Get a “Clue” at Stages and find out whodunnit!

By Joanne Fistere

“Clue”, the play by Sandy Rustin with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price, is loosely based on the 1985 film of the same name based on the Hasbro/Parker Brothers board game. (Not to be confused with “Clue: The Musical” which I reviewed earlier this Spring, also based on the aforementioned board game.) It had its West Coast premiere in 2021 and East Coast premiere in 2022 and is one of the top twenty “most produced plays” in the country in the 2022-23 theatrical season.

“Clue” is Stage’s rare non-musical selection this year. This whodunnit farce is fast-paced and full of double takes, inuendo, and silly one liners. The plot begins at a remote mansion, where six guests assemble for an unusual dinner party. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Led by Wadsworth – the butler - Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as the dead bodies continue to mount.

The set, impeccably designed by Lee Savage, takes center stage (pun intended) and creates a perfectly creepy mansion with all of the delectable trappings (and trap doors). Major kudos to the production team (who rarely get the credit for multiple cues called during a show), led by stage manager Sarah Luedloff, for keeping this tightly wound watch of a show going. The lights, by Sean M. Savoie, and sound, by Beef Gratz, also add to the spooky tone. Costumes by Brad Musgrove highlight all the character quirks.

Mark Price as Wadsworth is perfection in his role. He originated it at the East Coast premiere and I can see why Stages brought him in for this production. (And coming from me, always on my soap box for the local actor hire, that is saying something!) Mr. Price’s comic timing is flawless, and his pacing is precision perfect. The other non-local newcomer stand out is Charlie Franklin as Mr. Green. His pratfalls are well done and his surprising character twists are superbly timed and hilariously delivered.

But fear not friends, there are a few locals to brag about in this show. Lari White is playfully French as Yvette, the maid, and Leah Berry plays the Cook and other roles nicely. Jeff Cummings shows off his comic versatility impressively as Mr. Boddy and other characters. Cameron Jamar Davis is effective in his brief appearance as the Cop. Stages mainstay Zoe Vonder Haar plays the iconic Mrs. Peacock.

The show starts out slowly but picks up speed and doesn’t stop until the curtain call. It’s a 90-minute farcical murder mystery that will keep you guessing. It is not a particularly well written script, but director Steve Bebout delivers a finely tuned and ultimately satisfying evening of theatre. Sit back and enjoy Stages’ first non-musical in over 30 years!

“Clue” presented by Stages St. Louis at the Kirkwood Performing Art Center runs through August 20th. For tickets and information go the Stages website.