A few weeks ago, I attended a performance of Clue on Stage at the Bucks County Playhouse in beautiful New Hope, PA. The show ran there May 2 – 20, 2017. This production marked the world premiere of the show.
When I was younger, I was a huge fan of the board game, Clue, and used to play it regularly. Then in 1985 it was made into a movie. Sorry, I must admit I never got to see it. However, the play is based on the movie’s screenplay written by Jonathan Lynn. Additional materials are by Eric Price and Hunter Foster. Foster also is the director of Clue on Stage. According to an October 16 article in Variety, the play is not currently aimed for Broadway, instead it was, “Developed with an eye toward the theatrical licensing market for regional and amateur troupes clamoring for a stage version of the property.” This will be a very good show for those groups and audiences will enjoy seeing it performed.
Here’s how it is billed: “On a dark and stormy night, six unique guests, plus a butler and a maid, assemble for a dinner party at the home of Mr. Boddy. When their host turns up dead, it is clear that no one is safe! Soon the guests are racing to find the killer and keep the body count from stacking up. Clue is the comedy whodunit that will keep you guessing (and laughing) to the very end.”
Clue on Stage is a funny and enjoyable show to see. There is a good amount of humor that is included in it which works well with the whodunit format. The humor is nothing deep, just basic jokes and sayings that give quick laughs. The action moves quickly and incorporates some good staging with the movement in and out of the mansion rooms.
Solving the mystery is one thing but getting to see the characters is what really makes Clue on Stage a fun show. All the characters have something questionable in their background which allows anyone to be a suspect. For example, Sally Struthers, well known for her television work as the character Gloria on All in the Family, played Mrs. Evergreen. Her fleeting remarks were very funny to hear and seeing her costume alone is good fun. But some of her pre-gathering actions make her rather suspicious – hmm…
It’s good fun to watch and the 90 minutes moves to a swift and maybe surprising conclusion.
The Bucks County Playhouse is a very comfortable and well built venue. I very impressed with the courtesy of everyone who worked there. They made the visit a pleasure.
New Hope is a gorgeous town to visit and walk around in. Unfortunately, the temperature was nearing the 100 mark the day my companion and I went to the show. Because of the heat, I used the valet parking at the theater which was a little steep in price ($20). However, the valet who was on duty was so nice and the fee did include the entire day that I ended up fine with it. But there is also parking available in town and an app that is used in New Hope to pay for it.
Afterwards
Photo used from Logan Inn’s Facebook page.
After the show, we wanted to chat and share a bite to eat. A few steps to right and across the street was the Logan Inn. Although they provide porch seating, the heat caused us to want to dine inside. This was a good move since the seating was in an enclosed air-conditioned porch. The menu at the Logan Inn has nice variety in their selections. Although it was nearing 3:45, they were willing to still serve us lunch which we greatly appreciated. We both ordered Turkey Pannini sandwiches which were filling enough to provide the makings of a small doggy bag at the end of the meal. The service was excellent. I would highly recommend trying Logan Inn, 10 West Ferry Street, the next time you are in New Hope.