From plastic pieces to singing suspects

Even if I wanted to, I couldn't possibly spoil the ending of "Clue: The Musical" directed by Claire-Marine Sarner '10, running this weekend in the Frist Film and Performance Theatre. The whodunit revealed at the dress rehearsal I attended on Wednesday will be different Thursday and something entirely new Friday. There are six props corresponding to the potential murder weapons, six distinct sets corresponding to the potential murder locations and six color-coded actors, corresponding to the board game's aptly named suspects: Mr. Green (Marshall Everett '11), Mrs. Peacock (Irene Moskowitz '09), Miss Scarlet (Karen Campion '11), Colonel Mustard (Willie Myers '11), Professor Plum (PJ Miller '10) and Mrs. White (Caroline Loevner '08). If we do the math, that leaves us with 216 possible combinations of prop, set and actor to be exposed in the last scene.

Mr. Boddy (Andy Linz '11), our unfortunate victim-to-be, begins the show by introducing the motley cast of characters and asking three audience members to each select an oversized clue card to be placed in an oversized "Confidential" envelope. This seems to be the extent of the audience-participation element of the production, though Mr. Boddy continues to speak to us directly, referring to the production as a "game" to be won. Clues cannot really be revealed through the action, since the ending could be any of 216, so the plot is rather dull and uneventful, and the first half of the play is spent revealing the cliched murder motives of each colorful suspect: sex, money, jealousy, etc. Mr. Boddy delivers the only clues that might lead the audience to whodunit, when he periodically makes suggestive hints (in rhyme, of course).

When Mr. Boddy is finally murdered, he takes it quite well, continuing to narrate right up until the big revelation. Post-corpse, the play consists mostly of the somewhat inept investigation of a lady detective in a trench coat and patent-leather heels (Courtney Toombs '09). The detective is the only character not included in the board game version, and the other characters are quick to point this out to her. "You're not in the game!" one of the suspects complains. "She must be a misplaced piece from ‘Sorry,' " chides another, referring to another Hasbro game.

Acting isn't really necessary with a script this over the top, but the players do a good job anyhow, exaggerating their characters' idiosyncrasies to match the absurdity of the show's premise. "You guys are acting like pieces in a board game!" the detective says ironically. Each scene is punctuated by a slightly painful musical interlude and some well-delivered humor.

The technical aspects of the play were unfinished at the dress rehearsal Wednesday evening, but the lighting, designed by Laura Huchel '10, seemed reasonable, and the pit orchestra was a wonderful addition. Musical direction is by Andrea Grody '11. The play is based on the book by Peter dePietro, featuring lyrics by Tom Chiodo and music by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker and Vinnie Martucci.

"Clue: The Musical" ran on Broadway for a little less than a month in 1997. In the New York Times review that portended the show's doom, theater critic Anita Gates praised every aspect of the show but was unable to get past the campy premise: "There may be some people who appreciate this sort of thing in an evening at the theater," she wrote, adding that these people "probably also frequent medieval-theme restaurants and consider bus tours adventure travel."

The play is unquestionably a novelty, not a masterpiece of musical theater. But the set is whimsical, the premise rather amusing, and I found myself smiling a great deal of the time. "Clue: The Musical" is a great way to spend 90 minutes if you're looking for something to do this weekend. You will certainly be entertained.

"Clue: The Musical" plays this weekend at 8 p.m., April 17-19 at the Frist Film and Performance Theatre. Tickets are $8 for students, $10 for faculty, staff and senior citizens, and $12 for general admission. They are available online through University ticketing or by calling (609) 258-1742.