In my family, the board game “Clue” is a favorite. I usually portray Miss Scarlet and almost always win. So when my daughter and I went to see the stage adaptation in San Jose, we had high expectations. Fortunately, we weren’t disappointed.

Inspired by the Hasbro board game and the 1985 film, this whodunit comedy opened Oct. 29 at San Jose’s Center for the Performing Arts to a large audience, a few even dressed as characters, such as Mrs. Peacock and Miss Scarlet. This was the second stop in the Bay Area for the North American tour, which previously played in San Francisco.

Let the Mystery Begin

The opening scene got everyone in the mood, with thunder and lighting streaming through the windows of Boddy Manor, “a mansion of epic proportions and terrifying secrets, in New England,” according to the program. The mansion was like a character in the show because of the exceptional scenic design by Lee Savage. The grand hall was just as you would imagine a mansion in murder mystery to look – tall ceilings, ornate architecture and hanging chandeliers. As the cast tiptoed from room to room, the sets seamlessly changed with them.

As in the movie, there are six strangers whose names have been changed. They have been invited by Mr. Boddy to the mansion to discuss the blackmail he has over them. The guests are = the characters we know and love: Colonel Mustard (John Treacy Egan), Mrs. White (Tari Kelly), Mrs. Peacock (Joanna Glushak), Mr. Green (John Shartzer), Professor Plum (Jonathan Spivey) and Miss Scarlet (Christina Anthony). As the evening proceeds, dead bodies start to turn up throughout the mansion and the group splits up to investigate.

Enter the Butler

My nomination for favorite performance goes to Jeff Skowron as Wadsworth – the zany butler who is leading this evening of madness. His physical comedic style reminds me a lot of Martin Short. In one of the final scenes, the audience was treated to Wadsworth impersonating all characters as he went over the clues. This high-energy scene full of comedic talent had Skowron quickly changing his voice and mannerisms.

Another stand-out performance was Shartzer. I barely noticed him in the beginning as he portrayed timid, clumsy Mr. Green. But a twist in the plot gave him a chance to shine as an actor. Glushak as the batty and neurotic Mrs. Peacock who drinks too much also gave a solid performance. She receives many chuckles from the audience.

If you’re a fan of the board game or the movie, or if you enjoy murder mysteries, “Clue” is a fun show full of twists, turns and laughs.

“Clue” is showing through Nov. 3. Get two for the price of one ticket at the Halloween performance on Oct. 31 and come dressed in costume. Tickets are $25-263.

For more information, go to broadwaysanjose.com/shows/clue.

Tag: Teresa Mills-Faraudo is an associate editor at Bay Area Parent.