By ALAN SMASON, WYES-TV Theatre Critc (“Steppin’ Out“)
Whether you loved the board game “Clue” when growing up or, perhaps, enjoyed the Paramount Pictures movie of the same title, the murder mystery genre that catapulted Agatha Christie to fame has proven to be a major draw to its success.
The simple board game developed during World War II as “Cluedo” was intended to entertain folks inside darkened homes in lieu of nixed outside entertainment due to the war effort. That’s the reason why there’s a billiards room, for example.
Parker Brothers acquired the U.S. rights and the rest became three- to six-player history. Modern players may note that Hasbro distributes the game today.
Based on the success of both the board game and the film screenplay by Johnathan Lynn, Sandy Rustin wrote Clue, which recently enjoyed a short run at the Saenger Theater as part of a national tour.
Directed by Jack Lampert, Clue is finishing its two-week run at the newly-reopened Westwego Performing Arts Theatre as part of the Jefferson Performing Arts (JPA) ambitious schedule.
The cast is led by the remarkable Louis Dudoussat, who as the butler Wadsworth, steals the show. His proper stiff upper lip eventually goes out the window and the performance he delivers is superb.
Kendall Berry also is a standout in her JPA debut as Miss Scarlet. She possesses an exuberance in the role that drives her incandescent performance.
Other distaff members of the cast who do a creditable job include Reagan Lincoln as Mrs. Peacock, Candice Moses as Mrs. White and Yvonne Eres-Nuss as Yvette, the French maid.
Earl J. Scioneaux, Jr. plays the heavy, Professor Plum, who cuts a mysterious figure opposite Joel Sunsin as Mr. Green and Leland Ensminger as Col. Mustard.
There is little mystery to the plot as the invitations to the Boddy Manor have all insisted that the real names of the guests be substituted with the invented monikers supplied by the host and all described by colors.
It is Mr. Boddy who is manipulating the guests or, at least, that is what we are meant to believe. They each have their own reasons for being at the house and none of it has to do with curiosity.
The 90-minute work plays without an intermission and is far more hilarious than scary. The show is fun for both the cast and the audience, although it is not intended as much more than that and certainly proves to be fun for the entire family.
Brittany Milligan, Noah Smith and David Haydel play various roles as ensemble members.
Costumes by Antonette de Alteris with Heidi Bayer as her assistant are outstanding and Kasey Smith should also be called out for excellent hair and makeup designs. Grant Vicknair turned in great lighting designs and Aila Scott also should be complimented for sound designs along with original music by Michael Holland. It goes without saying that props are essential to this show and so kudos should also go out to Olivia Winter.
Clue, directed by Jack Lampert, finishes its run at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre, 166 Sala Avenue in Westwego, with a matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. For tickets call 504-885-2000 or click here.
