“Clue” – Photos by Zach Rosing. Used with permission.
Fans of farce, crimes novels, mystery, gaming and pop culture characters are guaranteed to revel in all the silliness and zany antics inherent in “Clue,” which closes Indiana Repertory Theatre’s 50th Season. I attended Sunday’s 5 p.m. performance.
“Clue,” written by Sandy Rustin, is adapted from the 1985 black comedy film with screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, based on the board game of the same name. The plot centers on a dinner held in a dreary mansion with a mysterious host who invites a group of strangers, including Mrs. Peacock, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, and others, all of whom become suspects in the murders and mayhem that unfold. It is left up to the stumped audience to figure out who the devious culprit is. To do so, however, requires attention to myriad clues that are revealed throughout the course of the gathering replete with outrageous shenanigans that take place during the requisite dark and stormy night outdoors.
“Clue”- Photos by Zach Rosing. Used with permission.
Adroitly directed by incoming IRT artistic director, Benjamin Hanna, the cast consists of both local and out-of-town actors. They include Ryan Artzberger, Emily Berman, Emjoy Gavino, Devan Mathias, Beethovan Oden, Andrea San Miguel, John Taylor Philips, Eric Sharp, Kerrington Shorter, Claire Wilcher, and Henry Woronicz. All adept at comic timing and executing the broad physical comedy that is the hallmark of this clever mix of genres and styles, the sparkling ensemble operated like a well-oiled machine.
Though all consistent in terms of the quality of their performances and the caliber of their talent, nevertheless, some members of the cast stood out. They included Sharp as the timid yet officious Mr. Green, Wilcher as the fussy churchgoing Senator’s wife, and Devan Mathias who made the most of miniscule parts that included a dour cook, a telegram delivery person with a brief entrance I shall never forget, and a police officer.
The other stars of the show were the designers responsible for production elements that are always superior at IRT, as the premiere professional theatre in Indiana and highly regarded as a prestigious regional theatre as well. The creative team included set designer Czerton Lim, costume designer Izumi Inaba, lighting Jared Gooding, and sound designer Todd Mark Reischman.
“Clue” – Photos by Zach Rosing. Used with permission.
As far as Lim’s ingeniously designed set went, there was a glitch that took place near the end of the play when computer operated doors malfunctioned. Suddenly, the stage manager made an announcement, as the actors exited the stage, that the problem would have to be fixed before the show could go on. Fortunately, the good-natured audience waited patiently, chatting among themselves, for the five to ten minutes it took for the technical problem to be solved and for the performance to resume. This was the first time in my 45 years reviewing that I have ever witnessed such an occurrence. But like my fellow audience members, I took it all in stride, remembering that it was indeed live theatre, which makes it the unique and special art form it is.
Although the technical issue was hardly a negative, and easily forgiven by the audience, it was eclipsed by not only by the sterling entertainment presented but also the overwhelmingly positive aspect of the production which was the inclusiveness of the company. On and off stage, people of color were thoroughly represented. In the wake of needed social change, this diversity, hopefully, will become as commonplace as it should be. Kudos to IRT for its commitment to equality and equity.
For tickets and information about “Clue” which continues through May 20 at Indiana Repertory Theatre, visit irtlive.com.
