It was a dark, frigid Tuesday night in Bloomington, cold enough for some professors to cancel class, yet audiences still flocked to the IU Auditorium for “Clue.”
This week, the IU Auditorium presented the popular board game turned 1985 cult-classic film, now creatively adapted for the stage. Based on the film’s screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, the murder mystery is written by Sandy Rustin with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. The production also features original music by Michael Holland.
With an ensemble cast of iconic characters, this one-act play left the audience wanting more. “Clue” is a true nostalgic journey down memory lane. Even with temperatures as low as negative 4 degrees, the turnout proved that this story continues to delight audiences.
When I sat down, I found myself in a four-person row with a three-person family. I then learned that the daughter, 9-year-old Makayla, was the sole reason for their trek to the auditorium. Like many this year, she had been gifted the board game for Christmas. She was inspired to brave the cold to see all of the characters she had gotten to know through the game come to life.
When I asked her which character she wanted to see most, she excitedly said Miss Scarlet. Growing up, I always wanted to play with Miss Scarlet, too.
With a crack of thunder, we were immediately transported to 1954 and Boddy Manor. Upon first glance, the sets and visual effects are extremely impressive. I’ve seen many shows at the IU Auditorium and never really understood how they can completely transform the space for a two-show stint. The Boddy Manor itself was opulent, filled with rich mahogany and glittering chandeliers. Like the characters, we in the audience were in awe of the beautiful, yet mysterious atmosphere.
One by one, each character introduced themselves using the fake name in which the host, Mr. Boddy, arranged. Miss Scarlet is a beautiful, dry woman who somehow knows Colonel Mustard. Mustard is a military man who is always a few steps behind the group. Mrs. Peacock is a senator’s wife, dedicated to the church and to her liquor. Professor Plum is an academic who, upon first introduction, has already hit on Miss Scarlet. Mrs. White is a cold socialite who may or may not have killed her husbands (all five of them). Mr. Green is a neurotic germaphobe.
The guests were sent a letter from their mysterious host arranging for their presence at a dinner party. They do not know why they have been invited, but somehow, they all still came. We learn that each of the guests is being blackmailed by the host. They are each given a murder weapon and instructed to kill Wadsworth, Boddy’s stereotypical British butler, as he knows their secrets as well.
The lights go out, darkening the stage. We heard some commotion and a gunshot. By the time the lights turn on, Boddy is dead, and our characters fear they could be next. Although this is a scenario played so many times in the game, it still felt exhilarating.
Whenever the lights turned off, it seemed as if another person in the house had been killed.
This cast is beyond hysterical. They tiptoe around the manor as an ensemble, breaking out into screams at the smallest of jump scares. Mrs. Peacock, played by Joanna Glushak, made every moment of her time count. She was zany, flailing around whilst reminding everyone that she is “one of God’s children.”
Wadsworth, played by Jeff Skowron, was the driving force of the play, leading the crew with his superb energy and hilarious timing. His quips were quick, and with a pacing as fast as this show, he was beyond impressive to watch.
John Shartzer’s portrayal of Mr. Green is by far the standout of the show. He screamed, squirmed on the ground, and somehow moved his body to narrowly escape a falling chandelier in slow motion. The chandelier was quite literally above his body as he contorted himself to dodge it. Yes, his physical comedy was unreal, but his delivery as the anxious, rule-following Green had the audience hanging onto every line.
The one-liners in this show were perfection. The characters feel so lived-in by this cast, it is hard to imagine them as mere actors. I believe that Tari Kelly’s Mrs. White (maybe) killed her husbands. Her lines about the “flames” that she sees on the side of her head regarding Yvette, the French maid who had an affair with her husband, was a standout.
I won’t give any of the twists away as the ending of “Clue” is always the best part, but I was left gasping with the audience and giggling at the sheer insanity of it all. For a film as timeless as “Clue,” you could worry that the production wouldn’t live up to it. But Sandy Rustin’s script hits on so many of the film’s beats, you don’t have to worry about missing your favorite parts.
Normally you could not see me venturing into weather this cold, but I do not regret it one bit. “Clue” gave the Bloomington community much-needed laughter and perfectly exemplified what a national tour should be.
