Get a ‘Clue’ with musical at Hill Country Community Theatre
COTTONWOOD SHORES — A cherished “whodunit” board game that has delighted millions and was later turned into a musical and a movie is coming to the Highland Lakes. “Clue: The Musical” runs Feb. 18-March 7 at the Hill Country Community Theatre, 4003 FM 2147.
“Just imagine stepping back into your childhood for a moment,” said Jim McDermott, the theater’s executive director. “You are seated at a table with four of your friends trying to deduce, by eliminating the clues given to you, who the murderer is, in what room and with what weapon. That’s right… the suspects are back, only now they’re on stage in an HCCT production.”
The classic detective board game, which is owned by Hasbro (the makers of GI Joe), calls on players to move from room to room in a mansion to solve a murder mystery. As they try to learn who did what to whom, the killer may be lurking in their midst.
The cast includes David Sweigart as Col. Mustard, Chris Porter as Mr. Green, Maris Lynne Long as Mrs. White and Toni Rysdam-Shorre as Mrs. Peacock, with newcomers Lacey Smith as Miss Scarlet and Gary Kesler as Mr. Plum.
Kesler’s wife Michele portrays The Detective, while Anson Hahn takes over hosting duties as Mr. Boddy. The stage direction is by McDermott, with musical direction by Melody Pauling, choreography by Virginia Shoemake and stage management by Priscilla Castaneda.
Stage, light and sound design are by the team of Steve Reily and Stephanie Ellis.
“‘Clue: The Musical’ brings the internationally popular board game to life on stage. At times both humorous and darkly sinister, this is an interactive musical starting with three audience members selecting one card each from three decks and placing it in an envelope marked ‘Confidential,’” McDermott said. He added: “The envelope is then left untouched until the end of the production. The chosen cards will determine the ending of the show, which has 216 possible conclusions. These card selections also determine some interchangeable dialogue between certain characters which are delivered as the play unfolds.”
The musical ran Off-Broadway at the Players Theatre, after a run in Chicago and a world premiere in Baltimore. It was also made into a movie in 1985, with Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn and Michael McKean.
Local performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and a 2:15 p.m. matinee on Sundays. Tickets are $20 for adults and $9 for children.
Order online at hcct.org or visit the box office in the lobby, which is open noon-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
The phone number is (830) 798-8944.
Porter is a reporter for The Daily Tribune.