'It’s a killer show’
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 months AGO
The Masquers Theater production of “Clue: On Stage” opens tonight. From left, Miss Scarlet (Jessica Stredwick), Mrs. White (Rosalee Chamberlain), Professor Plum (Justin Martin), Mrs. Peacock (Victoria Drake) and Mr. Green (Blane Schafer) lined up against the wall with dinner glasses to hear what schemes Wadsworth (Rebecca Grommesh) was planning.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
“Clue: On Stage: will be hitting the Masquers Theater Feb. 7 until Feb. 23. Colonel Mustard (Dave Stearns) left, and Professor Plum (Justin Martin) hold the dead body of the cook while talking with Wadsworth (Rebecca Grommesh).
Mrs. White (Rosalee Chamberlain) opens a gift from Mr. Boddy (Adam Zaleski) containing a noose made from rope. Soon after, Mr. Boddy is found dead and the party guests must figure out who did it, where, and with what weapon.
Miss Scarlet (Jessica Stredwick) left, and Professor Plum (Justin Martin) right enter the party together. The guests don’t know it, but this isn’t your normal party – blackmail, murder and tomfoolery arise throughout the show.
Mr. Boddy (Adam Zaleski) schmoozed his guests after Wadsworth (Rebecca Grommesh) exposed their darkest secrets – political bribery, homosexuality and husband murder are just a few. Go to a showing of Clue on Stage playing Friday-Sunday until Feb. 23 to learn the rest.
Wadsworth (Rebecca Grommesh) is the butler helping the party guests discover clues; however, guests cannot decide whether he is trustworthy or not.
Mrs. Peacock (Victoria Drake) left yells at Professor Plum (Justin Martin) right after it is exposed, he lost his licensing to be a doctor after he had inappropriate relations with patients. Soon after, Wadsworth (Rebecca Grommesh) exposes Mrs. Peacock for her crimes.
Party guests eat dinner before chaos arises in “Clue: On Stage.” From left to right: Colonel Mustard (Dave Stearns), Miss Scarlet (Jessica Stredwick), Yvette (Kristina Allman), Mr. Green (Blane Schafer), Mrs. Peacock (Victoria Drake), Cook (Virginia Berry-Stearns), Mrs. White (Rosalee Chamberlain), Wadsworth (Rebecca Grommesh) and Professor Plum (Justin Martin).
Professor Plum (Justin Martin), left, carries Mr. Boddy’s body to the couch while Mr. Green (Blane Schafer) and Yvette (Kristina Allman) move the cook's body to the couch. The group was hoping to make the two dead bodies less suspicious.
Mrs. Peacock (Victoria Drake) sobs uncontrollably after she takes a drink of liquor, which she later discovered could have been poisoned.
Miss Scarlet (Jessica Stredwick) chats with other party guests.
SOAP LAKE — Prepare to don your detective hats and gather your wits, because the Masquers Theater is about to unravel a mystery that promises both laughter and intrigue.
“It’s a killer show,” said Justin Martin, who portrays Professor Plum.
His castmates urged caution as well.
“I would say bring a tool for their own self-preservation, like a wrench, lead pipe, but no daggers or guns. We have to draw the line somewhere and those are for us to use on stage,” said Dave Stearns, who is playing Colonel Mustard.
Based on the board game and the 1985 Paramount movie, "Clue: On Stage" is a whodunit that invites the audience into a mansion filled with zany characters and plot twists.
"It’s a murder mystery where the six guests get invited to the mansion and have to figure out who murdered Mr. Boddy," said first-time director Mistya Zaleski.
As any fan of the original game knows, players must deduce not only who committed the crime but also the weapon used and the location.
Was it Mr. Green in the study with the lead pipe? Or was it Mrs. Peacock in the kitchen with the dagger? Or maybe it was Professor Plum in the hall with the revolver?
“People will have to come to the show to know how it all plays out,” Zaleski said. “In comparison to the game, it really matches up at the end."
For the uninitiated, here’s what you can expect: a night of over-the-top performances, slapstick comedy and piecing together clues as the plot unfolds.
Zaleski said that if you enjoy murder mysteries and want to experience some good old-fashioned humor, "You’ll have a great time.”
In preparation for opening night, Zaleski said she couldn’t be more excited about her cast.
“I could not ask for a better cast as a first-time director,” she said.
Each cast member portrays a character reminiscent of the roles from both the game and the 1985 film. Fans of the film will appreciate the adaptations that have brought some new flair to the original play.
“There are a couple of jokes from the original movie that I do wish they had kept,” Zaleski said. “But overall, I think the stage adaption stays true to its roots.”
The motif of a fancy mansion filled with surprises makes for a fitting canvas for the comedy that ensues. Of course, it wouldn’t be a comedic whodunit without a few hurdles along the way.
“Besides a couple of hiccups here and there and having to fix my set multiple times, it’s going really, really well,” Zaleski said.
Indeed, with elaborate set pieces consisting of “just hinges and wheels,” the production has embraced some elements of the absurd.
“We do have prop guns that make noise,” said Zaleski, adding that the show is ideally suited for ages 10 and up. The jokes may be risqué, but they’re all in light-hearted fun, she said.
As the curtain rises, the energy in the room is palpable, Zaleski said.
“It starts out pretty calm, and then it kind of gets crazier and crazier and more cartoonish and outlandish as you go on,” she said, describing the show’s rhythm.
With an extra dose of excitement waiting for the audience immediately after intermission, the second act promises to be a whirlwind of hilarity, Zaleski said.
“Come and watch the show; you’ll have a great time,” she said.
“Clue: On Stage”
Feb. 7 to Feb. 23
Friday’s 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays 2 p.m.
General Admission: $16
Senior/Student: $12
Children under 11: $10
Masquers.com/clue
“Clue: On Stage: will be hitting the Masquers Theater Feb. 7 until Feb. 23. Colonel Mustard (Dave Stearns) left, and Professor Plum (Justin Martin), right hold the dead body of the cook while talking with Wadsworth (Rebecca Grommesh).
Mrs. White (Rosalee Chamberlain) opens a gift from Mr. Boddy (Adam Zaleski) containing a noose made from rope. Soon after, Mr. Boddy is found dead and the party guests must figure out who did it, where, and with what weapon.
Miss Scarlet (Jessica Stredwick) left, and Professor Plum (Justin Martin) right, enter the party together. The guests don’t know it, but this isn’t your normal party – blackmail, murder and tomfoolery arise throughout the show.
Mr. Boddy (Adam Zaleski) schmoozed his guests after Wadsworth (Rebecca Grommesh) exposed their darkest secrets – political bribery, homosexuality and husband murder are just a few. Go to a showing of Clue on Stage playing Friday-Sunday until Feb. 23 to learn the rest.
Wadsworth (Rebecca Grommesh) is the butler helping the party guests discover clues; however, guests cannot decide whether he is trustworthy or not.
Mrs. Peacock (Victoria Drake) left yells at Professor Plum (Justin Martin) right after it is exposed, he lost his licensing to be a doctor after he had inappropriate relations with patients. Soon after, Wadsworth (Rebecca Grommesh) exposes Mrs. Peacock for her crimes.
Party guests eat dinner before chaos arises in “Clue: On Stage.” From left to right: Colonel Mustard (Dave Stearns), Miss Scarlet (Jessica Stredwick), Yvette (Kristina Allman), Mr. Green (Blane Schafer), Mrs. Peacock (Victoria Drake), Cook (Virginia Berry-Stearns), Mrs. White (Rosalee Chamberlain), Wadsworth (Rebecca Grommesh) and Professor Plum (Justin Martin).
Professor Plum (Justin Martin), left, carries Mr. Boddy’s body to the couch while Mr. Green (Blane Schafer) and Yvette (Kristina Allman) move the cook's body to the couch. The group was hoping to make the two dead bodies less suspicious.
Mrs. Peacock (Victoria Drake) sobs uncontrollably after she takes a drink of liquor, which she later discovered could have been poisoned.
Miss Scarlet (Jessica Stredwick) chats with other party guests.ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
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