‘Clue’ is a wild and wacky ride

It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen a professional-level theater production; the last time was probably the musical “Jagged Little Pill” at the Wharton Center in early 2023. However, the national tour of “Clue” at Wharton reeled me back in and reminded me how spectacular high-budget theater can be.

The show starts off a bit slow, introducing the main characters — Wadsworth the butler (Adam Brett), the stoic Mrs. White (Sarah Mackenzie Baron), the lascivious Miss Scarlet (Camille Capers), the pompous Col. Mustard (Nate Curlott), the nervous Mr. Green (TJ Lamando), the loud and eccentric Mrs. Peacock (Madeline Raube) and the intellectual Professor Plum (Kyle Yampiro) — and setting the stage for the mystery to follow. The six guests have assembled at Boddy Manor on a dark and stormy night, all hoping to find out who has been blackmailing them and put an end to it. Everything goes downhill when Mr. Boddy shows up, the lights go out, and he winds up dead — or does he? Twists, turns and capers ensue as the cast works to solve the murder, the bodies piling up along the way. 

The highlight of the show, for me, is the set, an old and spooky mansion with several moving rooms that really bring the classic game board to life. From the effortless set changes to the immersive effects, including several trapdoors, lightning and thunder, blackouts and a tasteful amount of fake blood, everything is on point.

While the show may sound a bit spooky, it’s no doubt a comedy, with enough physical humor and one-liners to keep the laughs rolling. There are meta references to the game and 1985 film, hallway gags, dance sequences, freakouts, meltdowns, “Weekend at Bernie’s”-esque human puppetry and countless other bits.

It’s hard not to be captivated by Brett, who has several scene-stealing monologues that require a substantial amount of physicality. Like the cast of “Saturday Night Live” in the ‘90s, he has energy for days. The rest of the cast is phenomenal as well, each having their own breakout moments, like Raube’s outbursts of bird-like jabbering, Capers’ in-your-face sensuality, Baron’s break from her usual deathly calm state when speaking about someone she absolutely despises and each actor’s manic hysteria when it’s their turn to name a culprit (“it was x in the x with the x”).

The supporting actors are fabulous as well. I especially enjoyed Zoie Tannous’ over-the-top portrayal of a flirty French maid and AT Sanders’ brief but memorable cameo as a singing telegram delivery person.

At a tight 90-ish minutes with no intermission, this show exemplifies the phrase “time flies when you’re having fun.” When the climax arrived, I couldn’t believe we were nearing the end already. Whether you’re familiar with the board game and movie or you’re like me, who was more of a Monopoly kid, “Clue” will knock your socks off.