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
I recently spent a week attending the American Association of Community Theatre’s biennial national festival. The main focus of the festival is performances by 12 shows selected through a series of state and regional festivals held around the country. But there’s much more to gatherings like this than just seeing shows. With workshops and exhibits, there’s always something new to learn—or something important to be reminded of. And of course, there are meetings—lots of meetings. I just wrapped up serving eight years on the organization’s board of directors. Most importantly, though, are the connections. In fact, that was one of the themes of the festival: “Theatre connects us all.” The hundreds of people in attendance represented the full range of community theatres, from small, all-volunteer organizations to multi-million-dollar institutions. Everyone shared the same connection—a passion for telling stories that strengthen our communities. Regardless of size or scope, we all face many of the same basic challenges. Whether in a formal workshop or a spontaneous conversation in the lobby, we came together to share, learn, and help each other thrive. You don’t have to attend a national festival to find that connection. You’ll feel it in the audience at events like our upcoming Penguin Project production of The Little Mermaid JR. , or with our Vintage Players and their reimagined annual showcase. We invite you to explore how you can become more involved at TL—perhaps by attending one of our upcoming volunteer open houses (details coming soon). It’s truly amazing what happens when we gather as a community to watch, play, and grow together. Theatre truly connects us all—and helps us all thrive—something we can all agree we need now more than ever. See you at the theatre, Jamie Ulmer Executive Director
What better way to kick off those laid-back summer vibes than with our season-closing musical, Escape to Margaritaville ? The music of Jimmy Buffett invites us to relax and enjoy ourselves—and let’s be honest, we could all use a little “License to Chill.” But what is it about Buffett and his music that inspired devoted fans, restaurants, resorts, and of course, a Broadway musical? Now, I’m no Parrothead, but it doesn’t take much to see the appeal. Buffett’s music blends multiple genres and sounds—country, rock, and Caribbean influences—that celebrate escapism, a relaxed attitude, and that unmistakable “beach life” feeling. His songs are relatable. We all want to find joy, freedom, and sometimes a little redemption, preferably with a dash of humor. It all adds up to a timeless appeal. Buffett’s music is custom-made for summer BBQs, sipping drinks poolside, or just taking a mental vacation in the middle of a hectic workday. That music, of course, led to an entire culture around being a Parrothead - Hawaiian shirts, margaritas, and chill vibes became the trademarks of devoted fans who try not to take life too seriously. And then there’s the business empire, which may contribute most to the enduring celebration of the “Buffett lifestyle,” even after his passing. He turned his persona into a brand—complete with restaurants, resorts (including one opening just down the road in a few weeks), and more. So now, it’s time to sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy your official start to summer. Enjoy the show, Jamie Ulmer Executive Director