Actress, comic, author and vocalist Christina Anthony stars as Miss Scarlett within the nationwide tour of Clue. After making her mark in TV and comedy, she returns to theater after a decade away, bringing new life to this iconic position at Chicago’s CIBC Theatre.
What drew you to the position of Miss Scarlett?
I grew up, I performed the sport after I was little, after which I used to be reintroduced to the sport by my youngest niece […] I received a name, you recognize, a buddy of Sandy Rustin is the author of the play, tailored it from the film […] I used to be very curious as a result of it’s a interval piece. It’s set in 1954. , Black people, we’re not large on time touring [laughs]. However then I sat down and I considered it […] I did some analysis and actually learn up about Black ladies enterprise homeowners. Miss Scarlett is a enterprise proprietor. It’s an grownup enterprise, but it surely’s nonetheless a enterprise […] what would deliver this Black girl, most likely from the South, to Washington, D.C., within the ’50s and change into an actual energy participant?
How do you stability working throughout TV, theater and comedy?
what, shifting from style to style, platform to platform, I’ll say it’s not simple […] You need to continually reintroduce your self. However when you actually find it irresistible — you recognize, as an illustration, I like doing stand-up. After which I step away from it for some time, and I do tv […] my time on the Black Ensemble, my time at ETA, my time at Second Metropolis, you recognize, I put my time in.
What was it like returning to theater after 10 years?
Look, I’ll share this together with your viewers as a result of I do know that they’re going to be light and understanding. However your lady was drained. I had been spoiled on TV […] This play, let me inform you one thing, it’s 75 minutes and I by no means go away the stage. By no means go away the stage. I’m speaking about sweating. I’m speaking about working. It’s so much. However I’m glad to be again.
How has it been navigating this world as a Black girl?
I might say I wouldn’t wanna be anyone else. It’s a stupendous expertise […] I do know issues gained’t essentially be handed to me […] One factor that I used to be taught was when you kinda get your foot within the door and also you get the dream that you really want, go away the door open […] I recognize the Black ladies which have come earlier than me, particularly Chicagoans like Claudia Wallace, Deanna Griffin […] Jackie Taylor on the Black Ensemble — simply maintain the door open and be like, “Come on, come by means of, sister, you are able to do this.”
What do you hope audiences take away out of your position in Clue?
I don’t know if Miss Scarlett was all the time Black of their [minds]. So, I’m excited for them to see my tackle it. And once more, [consider] the angle of what [it takes] to be a Black girl in 1954 in a homicide thriller. After which additionally, I like that she is a businesswoman — all the time calculating, all the time considering. And it’s one thing we have to keep in mind. At all times be considering a few steps forward. That’s [something] we will all take that into our personal lives.
While you mirror on the evolution of your profession from The Jackie Wilson Story to now starring in Clue, what excites you in regards to the route your profession is headed?
I imagine that it’s simply headed to extra […] It’s no secret; I received on tv and I used to be most likely older than what I anticipated. However I hope that different individuals, no matter profession, know it’s OK to be a late bloomer. It’s OK to percolate[,] as they are saying. And I’m so excited that I do know the very best initiatives and the very best years are forward of me […] It doesn’t matter whenever you begin, simply get began. And so, I’m excited for what’s to return. I don’t know what these issues are, however I’m excited for them.
Clue is enjoying at CIBC Theatre from Feb. 18 – March 2, 2025.