On a dark and stormy night, Beef&Boards opened its 50th anniversary season with high energy and manic humor. Clue, the stage play invites us into a deserted New England mansion. It’s 1954 when the world and US politics are at a tipping point. The Butler, The Maid, and The Cook await the arrival of six guests who have received letters of invitation from an anonymous host. Within the confines of The Hallway, we are introduced to the three men and three women by assigned aliases. Each, in succession, is sent to adjoining rooms through a series of interlacing doors, and when all have arrived, they [and we] are quickly ushered into The Dining Room. Mystery magnifies, unease sucks in the air, and small talk turns sinister.
The storm magnifies. The unknown host arrives. We’ve all been blackmailed for our past indiscretions [alas, the horrible 1950s]. There’s no way out but upon the foul-play bidding of Mr. Boddy. The dastardly game’s afoot in a laden atmosphere where everything seems afoul.
Clue surfaced as a board game 75 years ago, was released as a film on December 13, 1985, and, starting in 1990, parlor game murder as a family activity morphed into a franchise, including various television game shows worldwide, books, video games, a film, a television series, and a stage play followed by a musical, that I have yet to encounter.
Inhabiting the Beef&Boards stage for 42 performances through February 5, 2023, we’re into more than sit-back-and-relax because mayhem requires close attention to details that are dropping alongside bodies. The cast is at top speed with non-stop physical energy, pratfalls, deadpan humor, and manic line delivery. Come to experience the superb ensemble artistry delivered by David Schmittou as the butler Wadsworth, Sally Scharbrough as the maid Yvette, and as the guests: Scot Greenwell as Mr. Green, Cara Statham Serber as Mrs. White, Suzanne Stark as Mrs. Peacock, Jeff Stockberger as Colonel Mustard, John Vessels as Professor Plum, and Deb Wims as Miss Scarlet.
The ensemble, taking on supporting roles and also covering for the lead characters, are Ben Asaykwee, Hannah Elizabeth (Boswell), Carrie S. Neal, and Tristan Ross.
B&B veteran Eddie Curry, assisted by David Buergler, directs for cutting-edge speed. Kevin Casey is making his B&B stage manager debut. Sally Scharbrough’s choreography earns a standing ovation; Kathy Henry’s costume design meticulously glyphs the film [which, for some reason, belies the colors from the board game—but, who am I to quibble.] Bill Mollencupp oversees all technical aspects, including the sterling scenic and projection design by Michael Layton, sound design by Daniel Hasselbrock, lighting by Ryan Koharchik, and video programming by Zach Rosing. Hooray for all members of the stage crew; never missing a cue.
Based on the Paramount Pictures Motion Picture by Jonathan Lynn, this stage play is by Sandy Rustin, with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. The original music is by Michael Holland.
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is at 9301 Michigan Road, 46268; for information and tickets, visit: beefandboards.com.
The 50th anniversary season continues with Footloose the Musical, An American in Paris, Beauty and the Beast [as the family show], Sophisticated Ladies, Grumpy Old Men the musical, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Post a comment as Guest
Report
Watch this discussion.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.