Review Roundup: CLUE North American Tour Launches; What Do the Critics Think?

The North American tour of CLUE has officially kicked off, opening in Minneapolis this month. 

The cast of Clue includes Mariah Burks as the Cook, John Treacy Egan as Colonel Mustard, Michelle Elaine as Miss Scarlet, Joanna Glushak as Mrs. Peacock, Tari Kelly as Mrs. White, Mark Price as Wadsworth, John Shartzer as Mr. Green, Jonathan Spivey as Professor Plum, Alex Syiek as Mr. Boddy, Teddy Trice as the Cop, and Elisabeth Yancey as Yvette. The understudies are Greg Balla, Alison Ewing, Mary McNulty and James Taylor Odom.  

Led by Broadway Director Casey Hushion (Associate Director of Mean Girls and The Prom, Associate Resident Director of Aladdin, choreography for the Netflix series “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”), murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they'll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the cult 1985 Paramount movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.  

Check out photos from the Clue tour at /article/Photos-Get-a-First-Look-at-CLUE-North-American-Tour-20240305. Plus, check out the full tour route at /shows/backstage.php?showid=334538.

Read the reviews so far for the North American tour of Clue below!

Jared Fessler, BroadwayWorld: Without divulging spoilers, I can attest that this production of Clue unfolds in a brisk 80 minutes, sans intermission, and is recommended for ages 12 and above. I wholeheartedly recommend catching this captivating rendition of Clue at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis.

Rob Hubbard, TwinCities.com: It feels like that’s what playwright Sandy Rustin and director Casey Hushion were shooting for with “Clue,” a stage comedy built from a board game and a 1985 film fashioned after it. Currently opening a 21-city tour at Minneapolis’ Orpheum Theatre, its key ingredients are pace and outrageousness. And, if you’re in the right mood, you could have some fun with it, for it’s as much of a spoof of the game as it is an homage to it.

Rohan Preston, Star Tribune: As the body count was notching up Wednesday evening at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre, a technical glitch stopped things halfway through the national tour launch of 'Clue,' the old Hasbro board game that was made into a 1985 Paramount film and has now become a theatrical comedy. An art piece that functions as the cover of a safe errantly swung open and stayed that way in the madcap whodunit. The snafu caused a five-minute pause that doubled as an unscheduled intermission for what is ordinarily an 80-minute one-act play that creators have likened to a bullet train.

Kirby Adams, Courier Journal: Based on the screenplay written by Jonathon Lynn for the 1985 film 'Clue,' the Broadway touring production had the audience howling from the first scene to the last during Tuesday's opening night.

Carmella D'Acquisto, Milwaukee Record: There’s no fat to trim here. Director Casey Hushion moves everything along at a steady clip, which is especially impressive in a no-intermission performance. Hushion is also responsible for the strength of the ensemble here—perhaps a difficult line to toe when each individual actor is so stand-out. But ultimately, true to its cardboard-based origins, collaboration is the name of the game in the murder mystery of Clue.

Jarrod Michael, BroadwayWorld: This touring production is well rehearsed and seamlessly executed. The contrast of the stoic nature of the set and the wild comedic ride of the content provides a unique and energetic experience. The elegance of the set was the perfect canvass for outrageous personalities that the audience met along the way. The design allowed for smooth transitions that never left a dead moment.

Kelli Arseneau, Post Crescent: The play also includes nods to the iconic board game throughout. The set design features a large mansion main entrance, with side rooms that rotate out to reveal locations like the parlor, the billiards room and the library. At one point a character holds the characteristic manila envelope labeled 'CONFIDENTIAL,' and at another point, a character holds up a map of the manor that is identical to the original Clue board. After two characters discover a trap door leading to an unexpected room, someone asks, 'Who designed this place?' and the butler quips 'the Parker Brothers.'

Bob Abelman, The Arts Fuse: There’s little genius in the touring Clue as well. But the script is chock full of deliciously groan-worthy one-liners and delightful overembellishments of classic murder mystery tropes. And the stage is filled with superbly performed slapstick.

Jacquinn Sinclair, WBUR: The show's overt schtick bordered on absurdity in the best way (think Steve Martin and John Hoffman’s hit Hulu show “Only Murders in the Building”) and showed up in simulated running scenes throughout the mansion, intentionally unbelievable plastic pools of blood, and a three-minute murder spree. Also, a meat cleaver was brandished in the first few minutes of the play, foreshadowing a monstrously funny and deadly show ahead.

Lynne Menefee, MD Theatre Guide: “Clue” may seem dated in some ways but it is presented as a period piece. Ultimately, it is an evening of old-fashioned, comic mayhem and escapist fun. While the entire cast does an amazing job with the pace and timing, Price (as the butler) and Shartzer (as Mr. Green) steal the show. They are given some of the most physically challenging and hysterical moments in the play, exhibiting the skills of an acrobat. The ending is clever but saying anything more would give too much away. This is a theatrical treat of a murder mystery—short, sweet, and full of laughs.

Ana-Brit Asplen, BroadwayWorld: Through every game and story however, the ending is always the most intriguing part to see how they wrap things up, as there are always so many possibilities. Without spoiling anything, the way the play did the conclusion was satisfying, leaving Clue off on a great note. This in addition to a fantastic cast who knew how to add their own strengths to their roles, a set with surprises in its design, and direction that knew how to transport the story to the stage, Clue is a solid comedy play that will fill anyone’s evening with laughter and joy.

Drew Eberhard, BroadwayWorld: With exquisite Scenic Design by Lee Savage, that will take your eyes and mind on a journey, coupled with beautiful Lighting Design by Ryan O’Gara flowing seamlessly to blend the world of the show together cohesively. Exceptional Costume Design by Jen Caprio and Hair/Wig & Makeup Design by J. Jared Janas gives each character its own distinctive personality amidst the world of the show, and is a thrilling feast for the eyes. Topping it off with an immersive Sound Design from Jeff Human, making your pulse race one moment, and you squeal with laughter the next. Clue: A New Comedy proves to be a technical knockout, and sitting on a level all their own.

Deborah Bostock-Kelley, BroadwayWorld: The talented ensemble cast brings the characters to life with gusto. Each actor shines in their role, leaving no room for dull moments as the performances are top-notch. The chemistry among these actors is electric. Their banter, slapstick moments, and seamless interactions create a cohesive ensemble.

Seth Kubersky, Orlando Weekly: Standouts among the cast include Michelle Elaine’s sassy Miss Scarlet, Tari Kelly's icy Mrs. White, and Mark Prince in the central role of Wadsworth the butler; his buttoned-up energy is more Ian Holm than Tim Curry, but his hyperkinetic accusatory monologue at the climax is a certified show-stopper. Most of all, John Shartzer steals the production with his spastic slapstick as the Gumby-eqsue Mr. Green, whose slow-motion back-bend puts a CGI-assisted Keanu Reeves to shame.

Queen Roseboom, Attractions Magazine: Fans of the classic film will enjoy most of the iconic jokes and gags they expect, plus a few new ones, keeping it nice and fresh. My favorite moments were when the board game pieces and gameplay were referenced, which delightfully happened quite a bit! Additionally, the iconic theme music was a delight to hear in person.

Jill Ripa, BroadwayWorld: The technical aspects of having that first strike happen on the Majestic’s beautiful ceiling was a perfectly jolting start. From there, the technical aspects of the show continued to impress. The set, designed by Lee Savage, was inventive, especially when the actors “ran” down the hallways in stylized comedic fashion as each new room came into place. The towering windows of the mansion added to the ominous murder mystery feel of the show. The detail in each room as it was creatively revealed brought us straight onto the board and into the game. The sound design by Jeff Human, led the show perfectly through its varied moods and paces.

Jay Irwin, BroadwayWorld: This cast of crazies are all just plain fabulous. Each one of them taking those iconic roles and still finding moments to make them their own. I especially need to call out Egan, Glushak, and Shartzer for keeping me giggling all night long. Egan is just an incredible presence, and each little nuanced move was fantastic. Speaking of nuanced moments, keep your eyes on Glushak as she takes little moments for herself and her flask. And then there was Shartzer who apparently has no bones, just a body made of rubber. Seriously some of the best physical comedy I’ve seen. That chandelier moment is worth the price of admission.

Doug Bursch, The Moderate Voice: Anyway, the non-musical Clue is a repeatedly funny, enjoyable play full of plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. It starts a bit slow but picks up traction as the plotline becomes more ridiculous and the comedy becomes less word play and more physical. The ensemble cast is excellent with some standout performances from the actors who had the privilege of playing the more well-written characters in the show.

Cori Graham, Socal Thrills: This performance was fantastic! The entire production is a farcical comedy, with characters running in and out of rooms, and running in place to convey movement. With the characters having such over-the-top personalities, it was important that they be well-cast, and boy were they. The standout performances in terms of comedic timing and physicality were Mark Price (Wadsworth) and John Shartzer (Mr. Green)—each of them had me laughing until I almost cried.

Harker Jones, BroadwayWorld: Filled with puns and pratfalls, mugging and mannerisms, the energy never flags for the show’s brisk 75-minute runtime. Written by Sandy Rustin, based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price, it is broad camp, laugh-out-loud funny, and absolutely joyous. The film is hysterical but experiencing the zaniness in person is a whole different level of lunacy and the audience on opening night was there for it. Clearly there was great love for the film and the enthusiasm was contagious.

Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times: “Clue: Live on Stage?” is a possibility I would never have thought to ask about, but it’s safe to say the target audience for this commercial romp isn’t a theater critic with Shakespeare and Sondheim yearnings. I’m happy to report that the North American tour production of “Clue: Live on Stage!,” which opened on Wednesday at the Ahmanson Theatre, earns its exclamation point through the breathless exuberance of its physical comedy.

Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly: The production is a zippy romp that plays its murders for laughs and leans into the physical comedy of its set-ups with aplomb. Though it does add in some new quips and mildly tweaks the original screenplay, it is largely the same story as the 1985 film, albeit lacking some of the polish and precision of its cinematic predecessor.

Jeffrey Kare, BroadwayWorld: Sandy Rustin’s adaptation remains faithful to Jonathan Lynn’s screenplay, but she does add her own twists to certain aspects. Some of the jokes are carried over from the movie, but there’s also some brand new ones. So what you see on stage isn’t a carbon copy. For those wondering about how this show ends, I won’t give that away other than how it’s done is really clever. Under the direction of Casey Hushion, a former producing artistic director of North Carolina Theatre, she keeps everything moving at such a brisk pace. Lee Savage’s set mainly consists of the hallway of Boddy Manor, but several of the other rooms do make appearances. Everything looks so elegant.

Itai Yasur, BroadwayWorld: If a board game adaption making it all the way to the Kennedy Center feels like too far-fetched of a twist, it really oughtn’t to. Clue feels right at home as theater — it’s possibly the most play-like of board games, with the players casting themselves in one of six roles and then acting out whatever narrative is scripted by the cards.

Linda Hodges, BroadwayWorld: In the hands of this top-notch ensemble cast, CLUE serves up a delightful 1950s-esque cocktail of zany antics, whodunit twists, and uproarious physical comedy. Playing now through November 3 at Broadway San Jose, this madcap comedy unfolds on a dark and stormy night in the Boddy Mansion (perfect for Halloween and fall), where murder and mayhem ensue. Get your tickets now!

Average Rating: 77.2%