Who killed Mr. Boddy? And where? With what? These questions—and plenty of laughs—filled the air on opening night of CLUE: A New Comedy at the Orpheum Theater. Drawing on the cult-classic 1985 film and the beloved Hasbro board game, the stage adaptation takes familiar characters and tropes and breathes fresh life into them, delivering a show that’s equal parts slapstick, suspense, and sheer hilarity.
Six eccentric dinner guests—Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. Peacock, and Mr. Green—find themselves at the center of a dramatic murder mystery. With their host, Mr. Boddy (Alex Syiek), suddenly dead, the frantic and farcical hunt begins to figure out whodunit before the culprit strikes again.
At the heart of the chaos is Wadsworth, the butler (Jeff Skowron), who commands the stage with an energy that’s both magnetic and manic. Skowron expertly navigates the rapid-fire dialogue and over-the-top physical comedy, keeping the audience laughing and hanging on his every word. He’s the glue that holds this chaotic crew together—even as he gleefully propels the madness forward.
The rest of the cast shines in their respective roles, each leaning into the quirks and absurdities of their characters. John Treacy Egan’s Colonel Mustard is wonderfully clueless, delivering his lines with an air of unwarranted confidence that’s utterly endearing. Tari Kelly’s Mrs. White is a masterclass in deadpan humor, her dark one-liners landing every time. Joanna Glushak as Mrs. Peacock embraces the character’s dramatic flair with gusto, while Christina Anthony brings sly charm and sharp wit to the sultry Miss Scarlet.
Jonathan Spivey’s Professor Plum is delightfully awkward, and John Shartzer’s Mr. Green perfectly balances nervous energy with well-timed punchlines. Supporting cast members, including Elisabeth Yancey as the French-accented Yvette and Mariah Burks as the gruff Cook (among other roles), add even more layers of humor. Teddy Trice, portraying a bumbling cop and other characters, delivers memorable moments of slapstick comedy.
The stage adaptation doesn’t just mimic the movie; it adds clever twists and unmatched wisecracks. The production’s physical comedy is a highlight—doors slam, bodies fall, and characters dash frantically through secret passages. The humor is broad and accessible, yet clever enough to keep the audience engaged.
The set design deserves its own round of applause. The intricate and ever-changing Boddy Manor feels like a character itself, with revolving rooms, hidden compartments, and props that add to the absurdity. Each transition is seamless, thanks to a design that’s as functional as it is visually striking.
As the murder mystery unfolds, the cast keeps the audience guessing, dropping plenty of red herrings alongside callbacks to the original movie and board game. From iconic lines to nods at the game’s colorful weapons, fans will delight in the clever references. Opening night proved that the show’s balanced mix of nostalgia, outrageous comedy, and impressive performances is a recipe for success.
And who killed Mr. Boddy? You’ll have to see for yourself.
“CLUE: A New Comedy” runs now through Jan. 12, 2025, at the Orpheum Theater. To purchase tickets, visit https://ticketomaha.com/Productions/clue.
