Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...In essence, “Clue” is a revamp of the 1985 movie, famous for releasing different endings to different theaters. But that film is just one entry in the huge “Clue” franchise of spinoff TV shows, books, even jigsaw puzzles; this licensed stage show, not to confused with the short-lived live musical, actually presents all the possible endings to the mystery in its finale, rather than changing things every night a la “The Mystery of Edwin Drood.” Which, frankly, feels weird."
Chicago Sun Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...Director L. Walter Stearns has an ensemble that absolutely commits to the inanity, even when the script itself starts to make The Three Stooges sound like they are spouting Tom Stoppard by comparison. In this story, the guiding sensibility is "more is more." If one pratfall is funny, five are five times as funny. If shrieking at 10 decibels is funny, everybody screaming at 10 times the volume is hilarious."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...While the movie famously sent alternate endings to different theaters, the play chooses to address all outcomes sequentially, ratcheting back up the momentum after a bit of a lag midway. Like the game, it’s a good indoor amusement with just enough intrigue to keep you on your toes."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...Many people who came to Mercury Theater weren't born when the 1943 British board game Cluedo was designed by Anthony E. Pratt. Known as Clue in the United States, this murder mystery game where up to six players can participate in determining who murdered the game's victim; wasn't manufactured until 1947 when three brothers named George, Charles, and Edward, the Parkers Brothers, brought the famous game to the states. Made into a movie in 1985 and written as a musical in 1993 by Peter DePietor — Mercury Theater's Clue (based on the film), adapted from the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and written by Sandy Rustin, is both suspenseful and hilarious."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Directed to perfection by L. Walter Stearns who has assembled a cast that is sheer perfection. In fact, several of the actors appear to be playing roles that were written with them in mind. The story is set in the 1950’s. It is a dark and stormy night. Six people arrive at the home of one Robert Boddy. As they arrive we start to see the strange story unfold. It is a special dinner party and all are greeted by the butler, Wadsworth ( an amazing portrayal by Mark David Kaplan) who is truly the person who makes this work as well as it does. I don’t want to give away to much of the story or the characters within, but will tell you that this is probably the funniest that Kaplan has ever been."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...With the Autumn opening of this tantalizing, twisted comedic murder mystery, based upon the 1985 film, which was in turn based upon the popular Hasbro/Parker Brothers’ board game, Mercury Theater Chicago has a mega hit whodunit on its hands. I mean, this is a drop-dead, bonafide beauty of a black comedy. It’s guaranteed to produce thrills, chills, goosebumps and uncontrollable laughter for the entire 90 minutes of its uninterrupted mayhem."
Buzznews.net - Highly Recommended
"...Just like Tim Curry in the film version, Mark David Kaplan as Wadsworth the butler steals the show, his expressions and physicality leading us down the fun and thrilling corridors of the mansion he mans. Wadsworth welcomes six guests for an evening of mystery and murder, and each character brings the mayhem."
The Fourth Walsh - Recommended
"...Director L. Walter Stearns orchestrates the mayhem on Scenic Designer Bob Knuth’s versatile set. Multiple rooms is key to the mystery. And Knuth impressively shows relocation by sliding walls, shifting furniture and changing out decor. Stearns utilizes Knuth’s dynamic chambers and multiple doors for chases and murder misdirection. At one point, the energetic cast creates comedic calamity by dashing in and out of rooms while carrying Clue game pieces."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...It’s still deathly good fun, and you’re probably not going to find a tighter comic ensemble anywhere else this fall. In particular, the casting of Jonah Winston as the buffoonish Colonel Mustard and McKinley Carter as the black widow ice queen Mrs. White is as inspired as it was perhaps obvious."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...Clue is a show seemingly predestined to get a production at Mercury Theatre. The venerable house on Southport, which of late has been staging one excellent show after another (including this summer’s wonderful production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert), always seems to find shows that are almost absurdly entertaining and often a bit off the beaten path. Clue is just such a show, a sassy, silly play without a single serious bone in its body (or Boddy, which is the downright ridiculous name of the first victim in this comic murder mystery farce). Expect a lot of puns, visual humor, sexual humor, and over-the-top characterizations: this play is basically one laugh after another, seemingly written with the motto, “throw everything out there and enough of it will land to make for a grand time.”"
Picture This Post - Highly Recommended
"...If you’re a fan of the original movie, this production of Clue would be a good fit for you. Even those who aren’t fans but still love a good ensemble show with lots of jokes and physical comedy would also find this show to be a fun night out."
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...Murder, mystery, mayhem and more! Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie, which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, “Clue” is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery."
BroadwayWorld - Highly Recommended
"...Mercury Theater's CLUE is a comedic delight of a production. The laughs flow freely and easily in this stage adaptation of the farce-meets-murder-mystery based on the iconic 1985 film by Jonathan Lynn and Sandy Rustin, with new material from Hunter Foster and Eric Price, and original music from Michael Holland. Director L. Walter Stearns's ensemble lands each and every moment, maximizing the laughs but maintaining the integrity. These actors understand the assignment of both farce and murder mystery: The characters in CLUE take themselves and the outrageous situations of the play deeply seriously, and the ensemble finds the comedy in playing those truths. It's a near masterclass in how farce should be performed."