By Debbie Hall
Las Vegas just got a whole lot more mysterious—and a lot more provocative. ClueX, a genre-defying burlesque parody inspired by the cult-classic film Clue, will continue its residency at Notoriety Live on Fremont Street through April 25, and it’s unlike anything else on the Vegas stage.
Following a sold-out 2024 run at Vegas Theatre Company (where it was known as Cluelesque), the show has been completely reimagined for its residency debut. The result? A fast-paced, high-glamour spectacle that blends burlesque, parody, and immersive mystery into one wildly unpredictable night.
“The film CLUE became my favorite movie the moment I saw it. I had never laughed so hard at something before, and it felt like it had been made just for me. What I didn’t know at the time was that it was a film for people just like me: the queer folk. The specific wit, the magnificent performances, and the dark comedy inspired me as a young person, and I watched it over and over until I could quote it line by line. I realized there’s a huge community of CLUEheads, especially within the Queer Community. I was motivated by parodying as many lines or moments as I possibly could, and of course, built the chase scene to give those CLUEheads like me exactly what I knew they wanted: all those iconic moments exactly from the film,” explained creator, writer, and director Simone Skold.
ClueX puts the audience in control, creating an exciting and engaging experience. Each performance unfolds with a twist: after watching iconic characters strip down their secrets—literally—guests must decide who committed the murder. And here’s the kicker: even the cast doesn’t know the killer until the votes are in.
“ClueX starts as a silent film, moves into a stage production, changes into a burlesque show, slips into Musical Theatre, falls into farce, and ends as a murder-mystery, all while staying true to the film it was based on, the tropes of murder-mystery, the satirical comedy that prevails throughout, and perfectly balancing audience interaction with onstage action. It is a smorgasbord of disparate elements that all consolidate into one beautiful tapestry,” added Skold.
Set to the pulse of a live band, the show crackles with energy, mixing suspense, humor, and seductive performances.
“Each person in this amazing cast is acting a role, singing a Broadway tune with choreography, performing a striptease, doing comedy, which is way harder and more specific than drama, and being asked to leave a little room for improv. It is an impressive feat for anyone, and it takes a lot of work, preparation, and training to do it well,” said Skold.
Visually, ClueX is just as captivating as its storyline. Costume and hair designer Jason Bennett, founder of Time After Time Designs, delivers stunning looks that transform beloved characters into high-style burlesque fantasies. Every wig, every garment is crafted for both drama and reveal—making them stars in their own right.
But beneath the glitz and tease, ClueX has substance. The show weaves in themes of class, power, and corruption, proving burlesque can be as insightful as it is entertaining.
Whether you’re a fan of the film, the board game, or just looking for a night out that’s equal parts sexy and suspenseful, ClueX invites you to play along.
Because in this game, if you guess wrong… you’ll just have to come back and try again.
ClueX will perform at Notoriety Live, 450 Fremont St., Suite 380, on the Fremont Street Experience through April 25. The venue offers accessible seating, accommodations and parking. For more info, visit cluextheshow.com and click here for tickets.