Syracuse Stage Closing Season With Performance of the Ultimate Whodunnit, 'CLUE'
Syracuse Stage Artistic Director Robert Hupp and Managing Director Jill Anderson announced they will close the 2022/2023 season with a production that celebrates the pure joy and simple fun of live theatre, the fan favorite and ultimate whodunnit, “CLUE.” The production runs June 7 through June 25 at Syracuse Stage in the Archbold Theatre.
Based on the iconic 1985 film—which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game—”CLUE” is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. In a remote mansion not far away from Washington D.C., six mysterious (and colorful) guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu.
When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects—does the sudden demise of Mr. Boddy have any connection to the ongoing hearings conducted by Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee? As the body count rises, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Colonel Mustard and Wadsworth, the butler, race to find the killer. “CLUE” is a comedy filled with twists and turns that will leave both diehard fans and newcomers in stitches as they try to figure out who did it, where they did it and with what.
“We’re thrilled to conclude our current season with this popular production of ‘CLUE,’” Hupp says. “As a board game and later as a movie, ‘CLUE’ has been part of our cultural landscape for decades. Now we can dive into the fun of seeing those iconic characters come to life on stage. ‘CLUE’ is just a great, fun night of theatre for everyone to enjoy. We opened ‘CLUE’ a few weeks ago in Indianapolis, so I’ve had the opportunity to see this production. Believe me, this cast kills it. This kind of pure entertainment is something we all need today and a delightful finale to our 49th season.”
The cast creating all this fun-filled chaos onstage are Ryan Artzberger (Mr. Boddy, Motorist, Chief of Police), Emily Berman (Miss Scarlet), Emjoy Gavino (Mrs. White), Devan Mathias (Cook, Telegram, Backup Cop), Beethovan Oden (Professor Plum), Andrea San Miguel (Yvette), John Taylor Philips (Wadsworth), Eric Sharp (Mr. Green), Kerrington Shorter (Unexpected Cop, Backup Cop), Claire Wilcher (Mrs. Peacock), and Henry Woronicz (Colonel Mustard).
“’CLUE’ is truly a multigenerational phenomenon,” says director Benjamin Hanna, who was recently named artistic director at Indiana Repertory Theatre. “The stage version of ‘CLUE’ is a delightful mashup of genres and styles. It combines our love of crime novels, mystery, farce and gaming, all while celebrating some favorite pop-culture characters. This adaptation is a blend of iconic film moments and the board game, creating a beautiful playground for our magnificent cast to contribute their own comedic genius.”
‘CLUE’ is based on the Paramount movie and classic board game of the same name. It contains mild profanity and adult themes and will be best enjoyed by patrons 12 years and older. All evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. while all matinee performances begin at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $30 with discounts available for students and groups. Tickets can be purchased by visiting SyracuseStage.org, by calling 315.443.3275 or by visiting the Syracuse Stage Box Office at 820 E. Genesee St.
Pay-what-you-will performances are June 7-11 inclusive; Prologue conversations, three pre-show discussions that take place one hour before curtain time on June 11, June 17 and June 22; the post-show Sunday discussion will take place on June 18 after the 7:30 p.m. performance. Syracuse Stage has its open-captioned performances scheduled for June 14 and June 25 at 2 p.m., as well as an audio-described performance on Saturday, June 24 at 2 p.m.
A special sensory-friendly and open-captioned performance is scheduled for June 24 at 7:30 p.m. The sensory-friendly performance provides a welcoming environment that lets all patrons express themselves freely without judgement or inhibition. This live theatre experience invites autistic individuals, as well as those living with ADHD, dementia, and other sensory sensitivities, to enjoy a performance in a “shush-free” zone. House lights will be dimmed, but not turned out completely, patrons may move about as necessary for their comfort and patrons will not be discouraged from vocalizing during the performance. Fidget toys and other materials will be provided for patrons. All tickets to the sensory-friendly performance are $30 and include a 100% refund right up to the start of the show.
