Clue on Stage: A Board Game Mystery That Surprisingly Works
Washington Pavilion, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, March 28, 2026
Clue Sets the Stage Before the Curtain Rises
Walking into the Washington Pavilion on a performance day, the experience begins well before the curtain ever lifts. For touring productions like Clue, the venue lobby transforms into an extension of the show itself. Part atmosphere, part marketing, and entirely intentional.
For this run, audiences are greeted by a themed photo opportunity featuring the iconic weapons from the beloved board game. It’s a clever nod to the source material, inviting patrons to step into the mystery before they even find their seats. The installation not only sparks nostalgia but also encourages engagement, as theatergoers pause to capture and share the moment.
Nearby, the merchandise stand delivers exactly what seasoned attendees might expect with a mix of branded apparel, including T-shirts and hoodies, alongside a wide assortment of smaller keepsakes. Pins, keychains, and magnets round out the selection, offering accessible options for those looking to take a piece of the experience home.
While the offerings themselves are standard for a touring production, their presentation plays an important role. Together, the photo op and merchandise create a cohesive pre-show environment that bridges the gap between audience and performance, and sets the tone for the mystery about to unfold.
A Classic Game Takes an Unexpected Turn
It’s not unusual to see beloved films or novels adapted for the stage. But a board game? That still feels like a gamble.
Yet Clue, the iconic murder mystery game created by Anthony E. Pratt in 1943 and later popularized by Parker Brothers, now Hasbro, has made the leap to live theater. Against expectations, it works.
And not just modestly. It thrives.
Opening the Doors to Boddy Manor
The production wastes no time setting the tone. A looming image of Boddy Manor, styled like a haunted house in a large picture frame, establishes an eerie yet playful mood before a single line is spoken.
Enter Wadsworth, played by Adam Brett, who acts as both guide and ringleader. One by one, the guests arrive: Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, Mr. Green, Professor Plum, and Mrs. White. Each bringing their own exaggerated personalities that immediately fuel the comedy.
A standout early impression comes from Sarah Mackenzie Baron as Mrs. White. Having previously appeared as Alice in The Addams Family in 2025, Baron pivots sharply into a completely different character here, showcasing impressive range.
A Set That Becomes a Character
If the script drives the pacing, the set defines the experience.
The stage begins in Boddy Manor’s lobby, but quickly transforms. Doors swing open into familiar rooms such as the lounge, billiard room, kitchen, and library, while others descend from above, revealing the study, dining room, and hall.
It’s an ambitious design that pays off. Scene transitions are seamless, often enhanced by clever physical comedy that keeps the momentum alive. The house itself feels alive, almost like another cast member in the chaos.
Rapid-Fire Dialogue and Controlled Chaos
This is not a slow burn mystery.
With no intermission, Clue delivers a relentless stream of dialogue, much of it carried by Wadsworth. The script leans heavily into rapid exposition, culminating in a brilliantly executed recap sequence. A physical and verbal whirlwind that revisits the night’s six murders.
Unlike some versions of the show, this production follows a fixed narrative rather than the multiple-ending format. Even so, the mystery remains engaging, and the restraint in revealing its secrets is part of the fun.
Honoring the Source Material
Fans of the original game will find plenty to appreciate.
From visual nods like oversized card-style props and a faithful map of the mansion to direct references to its Parker Brothers roots, the production embraces its origins. All six iconic weapons make appearances, each woven into the unfolding mayhem.
It’s a careful balance of nostalgia and reinvention and it lands.
Performances That Drive the Comedy
At the center of it all is Adam Brett’s Wadsworth.
His performance is kinetic, precise, and consistently engaging. From his exaggerated British accent to his physical comedy and near-constant presence on stage, Brett anchors the production.
Nate Curlott’s Colonel Mustard provides a strong comedic counterpoint, leaning into a bumbling persona that disarms tense moments. Meanwhile, Mrs. Peacock, played by Madeline Raube, adds another layer of humor with a distinct character voice and timing that lands reliably with the audience. That’s not to diminish the rest of the cast, who delivered strong performances across the board, but these particular standouts consistently commanded attention and anchored the production throughout for myself.
Afterglow
What could have easily been a gimmick instead becomes one of the more entertaining stage experiences of the season.
Clue is fast-paced, clever, and consistently funny. A production that keeps audiences guessing while delivering plenty of laughs along the way.
As one of the final shows of the current season, it also serves as a reminder of the creativity still thriving in live theater and builds anticipation for what’s next.
