Theater Review: "Clue On Stage" at Castle Craig Players

Meriden - Castle Craig Players is finally able to bring to their stage “Clue On Stage.” The play was originally scheduled for a year ago and is directed by Ian Galligan, assisted by Todd Santa Maria.

The work is based on the screenplay written by Jonathan Lynn and was written by Sandy Rustin with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. There is some recorded original music by Michael Holland.

The cast of characters will undoubtedly mean more to those familiar with the classic Parker Brothers’ Clue board game. Fans of the iconic 1985 cult film version will be able to relive all their favorite lines and bits at this brand new stage adaptation. I don’t fit in either category, but I still enjoyed watching this wonderful Castle Craig cast bring all of the various suspects to glorious life as I tried to figure out the mystery as the bodies pile up. The script contains quite a bit of comedy mixed in with the mystery.

The setting is (of course) a dark and stormy night at the aptly named Boddy Manor, a mansion “of epic proportions and terrifying secrets, not too far from Washington, D.C. in 1954.” The year is important to the plot and the costumes for the playing pieces/characters.

Galligan, currently working on the Marketing team at Goodspeed Musicals, and Santa Maria (in his CCP debut) have ensured that the ensemble cast works together as a finely oiled machine, often moving together to the various rooms of the mansion and shifting as one to the opposite side of the small stage in unison. I was impressed that the actors were able to keep straight their numerous entrances and exits through the three doors and revolving walls in the set constructed by Bill Westermeyer and Mark Laucella. The directors have brought out excellent performances from each of the actors in their classic roles.

Griffin Kulp returns to the Castle Craig stage and makes the most of the role of the butler named Wadsworth. A graduate of Dean College in Franklin, MA, Kulp works in the role of a simulated patient at Quinnipiac University and travels the country as a stage manager and MC for the Starbound National Talent Competition. He nimbly manages the twists and turns of his role with a wonderful stage presence.

Jim Kane get to play his favorite color game piece in the role of Mr. Green. Gina Marie Davies, who has been part of more than 35 productions at various venues, wears the best hat as Mrs. Peacock in her second Castle Craig production.

Michael Jack Kaczynski plays Professor Plum in their debut with Castle Craig. A graduate of the UConn School of Law who has appeared in plays with the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Stratford, CT, they are grateful for the opportunity to act in the stage version of the favorite movie. Johanna Milani returns to this stage in a black ensemble as the widow Mrs. White. Milani holds a BA in theater and an MAT in Education and runs her own small crafting business, Songbird Creative Designs.

Terrance Peters, a graduate of the “Unichusetts of Massaversity” and a self-proclaimed beard-y theater lad, does well in the role of Colonel Mustard in his first show with Castle Craig.

Cameron Long is a delight in the role of Miss Scarlet in her Castle Craig debut. Long is a rising senior at Vassar College, where she majors in drama. Mary Pelkey beautifully portrays the classic French maid in her character Yvette in her CCP debut. Toby Henst portrays Mr. Boddy and the wonderful Elisa Albert (Nina in CCP’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” and Starveling in Elm Shakespeare Company’s “Midsummer”) covers the role of The Cook and others, in addition to understudying the parts of Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, Miss Scarlett and Yvette.

UConn graduate Bret Olsen appears as The Motorist and other in his CCP debut and understudies Mr. Green, Prof. Plum, Col. Mustard, Wadsworth and Mr. Boddy. Nick Ciasullo, who played Schroeder at the outdoor “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” plays The Cop and others. Ciasullo is the band director at Washington Middle School, where he volunteers as the tech director for the drama club.

The musical staging was done by Chelsea Dacey and Santa Maria. Lighting Design by Dusty Raider added to the mystery and sound by Adam Plumley worked well. The costumes designed by Galligan work so very well with the work of set artisan Melanie Del Sole; there are also great wigs by Melissa McCarthy.

In some shows, props are as much a part of the show experience as one of the actors. In the case of "CLUE: On Stage", CCP wanted to match the suspects "weapons" as closely as possible to those in the iconic film. Through lots of research, they were able to track down the exact items (or in some cases, a replica,) noting that it’s all about attention to detail and authenticity.

The production is dedicated to the memory of F. Robert (Bob) Amici, who was instrumental in the design and construction of the 2015 stage extension and supported live theater for many years.

The performance runs 90 minutes without an intermission. Proof of vaccination is required at the door and masks must be worn when not actively eating or drinking. Seating at Castle Craig is cabaret style and patrons may bring food and drink to enjoy one hour before the performance at 8:00 p.m. and during the show. As is usually the case at this venue, all performances are sold out, but they encourage you to join the Standby List - if tickets become available, they'll contact you! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3IA0t6R

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.