first night review: Clue @ JPA

Clue @ Jefferson Performing Arts
Review by Aura Bishop

On Thursday, Jefferson Performing Arts opened their new season at the Westwego Performing Arts Theatre with a production of Clue - the hit play based off of the cult-classic movie based off of the beloved mystery board game.

Clue tells the story of six unscrupulous Washington DC socialites, a maid, a butler, a cook, and the convoluted blackmail plot that brings them altogether at a spooky mansion on a dark and stormy night. Each of the characters represents a player in the game, and just like the game, we follow along trying to determine who murdered who and which weapons were used to commit the deed. 

This crowd-pleaser has something for everyone. It’s a great introduction to the world of Clue, while fans of the movie and game will love the familiar references. Much like the beloved motion picture, Clue the play is full of witty quips, clever word-play, and slapstick physical comedy from start to finish, making it a quick-moving show that keeps the audience constantly engaged.

Director Jack Lampert adeptly moves our players throughout the “game” via an impressive set of constantly-moving pieces, representing the large mansion and its hidden passageways, designed by Olivia Winter. The entire cast brings a delightfully high-energy performance. Listen for a well-known local cameo early in the show. 

The Westwego Performing Arts Theater is smaller than JPA’s East Bank counterpart, but well-designed with comfortable seats and a mid-sized stage that allows for a variety of performances. This was my first time attending a show at this location. My friend and I found it well worth the small adventure over the Huey P. Long Bridge. I will definitely be back in the future to explore Westwego’s cultural district a little further. 

Performances of Clue run through October 13th. Click here for ticketing and further information