Review: A Killer Comedy: Theatre Wesleyan’s CLUE Delivers Laughs and Mystery

Clue

Directed by Cheryl Penland
Produced by Theatre Wesleyan

Audience Rating: PG

Running Time: Approx. 90 minutes with no intermission

Accessible Seating: Available

Hearing Devices: Not Available

Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available

ASL Showing: Not Available

Sound Level: Comfortable volume

Audio/Visuals to Prepare for: thunder and lightening and gunshots

Reviewed by Tim Bass

Since its stage debut in 2017, Clue has become one of the most popular comedies in American theatre. Adapted from the beloved board game and the 1985 cult-classic film, the play demands a great deal from both its performers and production team. The play moves at a hectic pace, balancing mystery, physical comedy, sharp dialogue, and larger-than-life characters while consistently building toward one absurd revelation after another. When all of its moving pieces are in sync, Clue is a delightful theatrical machine.

Theatre Wesleyan opened its 2026-2027 season with Sandy Rustin's adaptation, bringing audiences into Boddy Manor for an evening of murder, secrets, and mistaken identities. Set on the proverbial dark and stormy night, the story follows six strangers known only by colorful aliases as they gather for a mysterious dinner party that quickly spirals into chaos and murder. What follows is a cascade of accusations, harried investigations, and comic confusion as everyone attempts to discover who the killer is before becoming the next victim.

The production's is anchored by Brady Beckley as Wadsworth, the mansion's butler and the primary engine driving the evening. Beckley demonstrates a confidence and stage presence that serve him well in a role made famous by the recently departed Tim Curry in the film version. More importantly, he wisely avoids imitation. Instead, he creates his own deft and clever interpretation of the character, guiding the audience through the increasingly tangled plot while maintaining the energy necessary to keep the story moving. His command of the stage, his charm, and his comic instincts are admirable, particularly during the show's most demanding sequences. 

One of the unique challenges of Clue is that it requires a remarkably precise ensemble. The comedy relies not only on strong individual performances but also on collective timing, vibe, and rhythm. In this production, the cast approaches the material with enthusiasm and commitment, embracing the heightened style of the demanding script. They clearly understand the playful spirit of the piece and throw themselves fully into its many comic situations. Each of the players had strong individual moments and understood the importance of functioning well as a whole. While Beckley holds it all together, I could easily write a paragraph detailing what each performer brought to the stage. 

Director Cheryl Penland approaches the material with evident affection for both the script and its source material. She makes sure the frantic comedy never overwhelms the underlying story, which is admirable in a play that can easily lose its punch if played only for cheap laughs. Still, the production embraces the broad humor and absurdity that audiences expect from Clue, while remaining accessible to anyone seeing the play for the first time.

The technical aspects of the play effectively support the storytelling. Some productions of Clue I have seen have benefited from highly elaborate scenic and technical elements to help create the illusion of a cinematic mystery unfolding on stage. Theatre Wesleyan's production approaches these elements more modestly, placing the emphasis primarily on the performers and the script itself. While the set and other scenic elements never become the dominant feature of the play, they none-the-less provide an effective framework for the action and allow the actors and the comedy to remain at the forefront.

Clue is a deceptively difficult production to pull off successfully. It depends upon split-second timing, absolute ensemble cohesion, and a level of confidence that even seasoned professional actors sometimes struggle to achieve. Theatre Wesleyan's student actors are clearly willing to take on that challenge and engage with a script that demands considerable energy and commitment from everyone involved. The result is a fun experience with many magical moments sure to make audiences laugh.

For audiences who enjoy the familiar world of Boddy Manor and appreciate the work of talented student artists developing their craft, Theatre Wesleyan's Clue offers a chance to experience a popular theatrical comedy through the lens of the next generation of performers.

To the Explorers of the Soul,

Tim Bass

Photos by Lauren Alyss Photography/Lauren Hunt