Sarah Daily as Miss Scarlet and Sam Thinnes as Mr. Green debate whodunit in Musical Theatre Guild of Butler’s production of “Clue: The Musical.” Photo by Michael Dittman

The Musical Theatre Guild of Butler’s production of “Clue: The Musical” is an engaging, interactive theatrical experience that delights audiences with its clever staging, energetic performances and playful meta-humor.

This is an audience participation show at its core, with volunteers pulling cards for the murderer, weapon and location at the start of each performance and then the audience playing along trying to determine whodunit. With 216 possible outcomes, no two nights are the same, making each performance a unique and dynamic mystery.

Visually, the production is as inventive as its concept. The set design cleverly represents the six iconic rooms of the board game, with rotating set pieces that shift effortlessly. While it appears deceptively simple, the execution is a testament to the skill of both the cast and crew.

The costuming by David M. Halin and Lois Eury, is equally well-conceived, with bright, cartoonlike attire that matches the playful tone of the show — from Colonel Mustard’s bold yellow colonial garb to Miss Scarlet’s sultry showgirl gown to Professor Plum’s buttoned-up academic style and pipe.

Director Laura Crago has encouraged her actors to develop their own interpretations of these classic characters, resulting in performances that feel fresh and engaging. The cast rises to the challenge, not only embracing the comedic elements of their roles and, in the musical numbers, executing some tricky harmonies with precision.

The show kicks off with Jeff Carey as Mr. Boddy, who explains the gamelike structure in song establishing himself as a smarmy man resigned to being murdered every night. Each character then reveals their own motives for wanting Boddy dead, setting the stage for an evening of hilarious intrigue.

Sarah Dailey shines as Miss Scarlet, bringing a seductive charm and throaty torch-singer vocals to her role. Noah Reed, as Mrs. White, delivers a cockney-accented performance and impresses with “Life Is a Bowl of Pits,” a number that could have come straight from an early 20th century music hall. Dean Weiland, as Colonel Mustard, and Davlin Smith, as Mrs. Peacock, demonstrate a gift for physical comedy with their Twister-inspired flirting, while Sam Thinnes, as Mr. Green, delivers his lines with a mix of businessman bravado and delightful malapropisms.

The musical numbers are a highlight, adding to the campy hilarity. Mrs. Peacock’s “Once a Widow” is a schmaltzy tango-infused performance, while “Corridors and Halls” showcases the ensemble's vocal strength, blending harmonies in a way that elevates the production.

Dance numbers, while not the primary focus, serve as effective character-building moments, adding energy and humor to the show.

In the second act, the arrival of Irelynd Metz, as Detective, injects even more chaos and comedy. Metz plays a hard-boiled private investigator with perfect timing, delivering meta-commentary and board game puns with skill. Her dance numbers are graceful, and her performance adds another layer of fun to the already whimsical production.

Adding to the atmosphere is the live musical accompaniment by Tyler Belak on cello and Alison Carey on piano, under the direction of Karen O’Donnell, who also handles percussion. The musicians not only play with precision but also contribute to the humor, providing dramatic stings and breaking the fourth wall with their knowing involvement.

Overall, “Clue: The Musical” is a riotous, well-executed production that is both challenging for the performers and endlessly entertaining for the audience. The cast and crew make the complexity look effortless, creating an experience that is engaging, immersive and full of surprises in a hilarious, family-friendly night of theater.

“Clue: The Musical” takes the stage at the William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall on Friday through Sunday, March 21 to 23, and Friday and Saturday, March 28 and 29. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 23. Tickets can be purchased at mtgbutler.org. “Clue: The Musical” runs 90 minutes without intermission.