The board game version of Clue was first created in 1943 by British board game designer Anthony E. Pratt. The film version was released in 1985. The musical version had tryouts in Baltimore in 1995 and Chicago in 1996 before opening Off-Broadway in 1997. The first productions of this play version were in 2018. And now, in October 2022, it opens at The Mercury Theatre.

Six people are mysteriously summoned to a remote mansion to play a game. It is eventually revealed that they were all blackmailed to attend. It’s not long until someone turns up dead and they have to figure out who is the killer.

This is a hilarious farce full of physical comedy, satire, and movie references. They reference Citizen Kane, Gone with the Wind, and many others. The only change I’d recommend is adding an intermission before they begin to solve the case

The entire cast over acts in a hilarious manner. Mark David Kaplan (Little Shop of Horrors) is outrageous as the butler, especially with his long winded recap towards the end. Tiffany T. Taylor (Spring Awakening) is sweet and funny as the maid. Honey West (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) is very hilarious as the cook and the singing telegram girl. Jonah D. Winston (Avenue Q, Spamalot) is so silly and stupid as Colonel Mustard. He also starred recently in The Play That Goes Wrong which shares a lot in common stylistically with Clue and was just as funny.

McKinley Carter (Spring Awakening, Fun Home) is devilishly good as Mrs. White. Nancy Wagner (Sister Act) is fantastically pompous as Mrs. Peacock. Kelvin Roston, Jr. is surprising as Mr. Green. Andrew Jessop (Mr. Burns) is excellent as Professor Plum. Erica Stephan is very seductive as Miss Scarlet. Finally, Patrick Byrnes and Andrew MacNauhgton are solid in their many roles.

Cost of a ticket: $55 (Middle of the Main Floor)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Worth It

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for Clue through January 1^st!

Quinn Delaney