Hoosiers better be ready to solve a mystery, as the Broadway National Tour of “Clue” is set to take the stage at Old National Centre April 14-19.
“Clue,” the parody whodunnit based on the 1985 cult film, is making a stop at Old National Centre as part of the Broadway National Tour. The Recorder sat down with actress, singer and Howard University alumna Camille Capers ahead of opening night to learn more about what it takes to go onstage as the glamorous femme fatale Miss Scarlet.
Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
CLUE has developed a bit of a cult following from the film and board game. What is it like to be part of such a notorious and timeless production?
Camille Capers: It’s really exciting. I love how big a fan base Clue has, and I love when we come to do the show, and there are people in costume, and you meet people at the stage or who grew up (playing) the board game and who know the quotes from the movie. It’s just really, really fun to be a part of something that’s so beloved.
Miss Scarlet is an iconic and glamorous character. How did you approach making her your own while still honoring what audiences expect from “CLUE?”
Capers: I did watch the movie in preparation for it, but there were a lot of inspirations I drew from to create this character. I loved watching older movies and studying the way the women spoke back then, and just the glamor girls of the ‘50s, and how they talked and how they carried themselves, and how they did their makeup. … I loved Leslie Warren’s portrayal, but there are other characters all over the place that I feel like I kind of just took many different aspects or created something that I feel is uniquely like my version of Miss Scarlet.
This show is known for its quick pacing and physical comedy. Did you run into any challenges or learn anything about yourself as an actress in the process of developing that rhythm?
Capers: It’s so challenging doing something like this. The pace is very fast, and the rhythm is very important in the show, because of the way the dialogue flows and everything. I’ve never done something like this before, so it was a big challenge in rehearsals. But thankfully, Casey (Hushion), our director, is so kind and patient and was willing to work with us on everything. I just learned that I’m capable of doing something like this. … I was very proud to see myself overcome those challenges for sure.
What is your favorite scene or moment in the show and why?
Capers: Oh my gosh, that’s a hard one. I like the study one in the beginning, which is the scene where we’re all kind of getting to know these characters, why they’re being blackmailed, who they are, and what their crime is to make them end up in Boddy Manor. I just think it’s a really funny and well-written scene, and it’s fun for the audience to kind of get to know, okay, what bad thing have all of these people done?
“CLUE” is also known for its alternate endings. Without giving too much away, what can Hoosiers expect from the run here in Indy?
Capers: I think people are going to just really enjoy the end of the show. I can’t give away too much, but the way we do it is really, really fun, and the audience always tends to enjoy it. So yeah, it’s going to be a really exciting conclusion to the show, but I think that’s all I can say.
As one of, if not the only, Black cast members in this show, do you have any feelings about being able to represent a different version of Miss Scarlet — especially with the time period the show takes place in and the way theater has adapted over the years?
Capers: I think that it’s so exciting as a Black woman to get to take on a role like this, to play someone who is just in the ‘50s, which is a time when we were being so discriminated against. She’s just very empowered, fun, confident and knows who she is, and she’s very feminine and glamorous. I love getting to be able to portray that. It’s like you said, theater has changed a lot over the years to the point where we’re able to play roles like this now and enter our authentic selves into roles like this, where I feel like it used to be very limited for us as women of color.
I’m loving getting to see … not even just being able to do this show, but looking around and seeing all the amazing Black women who are playing every role out there in the theater. We see Black women doing Shakespeare, doing opera, doing all kinds of things that previously … we weren’t able to.
What do you hope audiences take away from having spent an evening watching this ridiculous, fast-paced whodunnit?
Capers: I love seeing the way people leave the theater so happy. I love it when you can catch a glimpse out into the audience — not on purpose, but sometimes you just see an audience, people smiling, laughing and having a good time. I love that we’re able to bring so much joy. I think the world can be a difficult place, so I’m glad we’re able to bring people joy. Just have fun, enjoy the characters and the comedy, and have a good rest of your night.
“CLUE” is onstage April 14-19 at the Murat Theatre at Old National Center, 502 N. New Jersey St. The show is approximately 80 minutes with one intermission. “CLUE” is recommended for audiences aged 12 and up and contains smoke, haze and gunshot sound effects.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit broadwayinindianapolis.com.
This article was written by Indianapolis Recorder reporter Chloe McGowan.