CCTC/HJT’s ‘Clue’ A Madcap, Pun-Filled Show

by Amy Tagliaferri
Wadsworth (Stevie Carter), Professor Plum (Sam Sewell), Yvette (Sage Barnes), Mr. Green (Halley Steinmetz) and Mrs. White (Rachel Walman). Wadsworth (Stevie Carter), Professor Plum (Sam Sewell), Yvette (Sage Barnes), Mr. Green (Halley Steinmetz) and Mrs. White (Rachel Walman).

“I had no ‘clue’ I would have so much fun!” exclaimed my theater companion.  And she was right.  The Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre’s production of “Clue” is fun and hilarious. 
In the play adapted from the movie, the characters of the board game (Professor Plum, Mrs. Peacock, Colonel Mustard, etc.) are invited to Boddy Manor and told to adopt those pseudonyms, only to discover they are each being blackmailed by the owner of the manor, Mr. Boddy. The “game” gets even more interesting when each is gifted with a weapon. 
The premise to base a movie/play off a board game was the brainchild of Paramount Pictures. The play is written by Sandy Rustin with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. The writing and staging are hilarious, filled with silly puns, madcap antics and silly slapstick. 
The CCTC/HJT cast is amazing. They handle all the twists and turns with aplomb all under the deft co-direction of Brian Lore Evans and the theater’s artistic director Jenn Pina. Stevie Carter as Wadsworth the butler is stellar in the linchpin role. One of his monologues brought spontaneous applause from the opening night audience. Sage Barnes is delightful as Yvette, the French maid. With outstanding costumes by Cat Perry, each character is easily identified and each actor brings the proper savoir faire to their role: Miss Scarlett (Ameila Burbine) is sexy but cynical; Mrs. White (Rachel Walman) is uptight and proper yet may have murdered a husband or two; Mrs. Peacock (Tammy Harper) titters constantly and often gets a bit hysterical; Colonel Mustard (Nick Romano) is pompous and loud; Professor Plum (Sam Sewell) is a lascivious, brainy type; and Mr. Green (Halley Steinmetz) is timid and clumsy. The entire group is spot-on. 
The rest of the ensemble plays Mr. Boddy, the police chef, a motorist (Xevi Pina Parker), the cook and a singing telegram girl (Ray Christakia) and an “unexpected cop” (Jon Cornet). Bob Wilder as the musician is displayed throughout the play in a picture frame.
The action is frenetic and fun. The group of these game-pieces-come-to-life comically move as one more than once from room to room. The set design is ingenious. Credit goes to James P. Byrne for that, with lighting design by Matt Kohler and sound design by Fionn Pina Parker. Behind the scenes keeping up with all the exits and entrances are Laura Froeschner and Kohler on the lightboard, Aiden Langhorne on the soundboard and Shea Eldredge as the backstage crew (who deservedly takes a bow with the troupe!). 
The play is about an hour and a half or more including laughter breaks. Just what the doctor ordered for Halloween: a comical murder mystery! 
DETAILS: 
“Clue”
At Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre, Division Street, West Harwich.
Through Nov. 9, Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. No Show on Friday, Oct. 31
Information and reservations: 508-432-2002, capecodtheatrecompany.org