Clue: On Stage pays homage to two pop culture phenomena.
The first is the 1985 cult-classic film starring Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, and Christopher Lloyd.
The second is the classic mystery board game that was first produced in 1949.
My vision for staging of the play was to intertwine some of the most iconic elements of both the movie and the game.
The walls used on stage were designed to represent the room spaces from the board game, with each “color” character – Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Mr. Green, and Professor Plum – represented with a wall themed to that character. Stylized by Hannah Summer, the walls feature character-specific color schemes, marbleized game board squares, and giant recreations of the iconic murder weapons.
Oversized dice are also used throughout the show as sitting and design elements to reflect back to the game. Additionally, Rhonda Wilson took on the special project of crafting oversized game pieces, which represent each character, that make appearances throughout the show.
Iconic moments from the film are also recreated.
The main entrance is a recreation of the iconic entranceway to Boddy Manor used in the film. The doors and surrounding woodworking were cut by special order from Souther Signs in Avon Park.
Mike McMillian served as set foreman overseeing the construction of all of these projects.
The play is designed to run with continuing action like a film. Helping accomplish that daunting task is stage manager Steve Hagan and his team of backstage crew members. The demands of continuous action provided ample challenges to lighting designers Roger and Aslan Smith as well.
Costumes, too, are a combination of elements of both the board game and the film and were under the direction of designer Olivia Scott.
The 11-person cast is the one of the most talented I have had the opportunity with which to work. Helping guide them in the process were my talented assistant directors Elise Chaisson and Laura Wade. Filling in wherever needed was production coordinator Suzanne Schilffarth, who kept folks sane and kept the bills paid.
Fans of the board game, the movie, or both will certainly find something to enjoy.
Tom Staik
