The Ovation Theater play for ‘Clue’

October 20 – With so many unknowns in the world these days, it might be nice to enjoy a good thriller with some resolution – and some laughs to boot. Amateur sleuths can start the investigation this weekend with “Clue” at the Ovation Theater.

Director Laurie Howlett said the show is, above all, a lot of fun.

“It’s quick, it’s quick – a little role play,” she said.

Howlett is a complete fan of “Clue,” from the board game she last played with her 14-year-old grandson on vacation to the beloved 1985 cult classic with Tim Curry and all the stage versions in between. of them.

“I think I have seen everything that has been produced from ‘Clue’ in Bakersfield over the past 20 years.”

This is Howlett’s first show at Ovation and she was thrilled to be working in a new theater with people she has known for a long time. She was also excited to be working with a new script, which is still based on the film but was rewritten in 2017.

“It’s much better than the old script,” she said. “It’s smart and fast with more up-to-date references, topical references.”

Beyond the material, she knew her cast of seasoned performers would deliver the murderous comedy.

“It’s just a team of pros bringing their A-game to the scene. It makes it easy.”

The cast includes a number of Ovation executives, including Jason McClain as Wadsworth the Butler, Hal Friedman as Professor Plum, and Adam Cline as Mr. Green. Cline’s wife, Terri, stars as the mysterious widow Mrs. White, while the dinner is completed by Bethany Rowlee as Miss Scarlet, Mark Prow as Colonel Mustard and Rosie Ayala as Mrs. Peacock.

The set also includes Erica Ueberroth as Yvette the Maid and Jennifer Prow, Tim Fromm and Austin Cline.

“I’m thrilled with the cast,” Howlett said. “They are seasoned actors who bring a lot to the table. The rehearsals were just great from the start, but the minute they got out of the book, got their scripts out of their hands, they just got more physical – there has a lot of physics in this show – and it just got better and better. “

The story continues

Along with their performances, each had to dress the role as a whole in the appropriate hues.

Costume designer Becky Ingle said she was very interested in the color story of “Clue”.

She said: “Growing up playing the game, it is the most distinct thing about the game. Let them be named after whatever color they wear.”

“It’s something that they kind of ignored in the movie. It didn’t suit me and it was something I wanted the opportunity to rectify on stage.”

Beyond the distinctive colors, she wanted to extend the sartorial symbolism with distinct materials and textures. This includes Miss Scarlet in a velvet dress, Mr. Green in tweed, Professor Plum in cashmere with foil accents, and Colonel Mustard in canvas.

Ingle said she thought she would have the most fun finding the costume for Ms. Peacock (“I have blue hair and I love the color.”) But ultimately it is Ms. White, whose costume features leather accents.

“There is controversy as to whether she should wear black or white, so I made a Cruella de Vil on her.”

Some costumes had to be doubled to allow for some stage magic as guests figure out who did what and to whom and with what weapon. She said the crew joked that the lined suits were “what you ordered on wish.com”.

She said, “They’re not super visible. They just have to read like this character.”

Howlett, who praised Ingle’s work as well as the set design by McClain and his team, which includes projections to represent the many rooms in the Boddy Mansion, said she looked forward to audiences enjoying the everyone’s hard work.

“I would like them to have a fun, lighter night at the theater. I would like them to remember the classic Clue board game.

“It’s a fabulous translation of the board game into a real thing.”

Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on Twitter at @realstefanidias.