Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre opens its 50th season with Clue – Sandy Rustin’s adaptation of the film version written by Jonathan Lynn, with original music by Michael Holland. The film and play are, of course, based upon situations and characters in the eponymous Hasbro board game.
Eddie Curry directs an all-star cast of performers in this mystery farce. The ensemble of Scot Greenwell as Mr. Green, Sally Scharbrough as French maid Yvette, David Schmittou as butler Wadsworth, Cara Statham Serber as Mrs. White, Suzanne Stark as Mrs. Peacock, Jeff Stockberger as Colonel Mustard, John Vessels as Professor Plum, and Deb Wims as Miss Scarlet fill the stage with a wide variety of comedic techniques. At its best, the production is an almost vaudevillian display of schtick.
(Clockwise from top left) The suspects include John Vessels as Professor Plum, Jeff Stockberger as Colonel Mustard, Scot Greenwell as Mr. Green, Suzanne Stark as Mrs. Peacock, Cara Statham Serber as Mrs. White, and Deb Wims as Miss Scarlet. (Photo by Julie Curry)
The action takes place at Boddy Manor (hats off to Michael Layton’s door filled set design), where the invited guests are assembled in order to meet with their common blackmailer Mr. Boddy, and to deal with his demands for an increase in their payments to him. As various characters are bumped off, the mystery grows – who is a murderer and how can they be stopped?
A fine supporting cast: Ben Asaykwee, Hannah Boswell, Carrie S. Neal and Tristan Ross fill in an array of roles. In a play written with endless wordplay, physical comedy, over the top portrayals, lightning quick bits (Ms. Neal’s moment on stage is especially hilarious), and multiple surprise endings – every actor’s performance is presented with a sharp edge and the laughs are plentiful.
Bottom line: Clue makes for a very funny, very entertaining start to B&B’s celebration season. The comic aspects of the show, mixed in with the mysteries that are offered, are a definite hit with this reviewer.
Information about B&B’s current production of Clue, and their 2023 50th Anniversary Season, can be found online at beefandboards.com or you may call the B&B box office at (317) 872-9664.
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