(Cover Photo: JOHN SHARTZER appears as "Mr. Green" in "CLUE: LIVE ON STAGE" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. from April 4, 2025 through April 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724
     

METRMAG Spotlight On: John Shartzer a.k.a. "Mr. Green" from "CLUE: LIVE ON STAGE" at the Hanover Theatre

The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts

Presents the Hilarious Comedy

"CLUE: LIVE ON STAGE"

Original Screenplay by Jonathan Lynn

Book by Sandy Rustin

Based on the Paramount Pictures Motion Picture

Based on the Hasbro Board Game Clue

Additional Materials by Hunter Foster and Eric Price

Directed by Casey Hushion

Cast Includes: Jennifer Allen as “Mrs. Peacock,” Christina Anthony as “Miss Scarlet,” Mariah Burks as “The Cook,” Donna English as “Mrs. White,” David Hess as “Colonel Mustard,” John Shartzer as “Mr. Green,” Jeff Skowron as “Wadsworth,” Alex Syiek as “Mr. Boddy,” Jamil A.C. Mangan as “The Cop,” Elisabeth Yancey as “Yvette,” Evan Zes as ”Professor Plum.” 

Understudies: Greg Balla, Mary McNulty, Cassandra Marie Murphy, James Taylor Odom

Additional Creative Team: 

Set Design - Lee Savage; Costume Design - Jen Caprio; Lighting Design - Ryan O’Gara’ Sound Design - Jeff Human; Hair, Wig, & Make Up Design - J. Jared Janas; Original Music And Music Supervision - Michael Holland; Fight Director - Robert Westley; Associate Director - Steve Bebout; Casting - Pearson Casting CSA CDG; Tour Booking, Marketing & Publicity - Bond Theatrical; Production Management - Port City Technical; Production Stage Manager - Margot Whitney; Assistant Stage Managers - Maria Bella Divittorio, Sarah E. T. Jackson Company Manager - Maggie Swahl.

Performances:

April 4, 2025 through April 6, 2025 

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times) 

Presented at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester.

TICKETS:

For More Information:  877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org

BUY TICKETS

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

METRMAG Spotlight On: John Shartzer a.k.a. "Mr. Green" from "CLUE: LIVE ON STAGE" at the Hanover Theatre

"CLUE: LIVE ON STAGE" is a preposterous parody of murder mysteries and the only thing really missing in this absurd comedy is the sound of rim-shots for all the incredibly sophomoric jokes. 

That is why "CLUE" is also incredibly funny. 

Inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, the stage adaptation of "CLUE" - as it plays at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. this April - will no doubt bring about comparisons to the Landis film and its all-star cast that included Tim Curry and the late, legendary comedienne Madeline Kahn. 

METRMag had a chat with Daytime Emmy-nominee JOHN SHARTZER who plays "Mr. Green," one of the "six mysterious guests" that have assembled at "Boddy Manorfor" in the latest National Tour of "CLUE." 

Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, SHARTZER went to Flowing Wells High School and ultimately attended the University of Arizona - but  SHARTZER recalls his very first time acting before an audience and what was that experience like. 

“My first experience was actually in elementary school," SHARTZER says. "I went to a different school once a week - Gallego (Editor’s note: full name Gallego Primary Fine Arts Magnet School) - and they did a performance of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ where I played some random card." 

"That was lovely because I got to see and work with all these other kids. I remember all of us were gathered around a piano and there was this kid playing the ‘White Rabbit’ which to us was the lead - and he was totally off book, knowing all of his lines, and I remember that when he finished we all just erupted in cheers." 

"My mother, though, probably still remembers more me hamming it up dancing around on my own as a card (not to the choreography). Now, of course, that I am more of a professional actor I know that this is considered ‘stealing focus’ and is totally inappropriate.” 

Although perhaps admonished for the above incident at the time, SHARTZER notes his parents being on board with his decision to pursue acting as a profession.

“I do remember my parents being supportive," SHARTZER recalls. "Oh, they probably said a lot of those things that a parent might say – you know, that it ‘might be tough’ and ‘maybe you’d benefit by having a back-up plan.’ All that aside, they were very supportive, for which I am thankful.” 

And that support continues with SHARTZER's more recent additions to his family, which includes wife Cassandra Marie Murphy - who is also in the cast as an understudy on this latest National Tour with SHARTZER - and their young daughter, Nora. 

“We are in Fort Worth right now (with the tour) and they are at a splash pad running around.” 

“When Casey our director asked if we wanted to go on tour with 'CLUE' she (Cassandra) was all in on this." 

SHARTZER notes that, during the first year of the tour, they were not on tour with him.

"That was hard," SHARTZER says. "This year, though, with them along for the tour, well that has been just a dream come true for me. I could not have done this without their support.” 

SHARTZER has also done a lot of screen work, with credited appearances on shows such as “Dahmer,” “Station 19,” “9-1-1: Lonestar,” “Brooklyn 99” and “Grace and Frankie.” 

Is there one appearance among the above that stands out as most memorable? 

“Well, now that I’m on stage in 'CLUE' I can look back and recall doing that ‘Grace and Frankie’ episode (Season 6, Episode 3 title: 'The Trophy Wife') with Michael McKeon (who played “Mr. Green” in the 1985 movie 'CLUE') and Lily Tomlin." 

"I played this ‘Grateful Dead’ merchant," SHARTZER recollects, "And now, every time I wear the ('Dead') shirt, I feel like the universe is telling me something. They (McKeon and Tomlin) were both so kind and sweet and I was grateful to experience that.” 

A recent milestone for SHARTZER came in the area of songwriting with “Shine” a song he co-wrote which was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award. 

The song "Shine" was co-written by SHARTZER with Douglas Ladnier, Derek Ryan Deblieux and young daytime soap actress Jophielle Love.

SHARTZER discusses how the collaboration came about.

"My friend Doug (Ladnier) was friends with this family. They are all very talented with a circus background, and with kids all doing things.” 

Supposedly, the song recorded for “General Hospital” was completed in a single take? 

“I don’t know because I wasn’t there for the taping, but Jophielle was on ‘General Hospital’ for a very long time and she is a talented young songwriter,” SHARTZER says, continuing his story. 

“She (Jophielle) and Douglas knew I played guitar and ukulele. When they were piecing it together for the show, they asked me to help. After that, it was like being on this magic train that was going in my direction. They asked me to help, and the song was nominated for the Emmy, and I am just so grateful they asked me.” 

While this latest National Tour of "CLUE" is an extraordinary opportunity, was there another role which served as a pivotal moment for SHARTZER as an actor? A moment or role which helped prepare him for and make SHARTZER more confident in his chosen career path? 

“Well, my wife and I met doing a show and now we are married,” SHARTZER says adding, “As an actor, I just keep looking for work that helps build confidence and this tour of 'CLUE' is that.” 

The Sandy Rustin stage adaptation of "CLUE" is faithfully based upon the John Landis 1985 movie's dialogue written by Jonathan Lynn, with additional material supplied by Hunter Foster and Eric Price. 

“To do this show and to do it with the caliber of people I have been blessed to work with, and to exercise some acting muscles that have been kept dormant, I think this IS a turning point,” SHARTZER says. 

“Also, an experience like this helps one to break some of the bad habits or negative voices we might have in our minds and helps us keep doing this work that is so special. With 'CLUE' I have been given a sense of more confidence and after it is over, I can better look forward to what’s next.” 

Before seeing the script or being cast for this latest National Tour, had SHARTZER ever read the story before, or seen the show? 

“I had seen the movie 'CLUE' but it had been years. I loved it. Before the tour, I did a production of 'CLUE' on the West Coast at the La Mirada theatre. My doing that show afforded me the chance to do this Tour and for that I am very grateful.” 

(Photo: John Shartzer as "Mr. Green" in the top right holds a pipe while standing with five other suspicious folks who are gathered together in "CLUE: LIVE ON STAGE" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. from April 4, 2025 through April 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)

SHARTZER remembers that casting process very well.

“You just never know where life is going to take you," SHARTZER says. "We ran for about a month and my wife was pregnant with Nora at the time.” 

“My agent asked me to submit a tape for the role and I got the sides (Editor's Note: "sides" are only those lines for a specific actor for specific scenes).” 

“My wife and I were at our place in Studio City, California and in front of a blue screen. After, I was brought in before Casey ('CLUE' director Casey Hushion) and other casting and creatives. Then they brought me in again, and after three rounds, I got the part of ‘Mr. Green.’"   

In the story of "CLUE," six mysterious guests assemble at “Boddy Manorfor” where murder and mayhem abound. 

SHARTZER's character, “Mr. Green,” is described as "timid, a bit pedantic (always following the rules), overly anxious and somewhat of a klutz." 

Does SHARTZER agree with that description?

In a word, "Yes."

“Well, that’s it, that is him exactly. He is nervous," SHARTZER says adding, "There’s a lot going on. Everyone has a secret. So, he knows he can’t trust anybody. And, when people start dying, it is all of that, and that’s when I have to ‘turn up the dial’ (on his anxiety and klutziness) until I can’t crank it up anymore.” 

(Photo: “Mr. Green” bravely positions himself behind French maid “Yvette” in a scene from "CLUE: LIVE ON STAGE" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. from April 4, 2025 through April 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)

SHARTZER faces some challenges as an actor in trying to present the above in playing “Mr. Green.” 

“The character of ‘Mr. Green” gets very physical in the show, and navigating just how to do the more physical moments that I do - and do them in such a way that I can repeat it every night - is challenging.” 

“I need to do this balancing in such a way that as an actor I'm safe but that everybody (in the audience) each night is getting a good show. I am shocked my body is still holding up after having been doing this since February, but I am just holding onto my britches and we are making it.” 

SHARTZER describes the National Tour's "CLUE" cast and creative team as "Amazing." 

“This is just the biggest the biggest thing I’ve done in my career. Everyone who has come into this Tour has just been hugely supportive," SHARTZER notes. 

"You know it is interesting to see 'how the sausage is made' – I mean, you’re an actor working next to these talented professional Broadway performers, and you get to see how they work, which has just been such a great learning experience for me.” 

“The director and crew have all been supportive, not just of me but supportive of all the actors," SHARTZER says adding, "They let you know that you, as a performer, can create something special. And they let you know that (if you're concerned about failing) you won’t fail because they’ll help you to find the right words or the right approach, which is why 'CLUE' works so well.” 

(Photo: The CAST of the comedy "CLUE: LIVE ON STAGE" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. from April 4, 2025 through April 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)

Has SHARTZER ever performed before at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester? 

“This will be my first time – and that’s pretty much been the same for the whole tour - everywhere we’ve played has been my first time there.” 

SHARTZER says he hopes that Hanover Theatre  audiences will leave after having had a great time, adding his hope that audiences will also feel and recognize the impact that the "CLUE" performers have "given their all for this show and that the effort touches them." 

“It ('CLUE') is 90 minutes - you know, 'easy breezy' - and this is time we all share together, either up on the stage or out in the audience," SHARTZER says in closing. "We have performed this show in all sorts of different places. Different venues, sometimes maybe up to 2,000-seat auditoriums. To have that many people all laughing together at the same time for something we are doing on stage – well, that is just an extraordinary experience.”

"CLUE" LIVE ON STAGE" will be performed at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester from April 4th through April 6th, 2025. 

For tickets and more information, contact Hanover Theatre at # 877-571-SHOW (7469) or via email at info@thehanovertheatre.org

BUY TICKETS

Approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

(Photo: The CAST of the comedy "CLUE: LIVE ON STAGE" playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. from April 4, 2025 through April 6, 2025. Photo Credit: Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)

ABOUT THE SHOW "CLUE" LIVE ON STAGE" 

Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manorfor a night they’ll never forget! 

Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? 

Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? 

Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, "CLUE: LIVE ON STAGE" is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist!

For More Information:  877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org

BUY TICKETS

ABOUT HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Worcester Center for Performing Arts is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which owns and operates The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

2 Southbridge Street

Worcester, MA. 01608

# 877-571-SHOW (7469) 

info@thehanovertheatre.org