A review
The Sampson Community Theatre adaptation of “Clue,” can be summed up in two words — must see.
And I don’t say that lightly. In fact, must-see is actually not the strongest word I could use. GO might be more apropos. Because honestly that’s how strongly I feel about Sampsonians, or anyone reading this review, heading down to Fayetteville Street in Clinton Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, grabbing some popcorn and settling in for one of the most deliciously funny local productions I’ve ever seen.
You should go … and go again. It’s just that good.
Crammed full of one-liners, slapstick pratfalls and facial expressions that need no words, “Clue” offers theater-goers a relaxing evening that promises to make them laugh until they double over with side-splitting cramps or rush to the nearest restroom to grab tissue for the wiping of laughter-invoked tears streaming from their eyes.
It’s not the occasional funny line, either. It’s humor from the moment the curtain rises until the final bow.
Directed by Sampson’s own Angela Martin, who, herself, has entertained many SCT audiences with humorous roles in such plays as Nunsense and Steel Magnolias, the “Clue” performance is so good you don’t want the show to end. Seriously, I looked at my watch when the thespians took their final bow and silently wished it had lasted at least another 15 to 20 minutes. It is just that much of an attention-grabber. And it’s just that much fun to watch.
Clue is led by an ensemble cast that includes Jon Frantz, Kim O’Callaghan, William Barefoot, Alison Carr, Jonathan Daniels, Laura Carraway, Robert Turlington, Courtney Parker, Cameron Someliana-Lauer, Schuyler Floyd and Evander Pope, all providing stellar performances, whether they uttered one line or countless dozens of zingers.
The cast is so good, in fact, that it’s hard to single out anyone as the very best. They all bring a unique take to their individual characters (some more than one), and deserve high praise for drawing their audience into Boddy Manor and holding them enthralled step after step, fall after fall, scream after blood-curdling scream.
They even held my attention — I was on the edge of my seat, actually — for the opening scene after intermission, when few words were even spoken. It was a synchronized march to music, of sorts, as characters moved in and out of doors, shoulder to shoulder, sometimes back to back, in search of a killer, fright or consternation on their faces — sometimes both — keeping us breathlessly wondering when the madness would end.
It takes strong acting to hold one’s attention during times when no words are spoken, but the “Clue” crew did it with great aplomb, comedic timing nearly perfect. It was a well choreographed scene that really added the cherry to an already scrumptious treat.
And speaking of comedic timing, every cast member, from Colonel Mustard and Mrs. Peacock, to Wadsworth and Professor Plum, and all those in between, had it in spades. Retired local educator Turlington, whose bumbling Mr. Green was perfection, probably gets the blue ribbon for timing during the Saturday night performance I saw. He didn’t just act the part — he was Green, and his stunt falls, his squeamish expressions and, yes, his embodiment of the character left me wanting one more body to fall on him, just to watch his facial expressions twist and contort.
The theatrical expressions were perhaps one of the most impressive aspects the entire cast used to drive home points, bring laughter and tell the story of the dinner party at Boddy Manor that turns hilariously deadly and mysterious early. Every actor’s expressions were spot on, speaking volumes even when a particular character didn’t even have a line. Take Carr’s Mrs. White, for example. Her high brow attitude was clear, from the haughty walk to the often prudish looks, she pegged the black widow.
In truth every actor was nearly flawless in their portrayal of the very familiar Clue characters. You easily forgot that Carraway wasn’t Mrs. Peacock, Frantz wasn’t Wadsworth or O’Callaghan wasn’t Miss Scarlett. In every way that mattered, they were these characters, and they were hilarious.
I applaud them all for jobs very, very well done.
Also well done was the well choreographed work of the behind-the-scenes crew who had me breathless as I watched them move lightning fast across the stage, changing furniture and props with what seemed like ease, though I’m sure it was really far harder to do than it appeared, a testament to their skill. Applause also goes to those who did the lighting, handled the wardrobe and accomplished the looks for each of the characters. Just wow.
Director Martin brought it all together as we’ve come to expect from her. The talent she so easily exudes on both ends of the drama spectrum — as actor and director —was on full display in just how flawlessly her actors pulled off this wonderful play.
People often complain there’s nothing to do in Sampson County. They are wrong. From Alive After 5 to Bloomfest, festivals to our wonderful community theater, the offerings are far more than one might think. All it takes is reading your newspaper, finding out what’s going on and then being an active participant.
It should start with seeing “Clue.” It will be the best night you’ve spent in a long time. You will laugh in spite of yourself and, I promise, you will be more than glad you took time to go.
Clue performances will be Thursday, May 21, at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 24, 2 p.m., and a final matinee performance Sunday, May 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15.