Murder and Blackmail Take Center Stage as Center Repertory Company Presents the Uproarious Cult Comedy “Clue”

By Jan Miller

     Six mysterious guests assemble for a dinner party at Boddy Manor, and then become suspects when their host turns up deceased. But who is the killer? Ah, that’s the question in Center Repertory Company’s farce-meets-murder-mystery theatre stage adaptation of the classic Hasbro board game “Clue,” currently performing through November 20, 2022 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA.

     Led by Wadsworth the butler, the guests race to find the killer as the body count stacks up. Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? This is a welcome throwback to an era of physical comedy,

while fashioning the spirit of classic ensemble farce.

     To bring this hit comedy to life, Carlin assembles an outstanding cast of Bay Area talent: Wilma Bonet as Mrs. Peacock, the batty wife of a senator; Dorian Lockett as Colonel Mustard, a pompous military man who tries to solve the murders while becoming a suspect himself; Keiko Shimosato Carreiro as Mrs. White, a tragic woman who may or may not be the murderer of her five ex-husbands; Corey Rieger as Professor Plum, an academic Casanova; Sarah Mitchell as Miss Scarlett, a madam with a penchant for secrets; David Everett Moore as Mr. Green, a timid and anxious rule follower; Brady Morales-Woolery as Wadsworth, the butler of Boddy Mansion; Caroline Pernick as Yvette, the maid of Boddy Mansion. Heather Kellogg Baumann, Michael Doppe, and Kyle Stoner round out the cast playing a variety of ensemble characters.

     Special kudos go out to production Manager Jeff Collister, stage manager Alicia Lerner and Asst. Stage Manager Joe Coe and Choreographer Natalie Green and Lighting Designer Jennifer Fok who managed to created all the famous  rooms of an entire mansion onto the relatively small stage. The audience was treated to a lot of laughs, and that warm spirit was infectious in all the best of ways.

     Whether audience members are longtime followers or newcomers to “Clue,” this comedic whodunit offers a bloody good time. Helmed by acclaimed Bay Area director Nancy Carlin, “Clue” currently performs to November 20 at the Lesher Center for the Arts (1601 Civic Dr.) in Walnut Creek, CA.

     For tickets or more information, visit www.lesherartscenter.org or phone the box office at (925) 943-7469 (open Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6 p.m.).

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Photo caption: The Boddy Manor guests (l to r: Keiko Shimosato Carreiro, Sarah Mitchell, Wilma Bonet, Corey Rieger, Dorian Lockett, David Everett Moore) are informed by Wadsworth (Brady Morales-Woolery) of the evening's sinister proceedings in "Clue," currently performing through November 20 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA.  (Photo Credit: Kevin Berne)