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
Announcing the Next Act Legacy Society, Theatre Lawrence’s planned giving program. Download the Gift Intention Form to become a Charter Member.
Theatre Lawrence is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven Development Director to help advance our mission through fundraising, donor engagement, sponsorships, grants, and special events. As a key member of the leadership team, the Development Director will lead contributed revenue efforts, build and steward relationships with donors and community partners, and help strengthen Theatre Lawrence’s long-term financial sustainability. The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator, an effective relationship-builder, and someone who is passionate about the arts and the impact of community theatre. Qualifications Candidates should have professional experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, communications, arts administration, or a related field. Experience with sponsorships, grants, event-based fundraising, and donor stewardship is strongly preferred. Compensation & Benefits The salary range for this position is $60,000–$70,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include health care, PTO and holidays, professional development opportunities, a theatre ticket stipend, and a flexible work schedule. How to Apply Please submit a resume and cover letter to Executive Director, Jamie Ulmer at julmer@theatrelawrence.com . Applications will be reviewed beginning April 10, 2026. For a full list of responsibilities and qualifications, please see the complete job description.
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