Clue
Adapted from the Screenplay by Jonathan Lynn
Written by Sandy Rustin
Additional Material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price
Based on Original Direction by Casey Hushion
Directed by Steve Bebout
STAGES St. Louis
July 27, 2023
Cast of Clue
Photo by Phillip Hamer
STAGES St. Louis
Clue is a lot of things. It’s a game, it’s a movie, and now it’s a play. It’s the first non-musical play STAGES has produced in a long time, but the way this show plays out, it’s not that much of a departure. In fact, even though it’s not a musical, with its pacing, original musical score by Michael Holland, energetic performances, and cast full of musical theatre veterans, it almost seems like one. It’s also a frantic, well-choreographed, hilarious good time at the theatre.
If you know the board game, you know most of the characters here, and if you’ve seen the film, you know more of the characters, and the basic plot. It generally follows the plot of the film, as far as I remember, but there are some additions, and it’s all staged in an especially theatrical way, with a great deal of energy by the cast, and some impressive production values. The mansion, the weapons, the rooms, and the familiar board game characters are all here–Colonel Mustard (David Hess), Mrs. White (Tari Kelly), Mrs. Peacock (Zoe Vonder Haar), Mr. Green (Charlie Franklin), Professor Plum (Graham Stevens), and Miss Scarlet (Diana DeGarmo)–welcomed to Boddy Manor by butler Wadsworth (Mark Price) and the shady Mr. Boddy (Jeff Cummings, who plays a variety of roles). All the characters have their secrets, and a sudden murder sends them all into “mystery solving” mode while more mayhem ensues. It would spoil too much to go into too much detail, but I will say it involves a lot of well-orchestrated chaos.
It’s a good thing many of the cast members are experienced in musical theatre, because while this isn’t a musical, exactly, it’s a highly stylized staging that features lots of heavily choreographed movement, as well as some dancing and an affected “sing-song” way of speaking for some of the characters. The cast is excellent across the board, with everyone getting their moments to shine, and Price a notable standout as the fastidious, energetic Wadsworth. The ensemble chemistry is excellent, as well, with all the players previously mentioned–along with Cameron Jamarr Davis in several roles–working together with seamless efficiency and wacky comic energy. This isn’t a long play, with its one act running at roughly 80 minutes, but the cast makes the most of every minute, milking the laughs for all they are worth.
The breakneck pace of the staging is also highly dependent on the technical aspects of the production, most notably the mansion, which is essentially a character in itself. The marvelous set by Lee Savage is highly versatile and strikingly detailed, with quick set-changes and movement essential to the action of the play. The costumes by Brad Musgrove are also terrific, bringing the characters from the game to life with vivid detail. There’s also stellar lighting by Sean M. Savoie and sound by Beef Gratz.
Clue is, ultimately, a whole lot of fun. If you’re a fan of game and/or the film, it will probably be even more fun, but even if you don’t know much about either, this is simply a laugh fest from start to finish. Its almost dizzying pace adds to the laughs, as does the high-energy enthusiasm of the cast and the impressive production values. It’s a very musical “non-musical”, especially, and a hilarious success for STAGES St. Louis.
Cast of Clue
Photo by Phillip Hamer
STAGES St. Louis
STAGES St. Louis is presenting Clue at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center until August 20, 2023
