Who did it, where, and with what? It was Marple Newtown High School, in the theatre, with Clue! Marple Newtown High School got the game rolling with their production of Clue: On Stage. The company excellently captured the humor and mystery of the murderous show.  

Clue: On Stage is based on the popular 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game. Set on a dark and stormy night at Boddy Manor, the story follows a band of curious suspects. Miss Scarlett, Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, and Mr. Green gather for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host, Mr. Boddy, turns up dead, the guests follow Wadsworth, the butler, in a race to find the killer. 

Theodore Pilko, who played Wadsworth and Mr. Boddy, led the cast with considerable talent. His performance, anchored in clever acting, captured the audience’s attention. He effortlessly switched between the stateliness of a butler to the coarse Mr. Boddy, which displayed the skill that went into bringing his character to life. Allie Wahl brilliantly embodied the infamously flirtatious Miss Scarlett. Her portrayal was a standout among the suspects with her facial expressions, cigarette smoking, and coquettish remarks.

Oscar Padilla impeccably portrayed the comically anxious Mr. Green. Padilla captured Green’s timidity and klutz with his sharp physical comedy. Alongside him, Rebecca Kennedy as Mrs. Peacock entertained with her witty gestures and comedic timing. Kennedy marvelously depicted Peacocks’ quick hysteria and neurotic commentary. Both Padilla and Kennedy added slapstick comedy and authentic acting to a mischievously comedic show.   

Further adding to the remarkable cast, Miranda Zelonka as Yvette expertly characterized the provocative French maid and stayed in character both in life and death. Several dedicated actors made amusing cameos that caught lots of laughs from the audience, including the ensemble of The Agents and Francesca Tori as the Singing Telegram Girl. 

The Marple Newtown Stage Crew admirably executed the transitions between scenes; not a cue was missed. Most salient was the sound design by Emily Grimm. The music in Boddy Manor perfectly matched the backdrop of the mysterious mansion. Specifically, the various weaponry sound effects elevated the scenes to lively or rather, “deathly”, heights. The set gave the vision of a grand mansion, with myriad doors, hiding many secrets. Additionally, the Marketing team fantastically decorated the school to reflect the murderous whodunit show.  

Marple Newtown’s Clue: On Stage was an electrifying twisted tale filled with laughter and fear alike.