Board game? Cult movie? The stage production of “Clue” ticks both of those boxes on the checklist for pop-culture cachet. Blending our appetite for unfolding murder mysteries with enigmatic characters and myriad weapons of choice has made “Clue” a phenomenon. And now, like the game and movie, “Clue” comes to the Lake Worth Playhouse in its full interactive glory.
Whether introduced via a raucous game night around the classic Hasbro board or a screening of Jonathan Lynn’s 1985 cult classic, the appeal of “Clue” relies on wackiness and player-driven hijinks. But does it translate to stage? The implausible journey of this brand from board game to movie in an age when that wasn’t a thing — and done way better than many of the numerous game-to-film vehicles that followed when it became a thing — is as crazy as Wadsworth leading Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, Professor Plum and Miss Scarlet through the country estate.
For their 71st season, the Lake Worth Playhouse thematically echoes last year’s production of “Dial M for Murder” with this new stage production The New York Times calls “a very fun, very silly 1950s-set whodunit that strikes some contemporary parallels on the way to its grand reveal.”
Based on Lynn’s screenplay and written by Sandy Rustin (“Elijah,” “The Cottage”), with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price, and original music by Michael Holland, expect Rustin’s punchy comedic skills to shine through. And that’s a good thing because this production has a life of its own beyond the game and movie. Think “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and its consequent fandom. It’s no wonder that the infinitely charismatic Tim Curry has had a hand in both.
Will it be Miss Scarlet armed with a candlestick in the study, or Professor Plum with a lead pipe in the kitchen, Colonel Mustard with a rope in the hall, or even Mrs. Peacock with a shiny wrench in the conservatory? No matter who, “Clue” promises a night of mystery, mayhem and mirthful misunderstandings.
“Clue” opens at 8pm on Friday, March 1 and runs through March 10 at the Lake Worth Playhouse in Lake Worth. lakeworthplayhouse.org ~ Abel Folgar
