A Drop Dead Comedy 

Clue: Live on Stage!

“I tell you, the murder was committed by Miss Scarlet (or Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum or Mr. Green); and it took place in the Ballroom (or the Conservatory, the Kitchen, the Hall, the Billiard Room, the Dining Room, the Library, the Lounge or the Study); and the weapon used was the candlestick (or the lead pipe, the revolver, the rope, the dagger or the wrench).” 

That phrase is familiar to anyone who’s ever played Clue. It’s the perceptive player’s announcement as he solves the who, what and where of Mr. Boddy’s murder, after having carefully sleuthed out all the answers in the popular board game. This murder mystery entertainment, designed for three to six players, was the brainchild of British game designer, Anthony E. Pratt. Since its beginnings in 1943, the game has been updated many times and the Americanized edition became classic fun for thousands of families and friends.

Based upon the popular Hasbro/Parker Brothers’ board game, a film version of the murder mystery appeared in 1985. It starred Tim Curry Lesley Ann Warren, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Eileen Brennan, Martin Mull and Lee Ving, as Mr. Boddy. Well this murder mystery has been turned into a tantalizing, twisted and side-splitting one-act play. Mercury Theater Chicago had a hit with this whodunit a couple years ago. Now Broadway in Chicago brings this drop dead black comedy to the CIBC Theatre for two weeks. The show is guaranteed to produce thrills, chills, goosebumps and plenty of uncontrollable laughter for the entire 90 minutes of its uninterrupted mayhem.      

On a dark and stormy night, at the elegantly gloomy Boddy Manor, six guests arrive at the door. They’ve each been invited to a mysterious dinner party and are greeted by Wadsworth, the charming British butler. Upon their arrival, he gives each visitor a pseudonym to protect their anonymity. They’re colorfully renamed Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mr. Green and Colonel Mustard. The guests claim not to know each other, nor their unseen host, Mister Boddy. But, while their host’s not currently present to greet his company, Yvette, the French maid, and the intimidating Cook join Wadsworth in welcoming his guests. The company are escorted to the dining room, where dinner is served, along with a huge helping of chaos and comedy. And suddenly, just like that, the game is afoot!

Based on Jonathan Lynn’s film screenplay, Broadway actress and playwright Sandy Rustin (THE COTTAGE, DEAR WORLD) reworked the movie script into a clever whodunnit for the stage that will keep audiences guessing and laughing until the very end. Additional material has also been provided by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. The play is brought to lusty life with endless energy, hilarious hijinks and a substantial dose of slapstick by New York Director Casey Hushion (MEAN GIRLS, THE PROM). Clever Set Designer Lee Savage keeps the nonstop action moving throughout every room in the mansion by creating an ever-changing environment for the characters. Add to this additional enhancements designed by Ryan O’Gara (Lighting) and Jeff Human (Sound). An array of 1950’s period Costumes, by Jen Caprio (HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL, SPAMALOT), and Hair, Wigs & Makeup Design by J. Jared Janas add much to make every character even more madcap and hilarious.

Secrets abound in this play, and not just hidden within the dark, hidden passageways of the mansion. Everyone in the story has a skeleton in his or her closet and is hiding a crypt-full of inside information. Every character is actually a mind-twisting, cryptic conundrum of secrets. Each is mysteriously eccentric and is delightfully played to the hilt. The cast for this production is impeccable and filled with a bevy of remarkably gifted comic actors. While each and every actor has his or her moments to shine in this fast-paced farce, a few are truly standouts. 

Jeff Skowron (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LION KING, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS) is phenomenal as Wadsworth, the Butler. For much of the play’s 90 minutes, Mr. Skowron pretty much runs the entire show. Not only does he demonstrate his prowess with verbal and physical humor, the actor also manages a variety of clearly enunciated dialects. Another excellent performance is turned in by John Shartzer, who plays Mr. Green. Physical comedy is this talented young man’s forte and he employs it full out. From the beginning, Mr. Shartzer, demonstrates his brilliance with comic timing. I lost it when, upon Mr. Green’s first entrance, the offstage dogs began barking, and Wadsworth loudly commands, “Sit!” And Mr. Green does just that.

Additional hilarity ensues with Broadway actor David Hess (SUNSET BOULEVARD, SWEENEY TODD), in the role of the ironically “Clue”-less Colonel Mustard. He could easily be the poster boy for both Dumb and Dumber. One of Broadway’s hardest working character actresses, Joanna Glushak (LES MISERABLES, HAIRSPRAY) is divine as the uptight society matron, Mrs. Peacock. Donna English (LEND ME A TENOR, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY) makes a sinister and mysterious black widow as the enigmatic Mrs. White. And Alex Syiek does an incredible job playing multiple roles, beginning with a Brooklyn-born Mr. Boddy. Alex has appeared at regional theaters all over the country, including at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, where he was enjoyed in their production of GROUNDHOG DAY. The remaining talented company members include Elisabeth Yancey, as Yvette, the saucy French bombshell maid; Christina Anthony, as the sexy and seductive Miss Scarlet; Mariah Burks, as the no-nonsense Cook, and several other characters; Jonathan Spivey, as the elusive Professor Plum; and Teddy Trice who portrays a policeman who innocently wanders into all the madness and mayhem. And it should be noted that for the last two Chicago performances, Jennifer Allen will step into the role of Mrs. Peacock, while Graham Stevens will take over the role of Professor Plum.

As a frigid Winter winds down in Chicago, those who love the classic board game of Clue will delight in seeing it come to life on stage. Fans of fast-pace, broad and boisterous comedies, such as NOISES OFF and THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, will love CLUE: LIVE ON STAGE. They’ll find this farcical murder mystery a must-see. And theatergoers who are devotees of Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes whodunnits, and also have a soft spot in their hearts for the humor of Monty Python, will find this new Broadway in Chicago offering a Drop Dead Comedy to be thoroughly savored.

Highly Recommended  

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented February 18-March 2 by Broadway in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling the Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com