Looking for clues in Aspen: The Wheeler brings a walking mystery

Looking for some summer fun? No clue what to do? 

If you are looking for a novel way to enjoy the town, the timing might be perfect for the latest offering at The Wheeler Opera House, “Clue: A Walking Mystery.” It’s an interactive scavenger hunt set for June 17 to July 12.

The landmark theater is swapping leather seats for sidewalks with this open-air whodunit that casts you as a detective and the town itself as the crime scene.

The award-winning immersive platform will run Tuesdays through Saturdays starting at 12:30 p.m. with individual, group, and family pricing available. 

“There is a trend in the industry nationwide for more experiential events broadly,” Wheeler Executive Director Mike Harrington said. “It’s happening in the performing arts, and beyond that as well.”

The interactive theatrical experience is based on the board game. It brings “mystery-solving into the streets as players work to uncover who did it, where, and with what — searching for clues and solving puzzles at participating local businesses,” according to The Wheeler Opera House.

“One of the motivators for bringing this to Aspen was to try to create more opportunities to engage with the town and engage with The Wheeler, and engage with small businesses throughout the city in a way that’s unique,” Harrington said.

The game, produced by Los Angeles-based Right Angle Entertainment, had its genesis during the COVID-19 pandemic. After its initial run, the company realized it had stumbled onto something with potential.

Right Angle Entertainment partnered with Hasbro, the owner of the Clue brand, and The Wild Optimist, a design company responsible for crafting the game’s story and puzzles. Right Angle creative executive Kevin Hammond then travels to each city and designs the route.

“Hasbro is really particular about what locations they choose, for that Clue vibe,” Hammond said. “The Clue vibe really is sophisticated, classic, slightly mysterious, and Aspen has that in droves.”

Hammond points out that Aspen is an excellent spot for the 90-minute to two-hour walk. 

“It’s all so condensed and kind of compact, and it’s kind of like the perfect footprint for this game,” Hammond said.

The company has now shifted its business model, licensing the experience to performing arts centers, like the Wheeler Opera House. This strategy helps theaters engage new demographics. 

“Individuals who might not typically attend a traditional stage performance, but are interested in immersive experiences, might buy a ticket from a venue, such as The Wheeler Opera House for the first time,” Hammond said.

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The game is best suited for families and friends, with an age recommendation of eight and up. Four players are thought to be the “golden number” for the best teamwork while figuring out the riddle. 

Tickets are on sale now at The Wheeler box office (970-920-5770 or aspenshowfix.com). The box office is located at 320 E. Hyman, Aspen, CO open Tuesday through Saturday, 12-5 p.m.