stage, one of the most produced plays in the United States. Named “Director of the Year” by The Wall Street Journal, he serves as an Artistic Associate at Bucks County Playhouse and has directed extensively across the country.

Set in Edwardian England, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder features a dazzling score by Steven Lutvak and a witty book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman. Based on Roy Horniman’s 1907 novel Israel Rank: The Autobiography of a Criminal, the show premiered at Hartford Stage in 2012, transferred to the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, and opened on Broadway in 2013 at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where it ran for 1,013 performances. The Broadway production garnered ten Tony® Award nominations, twelve Drama Desk nominations, eleven Outer Critics Circle nominations, and two Drama League nominations.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder runs January 9 – February 1, 2026 on the Stark Stage. Preview performances take place January 9–11, and Opening Night is January 13 at 7:30pm. Tickets start as low as $50 and may be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or visiting riversidetheatre.com.

For over 50 years, Riverside Theatre has been the cultural cornerstone of Florida’s Treasure Coast and is recognized as the largest professional producing non-profit theatre in the state. Renowned for its Broadway-quality plays and musicals, robust educational programs, and diverse cultural events, Riverside Theatre is committed to the transformative power of live performance and storytelling. Beyond its acclaimed productions on the Stark and Waxlax stages, Riverside Theatre offers unique experiences such as “In the Loop” concerts featuring local bands, comedy nights at The Comedy Zone, and the annual Distinguished Lecturer Series. Employing over 100 staff members and 200 artists, supported by more than 500 volunteers, and operating with an annual budget of approximately $12 million, Riverside Theatre plays a vital role in both the economic and artistic dynamism of the community.

Riverside Theatre is located at 3250 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Riverside Theatre programs are sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Riverside Theatre is a member of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, the Indian River Chamber of Commerce, and the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce.