Next week, get on board with the murder-mystery comedy Clue, opening Tuesday at Bass Concert Hall. Originally based on the board game that became a 1985 blockbuster movie, Clue is a high-stakes murder mystery comedy that promises laughs for the whole family.
“We get pretty kooky up there,” John Shartzer, who plays Mr. Green, said of the show. “Clue is such a big part of our pop culture. The board game was such a big staple to our families, so they’re pleasantly surprised that there are so many references to the board game.”
And while the play contains all the beloved lines from the movie, the 90-minute, intermission-free stage version delivers fast-paced excitement all of its own.
“We honor those who came before us,” Shartzer said, “but there’s a lot of new and exciting things to look forward to.”
One of the things Shartzer most looks forward to is sharing his version of Mr. Green with audiences across the country.
“He is an anxious rule follower, who — like the other guests — has a secret,” Shartzer said. “I have to go home every night and pry my shoulders down from my ears because he’s just so tense the whole time. He’s one of my favorite roles that I’ve placed so far.”
Shartzer’s other favorite roles include one of his first ever acting jobs after moving to LA in 2010. He landed a role as Perp No. 4 in the Brooklyn99 episode titled “DFW” in which a police lineup turns into a singalong of the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way.” One of the most popular episodes of the series, the scene went on to be retweeted by Mark Hamil and the Backstreet Boys themselves filmed their own version of it.
“Did I peak at Brooklyn-99?” Shartzer joked. “Did I peak with Perp No. 4?”
Teasing aside, that was only the beginning for Shartzer, who has also starred in a variety of roles, including parts in “Dahmer” and “Grace & Frankie.”
As for the stage, this is Shartzer’s first ever tour, an experience he says he’s thoroughly enjoyed.
“It just feels like the purest form of what we do,” Shartzer said. “We have that immediate interaction with the audience. And each city reacts to the jokes differently. It’s so interesting. Getting out and touring has been such an enriching experience. That’s my favorite thing: how best to science what the audience will get into.”
Recently, Shartzer’s wife and daughter have joined him on tour, making the whole experience even better.
“People are really loving this show,” Shartzer said. “I mean, it is just a good time, especially now that we’re all in the swing of it. This is one of the highlights of my career so far — A really, really good time. You would be brokenhearted if it came and went, and you didn’t see it.”
Clue opens on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Bass Concert Hall. Showtimes will be Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30 and are available at texasperformingarts. org and BroadwayinAustin. com, by phone at (512) 477-1444 or from the Texas Performing Arts ticket office at Bass Concert Hall.
