“Clue: the Musical” cast detects murder and mayhem for Marlboro

MARLBORO COUNTY — A crime has been committed in Marlboro County! One so dastardly in its intrigue law enforcement remains powerless to solve it. Yes, a murder most foul has occurred, and the cast of the Marlboro Players are desperate for the armchair detecting talents of residents to help them solve the case plaguing the Marlboro County Civic Center, now transformed into the set of Clue: The Musical.

This one-of-a-kind show will be sneaking into the theater October 16-18, and starting every night at 7 p.m., a suspect will put their life-ending plan into action and audience members must then unmask the killer, the room where the crime happened, and the murder weapon used. These last three are fluid and will change with every showing, making this play as interactive as it is fun and captivating.

“We are so excited about Clue. We have so much talent in this cast, two of our actors are only in ninth grade,” says Heather Midgley, a member of the board.

Director Emmie Beck agrees, and with over 30 years of directing experience behind her, she would know.

“This cast is amazing. We really do have a lot of talent to draw from,” she praised. Beck previously worked with the Newberry Opera House before being snapped up by the Marlboro Players.

Stephanie Jones, who plays Mrs. Peacock, said she loves performing.

“I had so much fun in the last play, I knew I wanted to do it again,” says Jones, who first performed at the Civic Center in the theater’s rendition of Steel Magnolias. “I am really excited about having a singing part,” she adds.

Viva Lang who plays Colonel Mustard with a fabulous mustache, says she has been acting for the last five to six years, including in past musicals such as the Sound of Music.

“What I love about acting is the ability to be whomever you want to and making it believable to the audience. That can be hard,” says Lang. When it comes to learning lines, Lang says the catchy tunes of a musical can assist with keeping the right words flowing.

Sarah Crouch plays the part of Mrs. White and enjoys the change from a traditionally happy role to one a little more angry.

“I love acting, it is so much fun for me. I love the character of White because she is so angry. She is unrefined and grimy- she is a lot of fun to play around with,” says Crouch, who adds another aspect of her character she enjoys is the opportunity to employ an accent.

Cameron Freeman is Mr. Green, and he says for him, acting is his dream.

Even though Clue is his first show, Freeman says, “I’m kinda nervous, but I am really doing okay. I haven’t had any trouble with memorizing my lines and I am definitely comfortable with singing.”

Amanda King plays the character of Professor Plum, and Freeman credits her with giving him the inspiration and confidence to try out for the play. An old hand at the theater herself, King’s last role was in Fiddler on the Roof.

“I love acting so I am comfortable with whatever role I am chosen for,” says King. “This is a really great theater, people, and community. I love it here.”

Miss Scarlet is played by Ajoia McRae, who’s castmates say is a perfect fit for the role.

Commanding each night’s hijinks is Mr. Boddy, played by Jacob Orr.

“I have been involved in acting for the last 30 years,” says Orr, who was in a traveling drama troupe in college that toured the Southeast. Orr says he was first bit by the acting bug around the age of eleven when he performed in the Sound of Music in the Marion and Dillon County areas. “This is a very interactive and fun play. I am excited to see how the mystery changes each night,” he added.

Representing the law, Jane Rogers is working double duty as head seamstress for the cast and performing as the Detective.

“This is my first time having lines. I have been in chorus and maybe yelled out a line here and there, but this is my first time with lines to learn and speak,” says Rogers, who has spent the last 25 years behind the stage busily sewing the costumes that make the show.

Rogers says she got involved in costume design through her kids and often works with the Marlboro Player’s other talented seamstress, Carolyn Andrews.

“This group and cast are so much fun and so talented. Everyone is fabulous and I think it is amazing to see we have so much talent here in Marlboro. Everyone really needs to come check this one out because Clue is going to be really special,” said Rogers.

Music for Clue is in the expert hands of the Marlboro Players musical maestro Don Greene, who has roughly thirty years of experience. Set design stands out when entering the auditorium for Clue, perfectly setting the stage for a night of mystery and mayhem at the Civic Center. This exquisite attention to detail is credited to Hampton Hubbard.

The Marlboro Players perform only twice a year, their next performance being sometime in mid-March. Tickets for Clue: The Musical goes on sale at the Civic Center October 13; adult tickets are $15 and tickets for children 12 & under are $10.