PhotosPhoto Exclusive: Daddy Time, Hydration and Murder! A Two-Show Day With Gent's Guide Star Jeff KreadyMusical theatre favorite Jeff Kready is currently starring as the devious (or ambitious) Monty Navarro in the Tony-winning Broadway musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. He shares a recent two show day at the theatre and spending time with daughter Lena and wife Nikki Renée Daniels.
By
Matthew Blank
May 01, 2015
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Photo Exclusive: Daddy Time, Hydration and Murder! A Two-Show Day With Gent's Guide Star Jeff Kready
Photo Exclusive: Daddy Time, Hydration and Murder! A Two-Show Day With Gent's Guide Star Jeff Kready
Musical theatre favorite Jeff Kready is currently starring as the devious (or ambitious) Monty Navarro in the Tony-winning Broadway musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. He shares a recent two show day at the theatre and spending time with daughter Lena and wife Nikki...
20 PHOTOS
Good morning, Playbill! It’s 7:00 AM on a Wednesday morning, and try as I might, my body won’t let me sleep any later.
Jeff Kready
The first thing I do every morning is the tedious task of starting my water intake. I usually drink between 80-100 oz of water before I leave for the theater because I know I’m going to sweat it out later, and it helps clear out phlegm. Clear pee= Clear voice!
Jeff Kready
This alarm typically goes off around 7:30, and rest assured there is no snooze button. But that’s okay- this smile is my favorite part of the day.
Jeff Kready
I may have two shows, but Lena is pretty swamped today too; first on the agenda is one of her puzzles that needs work. We also spend a lot of time with books in the morning; mommy is reading one of Lena’s favorites, “Little Diva” by LaChanze. Then it’s time for a yummy breakfast.
Jeff Kready
Gym time. I try to get the elliptical that is as far away from anyone else because I hum and softly sing while I do cardio. Someone had the crazy idea that Monty should run and sing during the show, so this is part of my warm up.
On my way home from the gym, I meet Nikki and Lena at the playground on our block. I inevitably end up doing more cardio.
Jeff Kready
This is the hardest part of the day- saying goodbye to my girls. Nikki doesn’t have Wednesday matinees, so she’ll be at home with Lena for the daytime, which is nice.
Jeff Kready
Look who I ran into on the subway! It’s Keve Wilson, our oboist! We regularly take the train together. This is why New York is the best- you run into friends all the time.
Jeff Kready
My first stop once I get to work is the stage management office. I am the honorary AASM (Assistant *Assistant* Stage Manager) so I have to check in and make sure everything’s running smoothly. I am fascinated by what stage managers do and I love this team in particular. I even learned how to call one of the scenes in the show from the stage managers desk!
Jeff Kready
Applying war paint, doing face stretches. Before the show I like to steam, drink hot water, and go through parts of my patter songs. Which is *every* song- thanks Steve and Robert!
Jeff Kready
Monty is off stage for a total of three minutes and 20 seconds the whole time, so I really don’t see anyone during the show except for on stage. But I get to wave to my friends off stage at this moment, which is nice.
Jeff Kready
Show number one done! Did a talkback with a school group, then went out to say hi to folks at the stage door where I met Jaclyn. It was her birthday so I thought I’d turn the tables and ask if she’d take a picture with ME. She kindly obliged.
Jeff Kready
This is typically what my break between shows looks like. I’m not antisocial I promise. But what helps me get through a two show day is grabbing some pad thai from across the street, firing up Netflix on my iPad, and lying down in my dressing room. 90 minutes of peace and quiet, ahhhhhhhhh.
Jeff Kready
6:30 means it’s time to have Jessica torture (I mean work) on me. She’s the greatest physical therapist EVER. I sing John Mellencamp when I’m with her- “Hurt so good. Come on baby, make it hurt so good.”
Jeff Kready
Hanging with Scarlett before show number two- no paparazzi please. Kevin Massey’s bracket is busted, and our awesome dressers Dyanna, Jessie, and Amy. Ready for show number two!
Jeff Kready
At intermission Jefferson comes in and we discuss whether the audience likes us or not and what we messed up in act one. Self-laceration makes us stronger .
Jeff Kready
Ready for act four of four with all my favorite peeps. Honestly folks, this is a really good group that makes me love going to work every day.
Jeff Kready
Quick change and water break with Julie, my incredible dresser. She is the best. Totally calm, cool, and collected no matter the situation. At this point we can see the finish line!
Jeff Kready
Collecting for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS after the show. Selfies for just $10!!
Jeff Kready
Made it! Wednesdays are long but awesome days. Thanks for joining me. Cheers.
The musical has a book by Robert L. Freedman, music by Steven Lutvak and lyrics by Freedman and Lutvak. Darko Tresnjak directs, and Peggy Hickey choreographs. A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder won 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).
Here's how the dark musical comedy is billed: "Monty Navarro (Kready) has just received some really great news from his late mother’s lifelong friend Miss Shingle (Shelley)! He’s a long-lost member of a noble family and could become the next Earl of Highhurst. There are only eight minor issues, namely the other relatives who precede him in line for the title. So Monty does what any ambitious, highborn gentleman would do: he sets out to eliminate them one by one, all while juggling his mistress (O'Hare) (she’s after more than just love), his fiancée (Walker) (she’s his cousin, but who’s keeping track?), plus the constant threat of landing behind bars! But it will all be worth it if he can slay his way into Highhurst Castle… and be done in time for tea. Each of the eight heirs perilously standing in the way of Monty’s fortune are played by Tony Award-winner Jefferson Mays, in one of the most breathtaking, whiplash-inducing performances ever attempted on the American stage."
The design team includes Alexander Dodge (scenic design), Linda Cho (costume design), Philip S. Rosenberg (lighting design), Dan Moses Schreier (sound design), Aaron Rhyne (projection design) and Charles LaPointe (wig design). Orchestrations are by Jonathan Tunick, and vocal arrangements are by Dianne Adams McDowell. Paul Staroba serves as music director.
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder is produced by Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, 50 Church Street Productions, Joan Raffe & Jhett Tolentino, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Catherine & Fred Adler, Rhoda Herrick, Kathleen K. Johnson, Megan Savage, Shadowcatcher Entertainment, Ron Simons, True Love Productions, Jamie deRoy, Four Ladies & One Gent, John Arthur Pinckard, Greg Nobile, Stewart Lane & Bonnie Comley, Exeter Capital/Ted Snowdon, Ryan Hugh Mackey, Cricket-CTM Media/Mano-Horn Productions, Dennis Grimaldi/Margot Astrachan, Hello Entertainment/Jamie Bendell, Michael T. Cohen/Joe Sirola, Joseph & Carson Gleberman/William Megevick and Robert Greenblatt, in association with The Hartford Stage and the Old Globe Theatre.
