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Regional Reviews: Phoenix Clue: The Musical Also see Gil's review of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
The plot revolves around the familiar characters from the game–Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, Professor Plum, and Mrs. White–each a suspect in the murder of Mr. Boddy. The twist is that the audience determines the outcome, with three audience members selecting cards at the beginning of the show that at the conclusion will reveal the killer, the weapon, and the room where the murder occurred. This interactive element ties into how the board game is played, where three similar cards are chosen before the game begins and it also adds a fun layer of intrigue and excitement, keeping the audience engaged throughout the performance as they try to solve the mystery before the finale. The lights on the tables in the audience are turned on every time Mr. Boddy, who serves as the show's narrator, has a clue to deliver and there are scoring sheets similar to the ones in the board game and tiny pencils on each table to jot down your thoughts and the clues to narrow down the suspects. The fact that the audience chooses the ending also keeps the cast on their toes since they have to be prepared for any one of the possible 216 outcomes. The characters are brought to life with larger-than-life performances that capture the essence of their board game counterparts. Colonel Mustard (Rob Watson) is hilariously blustery and pompous, while Mrs. Peacock (Kimberly Abrams) is the secretive socialite who has been widowed multiple times. The seductive and sexy Miss Scarlet (Sade Crosby) exudes charm and cunning, and Mr. Green (Dwight Robinette) is sly, slick, and secretive. Professor Plum (Scoob Decker) is educated and has a wry sense of humor and Mrs. White (Tyler Gallaher) is Boddy's fun-loving cook who has a suspicious demeanor. All have motives for murdering the charismatic and cunning Mr. Boddy (Collin O'Neill). There is also the hard-nosed but humorous Detective (Cara Chumbley) who shows up in the second act to interrogate the suspects and a small ensemble, Alyssa Armstrong, Tony Blosser, Christopher Andrew. The cast is a highlight of the production, delivering energetic performances that elevate the material, even when Peter DePietro's book leans too heavily on campy humor. The book and score (music by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker, and Vinnie Martucci with lyrics by Tom Chiodo) don't leave much of a lasting impression as the melodies are mostly forgettable and the lyrics, though occasionally clever, often feel forced and lack the wit needed to match the show's zany premise. There are a few very funny lines, like when the Detective asks the suspects who are all dressed in costumes that colorfully match their character's name, "Who did your wardrobe–Crayola?" However, there are also many lines that fall flat and there isn't much spontaneity to the score, assumedly written to be vague enough so it ties into the conclusion no matter which outcome was chosen by the audience. The clues Mr. Boddy gives the audience are also often confusing rhymes and since there is also a recent play of Clue that's frequently been produced over the last few years, it's possible that some audience members may think the musical is an adaptation of the campy 1985 film comedy like the play is. Ken Urso's direction elevates the zaniness in the script and Douglas Clarke's set design is wonderful, with changing backgrounds that tie into the colors of the character's names, a cutout silhouette of Boddy mansion that frames the stage, and squares on the floor similar to the squares on the gameboard the characters use to get from room to room. The rich costumes by Morgan Andersen use a range of hues and various fabrics to highlight the characters, and Casey Price's lighting helps to set the range of moods in the show. Lizzie Webb's music direction derives clear vocals from the cast, and the three-piece band sounds quite full. While Clue may not be a great musical, Arizona Broadway Theatre's production has a fun cast and rich creative elements and it keeps audiences guessing throughout as to the identity of the killer, the murder weapon, and the room in which the murder took place. Clue: The Musical runs through September 22, 2024, at Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 West Paradise Lane, Peoria AZ. For tickets and information, please visit www.azbroadway.org or call 623-776-8400. Book by Peter DePietro Cast: |
