Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem: Five performances, multiple endings, and one very dead Mr. Boddy
by Bethel University
McKENZIE, TENN — Bethel University's Renaissance theatrical company is bringing murder, mystery, and mayhem to the stage with its production of Clue, running at the Bethel University Performing Arts Center, housed in the historic former First Cumberland Presbyterian Church at the corner of Church and Stonewall streets on the following dates:
- Friday, April 10 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 11 at 7 p.m.
- Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are available online at www.bethelrenaissance.com/box-office.
A farcical whodunit that blends edge-of-your-seat suspense with slapstick comedy, cleverly crafted puns that earn every laugh, and physical humor, Clue is a production not to be missed. Set on a dark and stormy night in 1954 at Boddy Manor near Washington, D.C., six guests arrive under aliases: Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum, and Miss Scarlet. They soon discover they are all being blackmailed by their host, Mr. Boddy. When Boddy turns up dead, a chaotic race begins to identify the killer, the weapon, and the location. Bodies keep piling up (the Cook, a Motorist, a Cop, and a Singing Telegram Girl), and, like the beloved 1985 film, the play features multiple endings, meaning no two performances are guaranteed to resolve the same way.
A Show for Every Audience
Clue is a production well-suited to a wide range of audiences. Theatergoers familiar with the classic board game or the cult film will find plenty of knowing nods, while first-time audiences need no prior knowledge to follow the fast-moving plot. The combination of physical comedy, wordplay, and genuine mystery gives the show broad appeal, making it an accessible choice for families, students, and adult theatergoers alike. With five performances across two weekends, including a Saturday matinee on April 18, there are ample opportunities to attend.
"Beautifully produced and brilliantly acted — this is Bethel prestige at its finest," said Joel Washburn, Bethel Board Member and community theatergoer. "The entire cast is excellent, and Quinton Slater's performance as Wadsworth is absolutely riveting. This is a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish."
The Cast of the Renaissance Production of Clue
Quinton Slater leads the ensemble as Wadsworth, the uptight British butler and narrator who serves as the audience's guide through the mounting chaos. The six blackmailed guests are portrayed by Nathan Salvador (Mr. Green), Cooper Neely (Professor Plum), Jayden Hendricks (Colonel Mustard), Grace Barber (Miss Scarlet), Caraline Callahan (Mrs. Peacock), and Grace Brown (Mrs. White). Haylie Bowien plays Yvette, the French maid, and Braylen Sain appears as the ill-fated Mr. Boddy.
The ensemble is rounded out by Zowie Tipton (The Cook), Bailey Covington (Singing Telegram Girl), Izsabella Orchard (Motorist), Townes Boyd (Cop), Kaleb Sons (Chief), Blake Bell (Newscaster/Cop), and Michael Lowery (McCarthy/Cop). The size and range of the cast reflects the demands of a script that keeps nearly everyone onstage and in motion for much of the performance.
The Production
The staging presents a notable technical challenge: conveying the many rooms of Boddy Manor, including the Study, Library, and Kitchen, within a single performance space. The production addresses this through rolling set pieces, a revolving stage, moving walls, and hidden passageways, all of which serve the farcical rhythm of the script by allowing scenes to shift quickly and actors to appear and disappear with comedic precision.
Original music composed by Michael Holland accompanies the action throughout, functioning both as underscore during tense moments and as a tonal counterpoint during the play's more comedic sequences.
"Clue is one of those rare scripts that demands everything from a cast and crew simultaneously," said Aubrey Doyle, Director of Renaissance Theatre. "The comedy only works if the timing is precise, the staging is seamless, and every actor is fully committed. What this company has built is something I think audiences are really going to enjoy, whether they know the story by heart or are walking in completely fresh."
Whether you're a longtime fan of the board game, a devotee of the 1985 film, or simply looking for a night of sharp comedy and genuine suspense, Bethel Renaissance's Clue promises an evening of theatrical fun the whole audience can enjoy. Tickets are available at www.bethelrenaissance.com/box-office.