A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

October 9-11, 16-18 and 23-25 of 2026

Auditions June 6 & June 8

See Information Below

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Music and Lyrics by Steven Lutvak
Book and Lyrics by Robert L. Freedman

Directed by Patricia Hoefler
Music Directed by Daniel Reisdorf
Choreographed by Mary Loliger

When the low-born Monty Navarro finds out that he’s eighth in line for an earldom in the lofty D’Ysquith family, he develops a devious plan to expedite his path to high society… at the great expense of eight of his relatives (all played by the one actor!). Armed with his charm, he attempts to avoid suspicion while caught between feelings for two beautiful women. Based on the Novel by Roy Horniman and the most Tony-nominated show of the 2014 Broadway Season (including a win for Best Musical), this murderous, comedic romp with unforgettable music will leave you begging for more!

Auditions: Saturday, June 6 from 10:00am-2:00pm; Monday, June 8 from 7:00pm-10:00pm. Callbacks Wednesday, June 10 at 7:00pm.May 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM

Auditions are by appointment and will be held within blocks of time. Please email the director to schedule your audition: pchoefler@gmail.com.

Director:  Patricia Hoefler

Patricia Hoefler has been very active with Aurora Players, having most recently directed Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly in December 2024. Other director credits for Aurora Players include: Proof in the spring of 2024; Amateurs; The musical, She Loves Me; and Neil Simon’s comedy Barefoot in the Park. She served on the Board of Directors for Aurora Players as its Vice President.
She additionally directed a number of shows in Rhode Island, where she pursued her MFA theater degree in Performance and Society, with a focus on directing and playwriting. The shows she directed included a modernized version of The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare), Greater Tuna (Ed Howard, Jaston Williams, and Joe Sears), Fools (Neil Simon), and an abridged version of Death and the Maiden (Ariel Dorfman). She also served as assistant director for The Foreigner (Larry Shue) and A Lie of the Mind (Sam Shepard). As part of her degree, she wrote and workshopped several plays, including Living War and her final project, Do UCare which dealt with the healthcare crisis.
When not involved in theatre, Patricia is an online humanities instructor and sings in the choir for Saint John Vianney Church in Orchard Park.

Choreographer:  Mary Loliger

Mary is honored to return to Aurora Players, where she choreographed her first musical more than 10 years ago. Her choreography credits here include Shakespeare in Love, One Man, Two Guv’nors, The Pirates of Penzance, and Grease (assistant choreographer). A recipient of the John C. Briggs Service Award, she also serves on AP’s Marketing Committee. She has also choreographed The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown for Rocking Horse Productions, The Secret Garden for George Liaros Productions, and various high school productions. Onstage, she appeared with Niagara Regional Theatre Guild as Florinda in Into the Woods, as well as Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, She Loves Me, Young Frankenstein, The Baker’s Wife, 9 to 5, and Something Rotten! Mary has also appeared in Mamma Mia! (Lake Plains Players) and Legally Blonde (Rocking Horse Productions). She is also a member of Second Generation Theatre’s Board of Directors.

Music Director:  Daniel Reisdorf

Daniel Reisdorf holds Music Education degrees from SUNY Fredonia. He teaches at Pembroke Central School, where his directorial credits include The Phantom of the Opera, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables, and most recently Finding Nemo Jr. He is the co-director of the Lancaster Youth Bureau children’s summer production, where his latest credit is Newsies Jr. Professionally, Daniel is a cantor at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo and a NYSSMA Vocal Adjudicator. His stage credits include Buffalo Opera Unlimited (La Bohème) and the Lancaster Opera House (Chess). He is a sought-after guest conductor for Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High honors ensembles across New York State. Recent highlights include conducting the ECMEA Elementary Chorus at historic Kleinhans Music Hall and the NYSSMA Zone 1 Junior High Area All-State Mixed Chorus. Daniel resides in Lancaster, NY, with his wife, Tina, and their three children: Anna, Joseph, and Charlotte.

Cast List Announced!

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

CAST

HERCULE POIROT………………………Joshua Verby
CONSTANTINE BOUC……………………John Kehoe
MARY DEBENHAM………………..Megan Mahaney
HECTOR MACQUEEN…………………Nick Benstead
PIERRE MICHEL / HEAD WAITER………..Chris Biggie
PRINCESS DRAGOMIROFF………………Jessica Rasp
GRETA OHLSSON…………………………Erin Kosich
COUNTESS ANDRENYI…………………Anne Gerace
HELEN HUBBARD……………………….Tara Potzler
COLONEL ARBUTHNOT…………………Zach Wilcox
SAMUEL RATCHETT……………………..Lucas Smith
DAISY ARMSTRONG…………………Emerson Disch

DETAILS:

  • Audition appointments are required. Please email the director to schedule your time at pchoefler@gmail.com. All auditions will be held at the Aurora Players Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park, 166 South Grove Street, East Aurora.
  • The production opens Friday, October 9, 2026 and runs for three weekends through Sunday, October 25. Friday/Saturday shows are at 7:30 PM; Sunday shows, 2:30 PM. 
  • All cast members must be available for the first read through on Monday, August 3. Headshots for publicity and the show program will be taken at this time.
  • Rehearsals begin Monday, August 3 and will generally take place Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 6:30pm and 9:30-10:00pm. Please note all dates you are unavailable for rehearsal on the audition form. NOTE:  There are several that cannot be missed listed on the General Information Sheet (link above), please be sure to check those before auditioning.

PREPARATION:

Please bring 32 bars of sheet music from an upbeat Broadway musical to sing with piano accompaniment. Those auditioning for leads are strongly encouraged to prepare a piece for their character from the show. Sides from the script are available online and will also be available at auditions.

SYNOPSIS:

When the low-born Monty Navarro is informed by a mysterious stranger that he’s ninth in line for an earldom in the lofty D’Ysquith family, he develops a devious plan to expedite his path to high society… at the great expense of eight of his relatives (all played by the one actor!). Armed with his charm, he attempts to avoid suspicion while caught between feelings for two beautiful women.

There is some intimacy (primarily kissing) between the characters of Monty and Sibella. Aurora Players is committed to creating a comfortable and consensual atmosphere for rehearsals and during the performances.

CHARACTERS AND DESCRIPTIONS:

Montague “Monty” Navarro: 20s to 30s. He is charming, and charismatic; a bit wily and mischievous but still endearing. Enthusiastic about his plans to get ahead. Vocal range top: Bb4 Vocal range bottom: Bb2 (Tenor)

The D’Ysquith Family: 30s to 50s. This single actor portrays nine family members of various ages and genders including:

  • Asquith D’Ysquith, Jr., a dandy
  • Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith, Eighth Earl of Highhurst
  • Reverend Lord Ezekiel D’Ysquith, a clergyman
  • Lord Asquith D’Ysquith, Sr., an elderly banker
  • Henry D’Ysquith, a country squire
  • Lady Hyacinth D’Ysquith, a benefactress
  • Major Lord Bartholomew D’Ysquith, a bodybuilder
  • Lady Salome D’Ysquith Pumphrey, an actress
  • Chauncey D’Ysquith, a janitor

The role requires a high degree of physicality. Vocal range top: G4 Vocal range bottom: Bb2 (Tenor)

Sibella Hallward: 20s to mid-30s. She is Monty’s primary love interest and is portrayed as sexy and narcissistic. Vocal range top: A5 Vocal range bottom: F#3 (Soprano)

Phoebe D’Ysquith: 20s to early 30s. Monty’s virtuous and romantic cousin who Monty also loves. Vocal range top: B5 Vocal range bottom: F#3 (Soprano)

Miss Shingle: 30s to 60s. An older woman who reveals Monty’s lineage; she is direct and no nonsense. Vocal range top: E5 Vocal range bottom: D#3 (Mezzo Soprano/Alto)

Ensemble: 20s to 60s. A versatile group of up to 12 (six men, six women) who play a number of roles, including various D’Ysquith ancestors and Londoners. All of the ensemble are actively involved. Several of the ensemble have more extensive roles with musical solos and/or lines including:

Miss Barley : 20’s to 30’s. Showgirl (Soprano)

Lady Eugenia D’Ysquith : 40+ Countess of Highhurst

Inspector of Scotland Yard : 40+

Magistrate : 40+

Additionally, there will be two non-speaking roles for young actors (ages 8-14) who will be sign carriers for scenes and be involved in other ways on stage. Some dance experience preferred.

Questions? Write to info@auroraplayers.org or the director: pchoefler@gmail.com Aurora Players welcomes all to audition, whether new or seasoned actors.

Chris Biggie
PIERRE MICHEL

Testimonials

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2026-2027 Season