Broadway’s “Clue” at the Overture Center in Madison does exactly what it sets out to do: outlines a murder mystery, introduces memorable lead characters and their motives, excites with a plot twist and finishes strong with the same rowdy, smart slapstick comedy featured throughout the show, which played May 13 through 18.
While the show differs from the board game, it immerses audiences in a live-action playthrough. Campy, self-aware references pack the play. When one character asks who designed the mansion, another replies “The Parker Brothers,” referring to the board game company who owns the U.S. version of Clue.
Clue’s original designer, Anthony E. Pratt, created the game while hiding in his home in the United Kingdom during World War II air raids. The game takes place in Tudor Mansion, based on a real mansion in East Sussex. When a murder is committed, players must determine the killer, the room of the murder and the murder weapon.
Despite some changes, Clue stayed true to its original design and became a staple board game for families and friends throughout the 20th century. It also evolved into a franchise, receiving movie, musical, video game and film series adaptations. Now, on Broadway, Clue has been adapted once again, this time into a play.
The play begins when six guests arrive at Boddy Manor, described as a New England mansion of “epic proportions and terrifying secrets.” As they enter one by one, they are greeted by the butler, Wadsworth (Jeff Skowron). The guests are the iconic board game ensemble: Colonel Mustard (David Hess), Mrs. White (Donna English), Mrs. Peacock (Jennifer Allen), Mr. Green (John Shartzer), Professor Plum (Evan Zes) and Miss Scarlet (Christina Anthony).
After they arrive, each guest is accused by Mr. Boddy (Alex Syiek), the mansion’s owner and chair of the House Un-American Activities Committee, of committing scandalous activities. Mr. Boddy gives each guest a weapon — a candlestick, a dagger, a lead pipe, a rope, a revolver and a wrench — and tells them if they don’t kill Wadsworth and the maid Yvette (Elisabeth Yancey), they’ll face charges. When Mr. Boddy turns up dead moments later, followed by others, the party quickly devolves into an investigation to find the killer.
Cast members brought a unique flair to their roles. The standout character was Mr. Green, especially notable for backbending acrobatics saving him from death by chandelier. Wadsworth’s antics with the police were also a delight, with the butler leading them from room to room and laughing nervously while the characters tried to hide the numerous bodies in increasingly creative ways.
The Boddy Manor comes alive as the characters move through the story. Each room in the show’s intricately designed set is memorable in its own right. The main room is complete with spooky chandeliers and candles. The technical aspects of the set are just as impressive, with characters jogging in place as they move from one room to the next, the walls seamlessly shifting behind them.
One curious element occurs at the end of the play when several characters explain their version of events. As one tale ends and another begins, the actors ‘rewind’ to their original positions, remaining in character as they execute the difficult maneuver.
“Clue” works because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Though the storyline is comical and jaunty, the excellent technical design and character execution were clearly top priorities during production. It’s a difficult feat to create a play out of a board game, but “Clue” draws heavily from the franchise’s movie to create an engaging and silly audience experience.
