Many of us played the board game Clue as kids, while others may recall the 1985 film classic with Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Eileen Brennan, Madeline Kahn, and others, which famously had three endings. Now, with the new stage production on tour, which ending they'll use is anyone's guess.
The Seattle stop in July at the historic 5th Avenue Theatre seems unusual, since this production isn't a musical, but the theater staged the musical Something's Afoot last spring to generate excitement for the Clue tour.
During my research on the touring cast, Jonathan Spivey stood out, and it was an extra delight that he is a member of the LGBTQ+ community. We recently spoke over Zoom, and excerpts of our conversation follow.
On the audition
"I'm new to Clue. This iteration has been around for about five years, I think. While a handful of actors have been with it from the beginning, I'm not one of them. Most actors in our production have done some form of Clue, but there are two or three others like me who are brand-new to it.
"I didn't grow up playing the game or watching the movie religiously; I had only seen clips. So, I auditioned. This version was widely produced regionally, possibly the most popular high school and college script around 2021 or 2022, finally surpassing Almost, Maine.
"I had auditioned regionally before but had never been cast, though I was familiar with the script. When the tour audition came up, I joked with my agent, 'Do I need to go? Won't they just use actors the director has worked with before?' They said, 'No, you need to go.'
"I'm really happy it worked out. It was a typical audition process, probably starting with a tape, then an in-person callback around Thanksgiving. Rehearsals began at the end of January."
On his first tour
"This is my first tour. I've done extensive regional theater across the country, which is quite different from touring. In regional theater, you're usually in one town for about eight weeks: three to four weeks of rehearsal, a month of shows, and then you go home. You really get to know the place — nightlife, culture, and the locals.
"On tour, it's unpredictable. Sometimes you're in Florida for three weeks, other times you're jumping across the country weekly, arriving Monday, performing Tuesday through Sunday, and moving on the next Monday. That's how most tours are now. A week gives you a taste of the city, but I miss the two-month immersion. Despite the airport routines, traveling and experiencing so much of the country in a year is truly thrilling."
On the best and worst parts
"The best part, despite not growing up watching the movie religiously, was discovering the stage version. It's been a surprise, almost like Rocky Horror, with fans showing up in costume across every city, sharing their deep affection for it. For instance, in New Jersey, a college friend I hadn't seen in 15 years came with his wife, recalling how it was their first date movie.
"However, touring presents challenges, particularly with varied audience reactions. Some jokes resonate differently depending on the city, revealing regional differences. There are a few subtly suggestive jokes that elicit diverse responses, reflecting the audience's comfort levels. In larger markets like Minneapolis, they're uproarious, while in more conservative areas, the reception may be more reserved and cautious.
"Navigating these dynamics is like conducting a social study alongside the show, adapting to diverse demographics while maintaining the production's integrity."
On his dream suspect
"That's a tough choice. I'm currently playing Plum and understudying Wadsworth, but if I had to pick another character, it would likely be Mrs. Peacock. She has the best costume: a stunning purple ensemble with extravagant jewelry. I've never done drag before, but I secretly fantasize about playing a version of Mrs. Peacock as an older, self-assured socialite. Eileen Brennan portrayed her in the movie, but in our production, Joanna Glushak, a Broadway veteran who was Bernadette Peters' original understudy in Sunday in the Park with George, brings her to life with incredible humor."
Victim or villain?
"I'm not avoiding your question, but I'd have to say both. This applies to both TV and theater roles. I enjoy the therapeutic release of playing a character who cries their guts out in front of an audience. However, if I had to pick one, I'd choose the perpetrator. There's a thrill in portraying the bad guy — I find it fun and challenging. Those roles offer more complexity and depth compared to roles where you're a victim. Being reactive versus driving the action — it's a fascinating dynamic. I'm not sure what that says about me, but if I had to choose, I'd lean toward playing the murderer."
Spivey and the rest of the fine cast of Clue are at the 5th Avenue Theatre July 9—21. For ticket info, go https://www.5thavenue.org