Familiar murder accusations fly at the Allen Theatre Jan. 25-Feb. 23. Was it Mrs. Peacock in the library with a rope? Was it Professor Plum in the ballroom with a wrench?
With its production of the nationally touring Clue, Cleveland Play House presents a snappy whodunit based on the beloved board game and the 1985 cult classic film it inspired. But the play adaptation presents twists all its own.
“I wanted to pull from the things that people most enjoy about [the film] and most relate to and make them a part of the play,” says director Casey Hushion, “but then make sure that we’re doing something fresh and original that’s still full of surprise.”
Written by acclaimed comic playwright, Sandy Rustin, the mystery follows the six usual suspects — Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Col. Mustard and Mr. Green — who’ve all been invited to a dinner party at the elegantly menacing Boddy Manor. Once a murder occurs, the play becomes a delicious guessing game.
“There are elements of truth and murder and blackmail,” Hushion says. “The night continues to unfold, and all the characters are revealed to be different than what you might have imagined at the beginning of the play.”
With a script full of comic wordplay, carefully crafted dialogue and clever special effects, Hushion says guests should be prepared for an
evening packed with surprise.
“Without tipping our hand too much, the film is known for the fact that it has multiple endings,” she says. “I won’t give it away, but I will say that the play features a twist on those infamous endings.”
