THE SETTING was dark and ominous, the plot thrilling and mysterious, and the entertainment value was absolutely off the charts! What else could be expected for the recent production of “Clue” at The Fly Arts Center in Shelbyville? Patrons flocked to the center for an evening of suspense and fun and to raise funds for the beloved local arts destination.
Based on the cult classic film and the popular board game, the production is set on a dark and stormy night at the Boddy Manor. The manor is hosting a dinner party with guests that include well-known characters, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, and Colonel Mustard. A murder occurs, leaving the guests and the audience racing to uncover the guilty party.
The production featured talented locals, which included Terry Cooper, Jackie Roberts, April Glosson, Sue Thelen, Jennifer Smith, Cort Huffman, Jody Turner, David Butner, Jeanne Edwards, Alex Phillips, Lucy Smith, and Raffe Roberts.
The screenplay was by Jonathan Lynn and written by Sandy Rustin. Hunter Foster and Eric Price provided additional material. Music was by Jill Jackson, with sound provided by Daniel Shearon and Raffe Roberts.
The cast and crew transformed the stage and audience seating area into an all-in-one stage for the production.
“We did the production out in the big room rather than in the theatre,” said Jeanne Edwards, who played the roles of ‘cook’ and ‘chief of police.’ “Instead of a stage where you would have scenes move on and off the stage, the Boddy mansion encompassed all of the room’s walls. Everybody was on the front row at some point during the show because of the actors moving around ‘the mansion.’ They would come in the front door, move to the lounge, then to the dining room, and finally to the dining room study. The action was 360 degrees around the room. So if some of the audience felt they couldn’t see, they only needed to wait a few minutes, and they would have a front-row seat as the actors would move toward them.”
Edwards added that it was a thrill and a challenge for the actors to take on such a production.
“I’ve done theatre for a while, but it was neat as we started staging; we realized we were doing something different,” she explained. “It was going to be a different experience than most people have participated in. That made it exciting for us. In staging, we watched the mansion build up around us. We had fun thinking about where things would be placed without having an actual set. We also tried to incorporate fun props such as vintage telephones and staged big beautiful table settings with crystal for the dining room. We also had free-standing doors that made it seem like we were going from room to room. Every aspect was so much fun, and it had great energy to it. Both the actors and the audience just really enjoyed it.”
The production was also a fundraiser for the center. According to Edwards, it was a success and will provide vital funds for the center. The center has many more theatrical offerings for patrons to enjoy in 2023. For the latest classes and events, visit online at flyartscenter.com. GN
