Broadway in Chicago presents CLUE Live on Stage!
Professor Plum did it in the billiards room with the wrench! The board game Clue challenges players to figure out ‘who, where, what’ in solving a murder mystery. The popular pastime has had many renditions since its 1949 debut. Generations of players have channeled their inner sleuth to win the game. In 1985, Paramount Pictures turned the game into a film. The cult classic movie boasted a star-studded cast led by Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd and Eileen Brennan. The detective game turned movie now takes the stage for a limited two week engagement.
Based on the original screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, Playwright Sandy Rustin, with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price, pens the wacky whodunit. Six individuals have been invited to Boddy Manor for dinner. They’ve been given colorful pseudonyms to protect their identity. They are welcomed by their host, Mr. Boddy. He has something on everyone and is blackmailing them to do his bidding. Once, he presents them each with a peculiar item, the lights go out. When the lights come back on, Mr. Boddy is lying dead on the floor. There is a killer in the house. Who is the killer? Although the where is obvious, the ‘with what’ is still unanswered. Even though in the game who-where-what are the pertinent questions, the staged version also explores the ‘why’ … ’why did they do it?’
These familiar childhood characters come to life for the amusement of the audience. Rustin leans into the lampoon by unraveling complex backstories and nonstop zingers. Director Casey Hushion adds to the hilarity with heightened slapstick and comedic timing. Following the Parker Bros’ ‘blueprints’, Scenic Designer Lee Savage built an impressive mansion where rooms pop out, tables glide in and weapons appear from hidden crevices. Hushion has the ensemble continuously running from room to room. They exert vast energy to get nowhere. The shenanigans exaggerate the urgency of murders-in-the-building and set up a spoof-tastic time!
The high-energy ensemble are killing it! They are having fun and are fun! They move in delightful synchronicity often in contrast to an obtuse David Hess (Mustard). A haughty Joanna Glushak (Peacock) gets rattled and starts boozing away. And despite everyone being frenzied, Christina Anthony (Scarlet) plays it wonderfully cool delivering sassy one liners. And nods out to Jeff Skowron (Wadsworth) and John Shartzer (Green) for their humorous physicality. Skowron’s facial expressions punctuate jokes. He and Shartzer both spend time on the floor wiggling away from danger. And the incredibly limber Shartzer also showcases some amazing Matrix moves.
CLUE is a madcap romp. This isn’t a serious night at the theatre. It’s a game! And it’s a fun play for all ages.
Running Time: Ninety minutes with no intermission
At CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe
Inspired by the Hasbro board game CLUE
Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn
Written by Sandy Rustin with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price
Directed by Casey Hushion
Performances are:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays,Thursdays 7pm
Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 2pm
Wednesdays and Sundays at 1pm
Thru March 2nd
For more information or tickets
Production photos by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago