Let's solve a murder - fun for the whole family
Jamie Ulmer • April 22, 2025
Nothing says "fun family night" like solving a murder.
Judging by the enduring popularity of the board game Clue, one could surmise that’s exactly the case. The 1985 movie, while not a hit at the time, has since become a cult classic. This stage adaptation has proven to be a success for theatres across the country. So, we must deduce that solving a murder is fun.
The evidence backs this up. The board game, conceived in the UK in 1943, was originally called Cluedo—a play on words combining “clue” and the Latin word ludo, meaning “I play.” Due to wartime shortages, the game wasn’t produced commercially until 1949. When released in the U.S., the Latin wordplay was dropped, and it became simply Clue, distributed by Parker Brothers. The game continues to be produced and updated, but the basic premise has remained the same.
The 1985 film featured an all-star cast of comedic actors, including Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, and Christopher Lloyd. It famously had three different endings, and which one you saw depended on the theater you attended. Though it wasn’t a financial success at the time, it has since developed a major cult following.
In 2017, the first version of this stage play debuted, drawing heavily from the 1985 film. The script has undergone several revisions and adaptations through 2021. The show has proven wildly popular, often landing on lists of the most-produced plays in community, professional, and academic theatres.
It’s also popular with actors—our auditions saw the largest turnout for a play in many years!
So what makes it so beloved? It’s a combination of many factors: the familiar title and premise, the classic over-the-top characters, and the chance to don our detective hats and solve a mystery. It creates a kind of “comfort food” feel. We know what to expect, we can relax and enjoy the ride, and maybe even pat ourselves on the back when we think we've solved the mystery before the characters do.
Sometimes, you just need to take a break and enjoy some good, old-fashioned fun—solving a murder.
Enjoy the show!
Jamie Ulmer
Executive Director
Theatre Lawrence News & Announcements
The Theatre Lawrence family is deeply saddened by the loss of our friend Louise ImMasche , who was killed in a car accident on Friday, October 24, following a performance of The Rocky Horror Show . Louise was an immensely talented performer who lit up every room and filled the stage with remarkable energy and charisma. They were kind, generous, and caring - making anyone they shared the stage with feel welcomed and accepted for who they are. Louise appeared in many Theatre Lawrence productions, including Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors , Adam/Felicia in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert , Max in Lend Me a Tenor , and Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid . In addition to performing on stage, they appeared in several fundraisers and volunteered at the theatre, including ushering. Louise was particularly proud to have played Hedwig in last year’s production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch , and was currently appearing for the fifth time as Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show . We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from individuals and organizations across the country. It is often said that theatre is a family, and we have truly felt the embrace of our extended theatre family during this difficult time. Thank you. A celebration of Louise’s life will be held at the theatre on Friday, Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. "All in attendance are invited to wear something colorful and sparkly." Complete obituary here . On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers of Theatre Lawrence, we extend our deepest condolences to Louise’s husband, Zak, their family, friends, and all who knew and loved them. For those who are unable to attend Louise's Celebration of Life in person, we have created a Zoom link that anyone interested can register for and you will be sent a private link to livestream the event. Here's the registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../reg.../WN_og0oMAz5QGyL-l04cXt6Hg
What a night! Theatre Lawrence was rocking a nearly sold out house on October 10 as the Beatles tribute band Yesterday & Today brought down the house at our 2025 Benefit Concert. From the great music, to a surprise wedding proposal, the energy in the room was electric! Thanks to the incredible generosity of our audience, sponsors, and donors, the evening raised approximately $61,000 in net proceeds, with more than $31,000 contributed through the Raise the Paddle for The Penguin Project —our program empowering young artists with special needs to shine on stage. Guests enjoyed great music, delicious food and drinks, and a joyful celebration of community and the arts. We’re grateful to everyone who made it possible—our volunteers, sponsors, and the amazing crowd who filled the theatre with joy and Beatles love! Check out the full photo gallery.
A snapshot of a typical Tuesday at Theatre Lawrence—where auditions, classes, outreach, and performances bring our community to life all at once.