Clue is a Rollicking, Ridiculously Fun Romp

The Company of the North American tour of CLUE. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

If you’ve ever laughed along with the 1985 movie Clue or played the board game on which it’s based, you know that both are all about mystery, mayhem, and colorful characters. Now, that same fun spirit has been transmuted into Clue: Live on Stage! This hilarious new play, written by Sandy Rustin (with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price) and based on Jonathan Lynn’s campy screenplay, opened at the Durham Performing Arts Center on Tuesday night and started delighting audiences from the very first crash of lightning. 

Punctuated by stormy sounds, a wonderfully spooky atmosphere, and plenty of witty wordplay, the show, directed by Casey Hushion, tells the story of six guests who gather at Boddy Manor. They’re not sure why they’re there, but each has something to hide. Soon after they discover that their host, Mr. Boddy (Alex Syiek), intends to blackmail them, they’re given weapons. Then, the lights go out, a murder occurs, and a hilarious whodunit begins.

The raucous, rambunctious action that ensues plays out against Lee Savage’s lovely (but eerie) manor set. The glittering chandeliers and gleaming floors serve as an effective contrast to the bawdy humor and fast-flying dialogue, and, somehow, the silly sight gags are just funnier when they take place in a pristine mansion.

Speaking of sight gags, the talented cast pulls out all the stops and commits to every joke. John Shartzer’s Mr. Green pulls funny faces, scrambles across the floor, and never misses the chance for a laugh. And, when he’s not delighting the audience, James Taylor Odom’s snarky Wadsworth and Joanna Glushak’s fainting, floundering Mrs. Peacock get the job done. Mary McNulty’s sultry, proud Miss Scarlet also adds to the fun, and John Treacy Egan (Colonel Mustard), Tari Kelly (Mrs. White), and Jonathan Spivey (Professor Plum) each give their own standout performances. 

In between laughs, viewers will delight at the punchy, suspenseful music and the synchronized, dance-like way that the actors scurry across the stage. Care is also paid to tiny, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them details, like Mr. Green’s aptly-colored socks and a handful of subtly-dropped clues. Filled with allusions to both the board game and the film, Clue is a silly, delightful romp with just the right amount of suspense. Plus, clocking in at around 90 minutes, it never overstays its welcome or wears thin.

If you’re ready to laugh all night and place some (probably ill-fated) bets on the ending, Clue: Live on Stage! is the perfect choice. The play runs through September 8th and makes a great start to spooky season. Grab your notepad, put on your inspector hat, and solve the mystery!

-Susie Potter