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In the intimate confines of the Loeb Ex, Olivia F. Data ’26 (writer and lyricist) and Preston C. Bushnell ’26 (composer) crafted a delightfully melodramatic detective noir musical — perfectly enjoyed on a chilly Friday night. “Get a Clue” not only embraced the aesthetics of 1920s murder mysteries, but also humorously caricaturized the personas commonly found within them: a hilariously incompetent detective, a darling secretary with ulterior motives, an overly theatrical “French” “author,” and a cast of dramatically greedy suspects with ridiculous secrets.
Detective Charles Fowler (Will P. Cottiss ’28) has let his career devolve into tracking down missing pets and philandering spouses. Haunted by the unsolved death of his wife, Fowler finds himself in a rut — inspiration and hope elude him, and he makes sure everyone knows it. That is, until his wealthy childhood friend Lawrence Atelé (Justice L. Sirotek ’27) invites him to investigate a jewelry theft at his luxury hotel.
This seemingly straightforward case spirals into mayhem when Lawrence drops dead during an exclusive soiree, and our cast of suspicious characters are trapped at the scene of the crime. Data and Bushnell’s sharp writing truly shone when playing up each character’s archetype. Everyone is hiding something, but the humor lies in their inability to hide it well, and their counterpart’s inability to catch on.
The simpering secretary Maeve Caffrey (Cassidy C. Crabb ’28) spends Act 1 building up her boss while secretly plotting to abscond with his assets. The pretentious French author Pierre Duperie Alerieux (George S. Atkin ’28) turns out to be a fraud stealing the words of hotel maid Josephine Whitram (Heleah Soulati ’26). The brilliant male detective turns out to be inept.
The Loeb Ex’s small, intimate setting proved the perfect venue for this theatrical mischief. Many times the characters broke the fourth wall, whether it be interactions with the audience or the composer. In one scene, Detective Fowler even asked an audience member who they thought committed the murder, and then hilariously brushed their opinion aside. Moments such as these allowed the audience to constantly be on the edge of their seats, surpassing the role of simply a passive observer.
The cast was extremely vocally talented — but their delivery of jokes and physical humor shone through most of all. Physical comedy made the show: whether it be the arduous task of dragging the limp body, Pierre’s French mannerisms, or Detective Fowler’s outbursts. The fight sequences and dance numbers, choreographed by Benjamin Walter ’26, were genuinely impressive while remaining humorously animated.
Cottiss anchored the production with a performance that struck a perfect balance between genuine pathos and absurdist comedy. Fowler is a legitimate noir protagonist drowning in grief, while simultaneously serving as commentary on the detective archetype’s inherent ridiculousness. His angsty nature continued to build and build throughout the show, resembling a complete manic episode by the end. Morolaoluwa Ajuwon ’28 matched him perfectly as Celia, revealing complex layers beneath the mysterious heiress façade while maintaining the character's satirical edge.
Data’s lyricism and script forged the sardonic spirit of the piece. In one instance, Fowler embarked on an anti-greed monologue — one no one asked for — that attacked the excess and moral bankruptcy of urban elitist wannabes. The irony permeated every scene: These wealth-obsessed characters embodied the very greed Fowler railed against, their schemes and secrets exposing the moral bankruptcy he condemns.
When the dust settled and justice was served, one message rang clear: Behind every “great man” stands a woman doing the actual work.
The show ended with an ensemble reprise of “Get a Clue,” the show’s title song that served as both Act 1 and Act 2 finales, complete with jazz hands and knowing grins. It was a fitting end to a production that proved smart satire doesn’t require solemnity. Data and Bushnell crafted something impressive: a musical both clever and genuinely fun, that reminded us that sometimes the best mysteries are the ones that don't take themselves too seriously.
“Get a Clue” ran at the Loeb Experimental Theater from Nov. 13 to Nov. 16.
