The upcoming, interactive “Clue: The Musical” invites the audience to play the game of Clue while characters from board-game-fame perform the scenario live. Music, singing, and dancing come together on the Village Players’ stage, May 8-24th, for a possible 216 outcomes and a barrel of fun.
Cluedo, originally named Murder, was developed by a British law clerk named Anthony Pratt during his shift at a factory. He sold Cluedo in 1947 but, after limited success in England, Pratt signed over the royalties. Cluedo was picked up by the Parker Brothers in 1949, renamed Clue, and has since been sold from Brazil to New Zealand. The musical was written in 1993 by Peter Pietro (book) and Tom Chiodo (lyrics) and debuted a year after Pratt’s death.
The Skinny from Skinner
Director, Wes Skinner, has the name of a great detective. As director of Clue, Skinner had to solve his own mystery while hunting for a cast of unusual talent that could also pose as strong suspects. "Several are somewhat typecast either by looks, manners or voice," he said. "Each [character] has to be strong, so as not to be overpowered by the other cast members." Skinner also confessed, "this is my first time playing the game Clue. I have full-size characters and a board." Like the game, the outcome of the show is different each night and the audience is invited to participate in the fun.
"The way the set is built, everything moves, turns or slides. There are 6 suspects, 6 weapons and 6 rooms," Skinner said. “We have a small house and this [musical] is perfect for this theater. The audience is involved and each night will be different."
Seriously funny
"Clue is very colorful, funny and light- even with a murder," said Skinner. "Its about 2-D people in a 2-D world wearing clothing by Crayola."
When asked what else they're getting away with on the Village stage, he replied "sexual innuendos galore. Nothing dirty. Just good, clean fun. We also have singing and dancing in this show, which is different than the other shows in this season… I found the storyline fun and a little left-of-center than shows I usually do."
This is Skinner’s 62nd show. His previous credits at the Village Players include “A Little Night Music”, “Blues in the Night”, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”, and “The Roar of the Greasepaint” (director and/or choreographer). He received a BFA in Dance at the Boston Conservatory and came to Toledo from New York City. His hobbies include restoring houses in the Old West End, the neighborhood he has called “home” since 1971.
May 8-May 23. 8pm Fridays & Saturdays,
as well as Thursday May 21; 2pm on
Sunday May 17. $18/adult, $16/seniors and students. The Village Players, 2740 Upton Ave. 419-472-6817. thevillageplayers.org
