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TheatreMcLean traded history for fast-paced farce with “Clue,” a comedic murder mystery staged from April 30 through May 3.

The production followed the group’s staging of “Men on Boats” and fulfilled a long-running joke among its members. Theatre teacher Phillip Reid said the company had discussed performing “Clue” for years before deciding it was the right entertaining, lighthearted show to close the year.

Based on the popular 1985 film inspired by Hasbro’s board game, the play follows six strangers invited to a dinner party at a mansion. After learning that their host is blackmailing them, the guests become suspects when he is suddenly killed. They must then determine who had the strongest motive to commit the murder.

Reid said the familiar story offered audiences 90 minutes of nostalgia and fun, with the goal of sending theatergoers home smiling.

Work on the production began months before opening night. Sophomore Sophie Larson, a stage production manager, started collaborating with Reid in late February to shape plans for the set and overall presentation.

Larson helped organize cast and crew lists, kept production meetings moving, communicated schedules to technical leaders and attended every rehearsal to record blocking notes.

She said the actors distinguished the production by bringing strong personalities to their roles. Larson particularly praised Hayden Schweiker, who played Wadsworth, for his improvisation during a late section of the show.

Astro Baxter, who portrayed murder suspect Mrs. White, said taking on an unfamiliar role brought nerves that disappeared upon reaching the stage. The escalating absurdity also created another challenge: resisting the urge to laugh during the final scenes.

Rapid changes of location were handled with rolling set modules. As the script moved quickly between rooms, one platform could carry the kitchen offstage while another brought in the study. Reid said watching those transitions come together was especially enjoyable.

The demanding pace required the ensemble to remain fully engaged with one another and the unfolding mystery. Baxter said the show worked only when everyone experienced the story as though it were happening for the first time.

For Baxter, that shared commitment created an unusual sense of connection among the performers—one that made “Clue” feel as though it had found the cast, rather than the other way around.