So why did they go with Clue?
"Because murder mystery and dinner theatre seem to go together," said John Fiorenza, director.
"Clue is a board game that we all played as children and as young adults that gave us hours and hours of fun," said Fiorenza. "It's very suspenseful, the cast is unbelievable, and our interpretation is also based on the contemporary children's version."
The show brings to life some of the world's best-known mystery suspects, such as the seductive Miss Scarlet and the cunning Mr. Green. The production even invites the audience members to play along, and with 216 possible endings, it continues to be a brand new show every night.
Suspicious men
Fiorenza is also doing double duty for the production as he takes on the role of the intriguing Professor Plum.
"I auditioned myself for Prof. Plum and then I gave myself a callback," joked Fiorenza. "I was very gracious about accepting the role."
Although performing two important roles for the production, Fiorenza has been able to successfully carry out all of his duties, especially with the help of the cast and crew.
"I find myself enjoying the role very much, and I am enjoying working with this cast," said Fiorenza. "I have never seen a cast so close-knit in such a short time. We have become very good friends."
But who could the guilty party be?
Maybe it's the illustrious war veteran Col. Mustard, played by Park Players newcomer John "Jack" Kennedy.
"I wanted to try it; I had auditioned for another show before, but they wound up not doing it," said Kennedy, who has been doing mostly commercial work for the last 12 years and other stage productions. "I didn't know if I could still move or sing, but they found a place for the old man."
Rounding out the male suspects is the "sultan of the stock market and king of commodities," Mr. Green, played by Tom Thiel.
"It's been enjoyable," said Thiel. "A nice balance between work ethic and maintaining a certain amount of fun."
Femme fatales
Playing the part of Mrs. White is Joe Conklin, one of the founding fathers of the Park Players and retired teacher from Woodrow Wilson School in Union City. Conklin's ultimate interpretation of the character has her as a younger Mrs. Doubtfire with an accent reminiscent of My Fair Lady.
"It's a small bugger; they all think she's a bit dimwitted, but she is quite observant," said Conklin in the voice of his stage persona. "She could also be the one who is instrumental in solving the crime and putting blame on the others."
"I don't think there will be another Mrs. White like her/him," said Fiorenza.
Of course it's not just the boys having all the fun in Clue.
Rounding off the mysterious cast are the leading ladies of Clue: Miss Scarlet, played by Nicole Exposito, and Mrs. Peacock, played by Natalya Brook.
"It's a very good role to do, and the music is so catchy," said Brook. "You hear it once and you get it. I have never had so much fun. No one is competing with each other; it's just a group project and we all depend on each other."
"I grew up with the Park Players," Exposito said. "It's like a family." Exposito performed as Annie with the group at the age of 8. "I like the role of Scarlet. She acts like kind of a tart, and that is not like me at all, but she's not as bimboish as she seems."
Exposito also doubles as the choreographer for the production.
Catch a Clue
Rounding out the cast is the evening's host and victim, Mr. Boddy, played by Lenny Free. There's the detective played by Tara Haight, and a man everyone should keep an eye on, John Traier, the pianist with many secrets.
"I become a key component in the solving of the mystery," said Traier.
Clue: The Musical made its theatrical debut off-Broadway in 1993 with a limited engagement of 29 performances. Although the initial production was subject to mixed reviews, it has continued to thrive, particularly among the community theatre circuit.
The musical is based on the popular board game CLUE, called CLUEDO in 71 other countries.
The 1993 musical was based on a story created by Peter De Pietro, a former Union City resident.
Clue is made up of about 15 musical numbers including a marionette performance with Mr. Boddy as the puppet master.
Lyrics were written by Tom Chiodo, and the music was written by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker, and Vinnie Martucci.
Audience involved
At the beginning of the performance, three randomly selected audience members select a card from the suspects.
The truth about which suspect is the murderer becomes clear even to the cast as they move along in the play directed by Mr. Boddy.
The Park Players promise it will be one killer evening.
For tickets call (201) 941-6030.
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