Theater Review – February 18, 2026

TIRED “CLUE” SPUTTERS AT ASU GAMMAGE

“Clue Live On Stage!”
Broadway Across America – Arizona, ASU Gammage
Tempe, AZ

By Chris Curcio
Theater Critic

Three popular murder-mystery-thriller-spoofs exist – “Noises Off,” “The Play That Goes Wrong,” and “Clue.”  They’ve all been around quite awhile and this week “Clue” marks its return in a tired touring production stopping at ASU Gammage.

Each play has its own distinctions and theatergoers often pick their personal favorite.  “Clue” is the worst of the group as it relies on gimmicks, characterizations, plus plot twists and turns that the other two shows handle with more elan.  “Clue” uses cliché after cliché expecting audiences to guffaw and act entranced as the plot plays out exactly as you suspect from the opening moments.

To have a successful production of such an overexposed work, “Clue” must be briskly paced and have spot-on comically clever performances.  This production moves swiftly as the staging by Casey Hushion digs up every tired bit used in mystery plays for years.  While the cast works hard, they bring nothing new or different to these roles which fall distinctly into this genre’s extremely recognizable personages.

Each play also mandates that audiences understand every plot nuance so they must comprehend each word of dialogue so they can guess “who-dun-it.”  If lyrics are missed, the show sputters on and audiences can’t guess the perpetrator(s).  So, presenting “Clue” in a space like ASU Gammage, which doesn’t boast strong acoustics even for big musicals, is problematic and “Clue’s” sound system falters badly.  Good thing if you know the plot well.  And this “Clue” production, while typical and not ready to set any new or interesting staging turns, plays as expected.  No surprises!

“Clue” runs an hour-and-a-half without intermission, so you are in and out quickly.  The set and costumes aren’t anything special and don’t represent a 1954 New England manor house well.  Sight-lines are a challenge to some of the audience.

Of the cast, Adam Brett, as the house butler Wadsworth, is the strongest and plays the silly comedy with a bit of finesse.  No one else stands out as they fall prey to stereotypical interpretations you expect.

Why is such a weary murder mystery included in the Broadway Across America – Arizona series?  Plays are fine if they can be understood and if they have something interesting to offer audiences.  “Clue” doesn’t offer anything.  It continues through Sunday, February 22.  To order tickets, call the ASU Gammage box office at 480-965-3434 or order tickets online at www.asugammage.com.

Grade: C

The 2026/27 Broadway Across America – Arizona series will be announced on March 2.  It looks like the season will contain touring productions of several recent Broadway musicals, some hits and some not, including “Water for Elephants,” “The Great Gatsby,” “The Outsiders,” “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Operation Mincemeat,” “Maybe Happy Ending,” and perhaps the touring play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.”  “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Hadestown” may return but let’s hope they are options for season ticket buyers.  We will see how my list compares to the final schedule.