Upcoming Mariposa Arts Theatre Production Happening Soon
by submitted
Mariposa Arts Theatre (MAT) invites audiences to enjoy an evening of mystery, mayhem, and laughter with their upcoming production of CLUE, based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and written by Sandy Rustin, at the Orillia Opera House from April 9–19, 2026.
It’s a dark and stormy night, and you’ve been invited to a very unusual dinner party. Each of the guests has an alias, the butler offers a variety of weapons, and the host is… well, dead. So, whodunit?
Based on the cult-classic Clue from Paramount Pictures and the popular Hasbro board game, Clue is a madcap comedy that will keep audiences guessing until the final twist. A Rollercoaster of hilarious twists and turns, “The play is a romp – a fast-paced farce from the first thunderclap to the final button,” explained director Stephen Bainborough.
The cast was selected from an outstanding group of auditioners who were asked not to prepare anything, but instead arrive with an improvisational spirit. Bainborough explained, “We approached this show in the world of ‘yes.’ Every idea was worthy of exploration. The cast embraced this challenge, and along the way we have had many laughs.”
The cast features both MAT alumni and some new faces. The production stars Adam Brooks as Wadsworth, the British butler and host; Kevin Scharf as Colonel Mustard, a dense military man; Alyssa LaPlume as Miss Scarlet, the dry and sardonic madam; Kris-John (KJ) Kucharik as Professor Plum, an arrogant academic; Stephen Dobby as Mr. Green, the anxious and klutzy rule-follower; Shannon Howes as Mrs. Peacock, who is batty, neurotic, and quick to hysteria; Stephanie Lamb as Mrs. White, a cold woman with a tragic and questionable past; and Ashley Legedza as Yvette, the provocative French maid.
Trevor Mills, Brad Kean, and Caitlin Robson take on multiple outlandish characters as part of the ensemble, while Christine Sinclair Ryner and Darren Summersby round out the cast as swings, and will play Yvette and Professor Plum, respectively, for the Thursday, April 16 understudy show.
Clue is a household name for many – whether from family game nights with the classic Hasbro board game or from the beloved 1985 film, written and directed by Jonathan Lynn, and starring Tim Curry as the iconic butler, Wadsworth.
Mariposa Arts Theatre brings these beloved characters to life on stage and hopes to “trigger a nostalgic wave,” as producer Phyllis Johnson described. While the show is driven by its hilarious and renowned characters, the set plays a major role as well.
The play takes place in Boddy Manor – an enormous mansion filled with secrets. Lead set designer and builder Brian Halbot is working closely with Bainborough to create a highly interactive, multi-room set that allows for quick, comedic transitions between classic rooms like the lounge, library, dining room, and study. Halbot is no stranger to technically challenging designs, as audiences will likely remember his “falling set” in MAT’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong in 2024.
Behind the scenes, MAT’s Clue is supported by a talented creative team, including Carol Sinclair (Costume Designer), Susan Mitchell and Dianne Richardson (Props), and Leigh Rawlins (Stage Manager), along with a backstage crew of set piece movers affectionately known as “Door Ninjas”.
Bainborough added, “We have solved the technical challenges with creativity and a spirit of playfulness. Our hope is that audiences can leave their troubles outside, find their seat, strap in, and enjoy the ride.”
So… will the killer be Colonel Mustard in the billiard room with the lead pipe? Or perhaps Mr. Green in the conservatory with the dagger?
Find out whodunit April 9–19 at the Orillia Opera House. Evening shows start at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Understudy show April 16. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased through the Orillia Opera House website or by calling the Box Office at 705-326-8011. Use discount code: GROUP10 online for groups of 10 or more tickets. To learn more, please visit: www.mariposaartstheatre.com/clue.)