Arts Council to present 'Clue: On Stage'
The Philadelphia-Neshoba County Arts Council is set to launch its 2024-2025 season of shows with a “Clue: On Stage” production at the Ellis this week.
“Clue: On Stage” is a murder-mystery farce based on the popular board game Clue, adapted from the 1985 film.
Showtimes are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.
The play is directed by Penny Hardy, a longtime member of the Arts Council.
Hardy, no stranger to the stage, has starred in several productions and made her directorial debut at the Ellis in 1998 with “Right Bed, Wrong Husband,” alongside her husband, Andy. They also co-directed “Arsenic and Old Lace” in 2000. She has been involved with the PNC since 1992.
With her children now older and more free time on her hands, Hardy gladly accepted Arts Council President Kinsey Goldman’s invitation to direct “Clue.”
“It’s been a lot of work and definitely challenging, but the cast is outstanding,” Hardy said. “People are going to love this play—we’re going to have some great laughs. No matter how many times I watch it, I still laugh every time.”
According to Hardy, the right people showed up to audition. Even those who didn’t get a major part have stepped up by helping backstage, running lines, and designing the set.
Kim Kilpatrick, who will portray Miss Scarlet, painted the sets, while students from Mrs. Childs’ engineering class at Neshoba Central built the weapons used in the play with a 3D printer.
The production will feature a few newcomers, such as Emily Walker as the Singing Telegram Girl, Krista Cotton as the Cook, Jeff Stewart from “The Stew Daddy Morning Show” as Mr. Boddy, and Philadelphia Police Eric Lyons, suitably, as the Chief of Police.
Other cast members include Craig Stevens as Wadsworth, Jackson Lovorn as Colonel Mustard, Brandon Davidson as Professor Plum, Andrea Moore as Mrs. White, Tonya Hancock as Mrs. Peacock, Nelwyn Brantley as the Newscaster, Angel Weems as Yvette, Roger Amos as the Motorist, and Nicole Henley as the Cop.
Hardy believes the audience will be impressed by the number of lines the cast has memorized and the effort they’ve put into the production.
She’s also eager for everyone to experience the Ellis Theater’s “old manor” atmosphere.
“It’s definitely been a group effort,” Hardy said. “Everyone in the cast has brought their ideas and talents and have worked to make this a successful production. They’ve all been a tremendous help to me.”
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $15 for Arts Council members and students. The play is suitable for both young and older adults and features occasional situational humor.
Tickets can be purchased at the Ellis Theater Box Office or by calling (601) 653-5358.