Review: CLUE entertains at La Comedia Dinner Theatre

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if your favorite board game came to life? You can get a glimpse of it now with CLUE, THE MUSICAL at La Comedia Dinner Theatre.

CLUE, with book by Peter DiPietro, Music by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker, and Vinnie Martucci, and Lyrics by Tom Chiodo, takes the characters and weapons from the popular board game and puts them in the rooms we all recognize as the characters plot the death of Mr. Boddy. Adding in an additional detective character and borrowing a few bits from the 1985 film, the musical takes us through the clues until the show ends up at one of the 216 possible endings. The audience even gets some chances to participate and to take a guess of their own as to who the killer is.

The musical itself isn't great. The songs are rather flimsy with no true show stoppers in the bunch. However, the ensemble put together by Director Chris Beiser is what makes this show entertaining. Mr. Boddy (David Thomas) carries the most weight as he serves as character and narrator of sorts driving all of the action. He moves the other characters about as if they were his own personal board game. His antics are humorous and campy. He is very enjoyable to watch.

The rest of the ensemble, Miss Scarlett (Karie-Lee Sutherland), Colonel Mustard (Dean Arthur Shipley), Professor Plum (Chris Kramer), Mrs. White (Claire Sherer), Mr. Green (Christopher Putnam), Mrs. Peacock (Linda Dew) and the detective who ties it all together (Janet Brucken), all work together well to make sure everyone in the audience has fun, which worked on the evening I attended, as everyone was laughing and having a good time.

CLUE, THE MUSICAL runs until October 28. You can purchase your tickets online at www.lacomedia.com, and by phone at either 937-746-4554 or 1-800-677-9505. Ticket prices range from $61 to $75 depending on the performance you choose to attend.

For evening shows Thursday- Sunday, it is recommended that you arrive between 5:30-6:00 PM. The buffet opens around 6:15 and you will be invited to dine in order of arrival. The show will begin around 7:30-7:45 and all shows have a 15 minute intermission.

For matinee shows on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, it is recommended that you arrive between 10:30 AM and 11 AM. The buffet will open around 11:15 and the show will begin at approximately 7:30-7:45.