Midlakes production of 'Clue' will keep audiences guessing
CLIFTON SPRINGS — "Clue," the whimsical whodunit based on the popular board game, will see its rebirth in Midlakes’ Black Box Theatre nearly 40 years after the theatrical release by Paramount.
Midlakes Theatre Experience, led by second-year director Layna Gray, will bring the board game to life for several shows in November. The curtain rises at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, for the opening night performance. Shows also are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 3 and Nov. 4, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5.
The stage production was written by award-winning playwright Sandy Rustin and is based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn.
The show promises about 90 minutes (with a 15-minute intermission) of mystery and fun during the 1950s at the height of McCarthyism and the Red Scare, a time when the House Un-American Activities Committee threatened to blacklist anyone for what it deemed as treasonous actions.
Who is in the Midlakes Black Box Theatre production of 'Clue?'
As the Newscaster (Riley Ward) and McCarthy (Everest Cook) set this backdrop at the opening, six uniquely positioned guests then gather at a mansion on a dark and stormy night.
When their host turns up dead, it is clear that no one is safe and the guests start turning on each other in trying to find a suspect and prevent themselves from being blacklisted and, more importantly, survive the night.
"It's basically the biggest murder mystery you've ever seen," said Mara Deisering, a senior who will appear as Mrs. Peacock. "It's crazy, hectic. It's fast-paced but it’s so much fun. It's very funny."
Each of the six guests is encouraged to use an alias and then handed a gift: A box with a different weapon — specifically, a candlestick, a wrench, a lead pipe, a revolver, a rope and a dagger.
"Things happen. Everyone is pointing fingers at everyone and then you find out who did it," said Nikki Szalay, a senior sharing the role of Mrs. White with Krya Guest. "I've always looked forward to doing high school theater. It brightens my day and …. I’m excited to still be a part of it."
Led by Wadsworth the butler (Justin Herman), the six guests play against each other. None of them has a clue as to how things will end.
There’s Professor Plum (Ella Weykman); the vivacious madame, Miss Scarlet (Heather Belcher); and Mr. Green (Kaylynn Judson), a Republican hiding the fact that he didn’t vote for Eisenhower.
Then there’s the dimwitted Col. Mustard (Ashlyn Knapp); Mrs. White (Szalay, Friday and Sunday; Kyra Guest, Thursday and Saturday), who has been widowed multiple times; and Mrs. Peacock (Deisering), the chatty senator’s wife.
"It is definitely a lot different than what I usually get in fall shows," said Belcher, a senior, of Miss Scarlet. "I've played the young love interest, a sweet, innocent little girl (in the past) and that’s drastically different from this. It is exciting to do a new, different character style."
Other characters and students appearing in the play include Yvette (Leia Slack), McCarthy, Cook, Motorist and the Backup Cop (Cook); Mr. Boddy and Chief of Police (Bobby Lally); and the Unexpected Cop and Backup Cop (Allyson Smith); and Newcaster/Singing Telegram Girl (Ward).
Who are the behind-the-scenes players for 'Clue'
Joining Gray is Emily Houston, the assistant director; Kyra Guest, student director; Hailey Barber, stage manager; Craig Deisering, technical director; Ross Gifford, lighting, and sound; and Kristen Deisering, lead on costumes.
Set builders include Mitch Bement, Hunter Casper, Anthony Cooper, Mackenzie Gardner, Stella Hutson, Bill Lally, Cadin Lloyd, Carter Maslyn, Meleena Mortimer, Josh Newton, Rain Newton, Claudia Polisoto, Madison Robinette, Grace Senecal and William Slack.
Bement, Casper, Cooper, Gardner, Hutson and Robinette will be joined by Jameson Krenzer, Breanna Plante, Polisoto, Riley Potter, Ella Schraeder and Kiera Stickles in the stage crew.
How to get tickets for 'Clue'
The Midlakes Theatre Experience is staging four performances of "Clue," from Thursday, Nov. 2, to Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Black Box Theatre, 1554 Route 488. Enter from the north parking lot.
The cost is $10; $8 for students and seniors.
You can buy tickets at Phelps Hometown Pharmacy, Local Palate, Sandy's Floral Gallery and at the Midlakes High School main office.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Midlakes Theatre Experience stages four performances of 'Clue'
