Q&A with CMU grad Adam Brett, who is making his national tour debut as Wadsworth in 'Clue'

Editor’s note: The following story was submitted for the Shaler Area Student Section, a collaboration between TribLive and The Oracle, the student newspaper of Shaler Area High School.

Recently, The Oracle spoke with actor Adam Brett, who is making his national tour debut as Wadsworth in “Clue,” which is running Dec. 30-Jan. 4 at the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh. This hilarious and fast-paced musical explores one mystery that leads into another, with a side of a little murder. Brett, who grew up on Long Island, N.Y., and attended Carnegie Mellon University, shared some interesting stories of what it is like to be on tour with the show and how he gives his all alongside the other cast and crew members.

Q: Could you give a basic summary or rundown of “Clue?”

A: Well, it is a whirlwind murder-mystery farce which is based on the movie, which is based on the board game, which is based on Agatha Christie murder-mystery novels. So it basically involves these iconic characters coming to this mansion. They got a mysterious letter, and they try to figure out what’s happening. Someone gets murdered. They try to figure out the murderer, and then someone else gets murdered, and they try to figure out who’s doing this. And it is thrilling and exciting and, most of all, hilarious.

Q: What are some difficult things you encounter when performing?

A: I mean, performing is such a joy and it’s a thrill. At the end of the day, it’s never that deep; we’re just playing make-believe. I get to play dress up for a living. That’s so cool. I think the hardest part, at least with this and doing a tour, is that you know the show really well, and all of a sudden you’re doing the show in a whole new theater, in a whole new part of the country, with a whole new set of audience and crew members. It can feel a little unbalanced doing the show, but you know, you push through.

Q: What’s it like to tour the country with the cast, crew and everyone involved in production?

A: It’s a dream come true. There’s so many places in the country that I haven’t seen yet. Right now, I’m sitting outside in Missouri with shorts on. The sun is shining, and it’s absolutely perfect outside. You know, we just came from Syracuse, which was 30 degrees and all the trees were orange and yellows. I want to explore the food wherever I am. I want to see the history. I want to see the art. I want to see the culture. And then, engage with audiences at night during the show.

Q: What’s the best mishap you’ve had or witnessed during a show?

A: We’re still so early in, it’s hard to say. Honestly, I would say what it really is, is that the cast, they’re so brilliant and they’re hilarious, and they all make me break on stage every night. So I just say the biggest mishap is me trying to keep a serious face on when I’m interacting with these funny people on stage.

Q: What are some of your favorites moments that led you to realize you wanted to pursue a career in the performing arts?

A: I mean, so many moments in each project that I worked on just leads me to the next one, so I’m just eternally grateful for all the teachers that have supported me along the way and all the directors. I have the best, most supportive high school theater teacher, I have an amazing vocal coach that I’ve been studying with since I was like 13, and I still study with him. So it’s really been the teachers that have inspired me and have given me so many opportunities and really believed in me. And then I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to my parents, who just drove me to every single rehearsal and have seen every show and have flown to see shows. It’s the people that have really made it.

Q: What is your basic itinerary for a show day?

A: It varies from city to city, and with that, climate. So right now, I usually start the day going to the gym. I run 2 miles every day on the treadmill just to see how my lungs are doing. The show is very fast, quick. We are doing nothing that is relaxed or on the back of our brains. We are fully focused, like we are playing a really intense basketball game. Then if we have time, I’ll try to explore the city. Right now, I’m in this really cute coffee shop in Missouri and drinking coffee out of a Batman mug today. And then, a handful of us have an ongoing mini golf tournament, so we’re going to do some city to city. Today is our Springfield, Missouri, mini golf tournament. Then I’ll eat dinner and get ready for the show. I’ll stretch, warm up my voice, kind of clear my mind and hop on stage and do the show. And then usually after that, we go back to the hotel and hang out or go to bed, depending on where we are.

Q: How would you say your relationships are with everyone on tour?

A: Really positive. You’ve got to really take care of each other. I mean, it’s one thing to clock in for work and do your show and then go back home, but it’s like we are each other’s home in a way. I feel really taken care of by my cast and crew and creative team, and I think we all are just holding each other’s hands, getting through this and having fun and enjoying it and listening and being respectful and considerate. It’s been a really joyful, communal experience.

Q: Was there a specific event in your life that steered you toward this career?

A: I wish I could say that there was one specific moment that clicked, but it really was always a series of events. I don’t think I would have gotten to play Wadsworth if it wasn’t for doing my high school production of “My Fair Lady,” where I had to speak in an English accent for three hours, so my English accent got really good. Two summers ago at another theater, I played Colonel Mustard, and getting to do the show really helped me because I already knew what to expect; the tone, the rhythm, the pacing of the players. When I was a kid, I was just always dressed up, and I think my parents were like, “We’re just going to throw him into a theater camp.”

Q: Where were you when you found out that you booked the show?

A: I was in Colorado and I was doing a production of “Cabaret,” and we were on a five-minute break, and I was like, “Let me just check my emails.” I was so sleep deprived because it was my second day there, and I wasn’t accustomed to the time zone because I went from Los Angeles to New York to Colorado. But anyway, I sat down for a second and I saw the offer and went back to rehearsal. And then I FaceTime my parents, and my mom just starts hysterically crying in an airport from the news.

Q: Do you have any advice for those who look up to you and want to follow in your footsteps?

A: Oh, well, that’d be super cool if people look up to me, but who knows? I think the advice I have to offer is put everything in. I wish when I was younger that I did things with a little bit more freedom and a lack of self-control, and really just was brave and bold and courageous. I’m still learning that, and it’s still a journey. I think I would say that in everything you do — being the lead in your show to ordering your cup of coffee — just having so much freedom and excitement and joy. It’s all about joy.