Clue

I remember vividly my first encounter with Theatre Orangeville's Young Company. It was the summer after my family had moved to the Orangeville area; the Young Company was presenting The Hobbit. Sitting in that audience, watching a group of talented young people create theatrical magic (the Smaug dragon puppet was a highlight!), I thought: "I'm doing this next year!"

Cut to nearly two decades later—after performing in, assistant directing, and directing dozens of Young Company productions—and I have the great joy and privilege to direct this fabulous group of young people in Clue.

As a kid, I was always fascinated by the board game. My family copy was old (nowadays "vintage") and I couldn't get enough of the iconic characters. To this day, I find the characters on the box mesmerizing. Clue was distinct from many of the other games in that it stoked my imagination. Why did Professor Plum do it? What was Miss Scarlet's backstory? Where did Mrs. Peacock get the wrench?

This show, adapted from the 1985 movie, brings the game to life. It has all of my favourite theatrical ingredients: iconic characters, witty dialogue, breakneck pacing, twists and turns, a dollop of mystery, and a dash of slapstick.

This cast, as you'll see, knocks it out of the park. I've set the bar extraordinarily high from day one, and they've risen to the challenge.

Not only are they performing outside (with heat, wind, noise, and bugs), they are performing without a backstage, lighting, or sound effects. Once they enter the tent, they don't stop working until the end of the show. Whether through scenes on stage, manipulating props or set pieces, or supporting the story with foley, every single cast member is "on" the entire time.

Get ready for a group of spectacularly talented young people, in a tent, in a parking lot, surrounded by roads and fields, on the outskirts of Orangeville, to whisk you away on a whirlwind adventure full of murder, mystery, and hilarity.

Thank you to this splendid cast; the phenomenal production team; the magnificent creative team; and my Theatre Orangeville family. There's no place like home. As always, thanks to my family and Robyn for putting up with me. No, wait — thanks to everyone for putting up with me. 😉