By Marilyn Jozwik
There is something extra special about Cudahy High School’s virtual presentation of “Clue: On Stage.”
The show can be viewed at BroadwayOnDemand.com through April 11.
Not only is it a campy, well-produced romp by a troupe of energetic and enthusiastic high school students, but it is presented during a pandemic. That no-small feat was handled with the use of clear face guards by all performers, which are virtually imperceptible on the virtual presentation.
The show is based on the Hasbro board game and a motion picture. It immediately has the feel of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” as six guests have been invited by an unknown host to a mansion on a hill on a dark, stormy night. Only this is not the serious business Christie’s classic is. Instead, “Clue” is camp.
Anyone familiar with the game will recognize the sextet as they arrive: Colonel Mustard (Benjamin Oman), Miss White (Lola D’Aquisto), Miss Peacock (Keira Herbert), Mr. Green (Francesco Magestro), Miss Scarlet (Leyla Sutton) and Professor Plum (Laykin Chappell).
They are greeted by the mansion’s butler, Wadsworth (Zack Burki), who manages the mansion along with the maid (Makayla Bishop) and cook (Jordyn Adams). We learn a little about the guests over dinner, but then Mr. Body (David Steininger) arrives with a suitcase full of incriminating evidence against all of them as he hands each a gift of a murder weapon a la the board game – lead pipe, candlestick, revolver, wrench, rope and dagger.
Soon, lights go out, dead bodies show up -- and show up again – in various familiar rooms: the lounge, hall, library, billiard room, etc. A motorist (Gaven Bradley) pops in, as do a cop (Felicity Petrusczak) and even a singing telegram girl (Lauren Jarantowski-Bejzak). Madcap antics ensue as more than a half-dozen doors, a balcony and a secret passage are portals to surprising discoveries and hilarious hijinks, sending the characters on a high-paced mission to find the incriminating evidence and the murderer(s).
Burki as the stuffy butler Wadsworth heads this fine cast with a commanding stage presence. His character takes full command of the proceedings with a haughty air, affected accent and fine physical comedy and comic timing.
The whole cast really got into the fun and funny as they moved into the parlor for some classic doubletalk and quick wit that moved the small, socially-distanced audience to waves of laughter.
Completing the cast as FBI agents are Sydney Campbell, Kate Papala and Skyler Geshrick. Ella Bronk served on stage crew, Noah Moebius on set construction and stage crew, while Marites Guarin was student director.
Director Erin Shaughnessy has her charges articulating well and well-rehearsed to handle the wit and physicality of the show, with a screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and written by Sandy Rustin. Assisting were Andrea Damitz Liegler, theater manager; John Witt, technical director; and Kyle Ahonen, assistant technical director.
The set is sturdy and well-designed to handle a lot of rough treatment, including lots of door action. The virtual presentation offers good, clear sound for the characters’ voices, ominous organ chords and other audio effects to set the mood. Visually, the show moved nicely to various scenes to create a professional quality appearance.
This review is also available at BrewtownBuzzSouth.com