The magic of ‘Clue’
The 1985 Hollywood film “Clue” is one of the most iconic comedies of the decade. For revivalists, the film’s cast of talented artists — including Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, and the late Tim Curry and Madeline Kahn — would be a challenge for any actor to live up to.
Despite this, touring Broadway actors Zoie Tannous (Yvette) and Kyle Yampiro (Professor Plum) have their own ways to give these characters life. Yampiro said this national tour gives the actors the chance to mine personal lived experience in order to “breathe new life into these already hilarious movie characters.”
The magic of “Clue” is that it allows incredible characters to be honored onstage by a younger generation of performers. This allows audiences to see something familiar while still being blown away by a new wave of talent. If there’s one thing this tour of “Clue” borrows from its film predecessor is the high-energy physical comedy Tannous described as “nuanced farce at its highest level of sophistication.”
Despite being a stage play and not a musical, the cast features many musical-theater actors.
“The madcap pace and the musicality of the dialogue are akin to musical theater,” Yampiro said. “I think vocal command, dexterity and an innate sense of timing are incredibly important for ‘Clue’.”
Read the full Center for the Performing Arts interview with the “Clue” actors.
About the touring production
The production is led by Broadway Director Casey Hushion (associate director of “Mean Girls,” choreography for “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”).
The cast of “Clue” includes Sarah Mackenzie Baron as Mrs. White, Adam Brett as Wadsworth, Camille Capers as Miss Scarlet, Nate Curlott as Colonel Mustard, Joseph Dalfonso as Mr. Boddy and others, TJ Lamando as Mr. Green, Madeline Raube as Mrs. Peacock, AT Sanders as The Cook and others, Zoie Tannous as Yvette, Kebron Woodfin as the Cop and others, and Kyle Yampiro as Professor Plum. The understudies are Thomas Netter, Allison Masulis, Taylor Tveten and Layne Roate.
The production also features scenic design by Lee Savage, costume design by Jen Caprio, lighting design by Ryan J. O'Gara, sound design by Jeff Human, and hair, wig and makeup design by J. Jared Janas. “Clue” is associate directed by Saki Kawamura, with fight choreography by Robert Westley. Casting is by Whitley Theatrical. The Production Stage Manager is Harrison Solenday and the Company Manager is Laurence Christopher.
The Second North American Tour of “Clue” is produced by Work Light Productions and LME Productions.
Originally produced at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, by producers Alexander Fraser, Robyn Goodman and Josh Fiedler. It was developed by Cleveland Play House; Laura Kepley, artistic director; and Kevin Moore, managing director.
“Clue” is based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and written by Sandy Rustin with additional material by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. It features original music by Michael Holland.
The “Clue” franchise began in 1949 with the manufacture of the Cluedo board game. Currently owned and published by Hasbro, the game has since sold more than 200 million copies worldwide. A murder-mystery comedy film by Paramount Pictures based on the board game was released in 1985, acquiring a passionate fanbase that continues to gain newcomers today.
Accessibility
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for this performance. Contact the Arts Ticket Center via email or by calling 814-863‑0255 no later than Thursday, Oct. 15, to discuss ASL seating preferences.
Sensory-friendly venue
Eisenhower Auditorium is certified by KultureCity as a sensory-friendly venue. One goal of the Center for the Performing Arts is to offer everyone an opportunity to enjoy an event, regardless of a guest’s invisible neurodisabilities such as dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and autism.
Guests are welcome to visit a designated quiet space on the lounge level, or sign out a variety of items to help self-regulate, including noise-reducing earmuffs, anti-strobe glasses, lap pads and carefully curated sensory tools. The KultureCity app helps reduce uncertainty by providing pre-visit social stories, so guests know what to expect.
Read about the KultureCity certification.
Prepare for your arrival with a pre-visit social story.
Click for available accessibility services.
Acknowledgments
A grant from the University Park Fee Board makes student prices possible.
Accessibility services are provided by Sidney and Helen S. Friedman Endowment.
Find us
The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, a unit of the College of Art & Architecture, aspires to create connected, sustainable, and equitable communities, where everyone experiences joy, belonging and creativity.
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