Meadow Brook Theatre brings ‘Clue’ to life

Photo courtesy of Meadow Brook Theatre on Facebook

“Clue: On Stage” is being shown at Meadow Brook Theatre from Oct. 13 through Nov. 7.

The classic murder mystery Hasbro board game and movie by Paramount Pictures is being theatrically performed on stage by Meadow Brook Theatre. The murder-mystery-themed show, “Clue: On Stage,” is being shown from Oct. 13 through Nov. 7.

“’Clue: On Stage’ is for people who love a good murder mystery, but also for those who love comedies,” said Travis Walter, artistic director at Meadow Brook Theatre. “This show brings to life the characters from the game and film, but fleshes them out in a way that gives each character a unique personality and wonderfully witty dialogue.”

The characters present in the show include: Professor Plum, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Mr. Green, Miss Scarlett and Wadsworth. These individuals are invited to a secluded mansion where their host unexpectedly dies. They are all given weapons and must discover the many clues, along with the audience, that leads them to the killer.

“When creating characters that are already known to the public, there is pressure to make sure that certain aspects of character, sets and costumes are reminiscent of what people are expecting to see,” said Walter. “While we have done that, we also have a lot of unique moments that come from what the actors themselves bring to their roles.”

The production of this show is distinct because it moves much quicker than the standard theatrical performance. In addition, this show exhibits a style of entertainment that will keep audiences guessing and trying to find clues throughout.

“It is a fast show, less than an hour and a half, with no intermission,” said Terry Carpenter, associate director/stage manager at Meadow Brook Theatre. “Things start to happen quickly within the show. This show will seem shorter as it is pretty fast-paced. You see the whole story in a very condensed time.”

All age groups are welcomed to attend. Even though it is a murder mystery, it does not have horrific effects on audiences like a horror movie.

“It’s appropriate for kids, there are murders within the game, but there is nothing bloody or terribly scary,” said Carpenter. “It is all played in a comedic style. Nothing anyone would be offended by.”

Audiences will be pleased to know that safety is of top priority to Oakland University and Meadow Brook Theatre. Therefore, guidelines and rules for attending this event are set in stone to protect the audience and the crew members.

“We currently follow OU’s mask policy, so the audience is required to wear a mask during the performance,” said Walters. “The HVAC system has been updated — there are hand sanitizing stations in the lobby and touchless ticketing scanners. The entire staff is vaccinated and tested three times per week, and the front row is left open to separate the actors from the audience.”

Tickets can be purchased at the Meadow Brook Theatre box office or by buying them online at ticketmaster.com.