Director's Note by Yulissa Hidalgo
“And give up the opportunity to make a buck? What can be more American than that?!”
Jonathan Lynn’s film and play, Clue, may seem to some to be the quintessential murder mystery, but, as you shall see, it has much broader ambitions than being merely an entertaining whodunnit. Set in the unpredictable and turbulent McCarthy era, this play asks: How do we define patriotism? How does fear weaken morality? What are the characteristics of an ideal American citizen?
Aquel de ustedes que esté libre de pecado, que tire la primera piedra.
He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.
This biblical verse acutely summarizes the complexities of this performance. None of us are free from culpability in a society that encourages individualism and perfectionism. Who among us can judge others when we are all far from being infallible? The basis of Christianity is humility and forgiveness, yet we consistently welcome pride and rage into our lives. How do we rank Colonel Mustard’s ignorance against Mrs. Peacock’s bribes? Are Mr. Plum’s indecencies worse than Mr. Boddy’s greed? Do we forgive Ms. Scarlet more than Mrs. White? Is Wadsworth a villain or a product of capitalism? Like the pieces on the board of the game we played as children, everyone is guilty until the truth unfolds.
Our cast is working tirelessly to show you the humanity of all these fictionalized characters and leave you wondering not solely “whodunnit” but, most notably: “why?”
