“Clue,” set in the 1950s, brings six main characters together to a mansion the night of a dinner party. A “whodunit” type of play gives Hayes’ Thespians another interesting show to prepare for their audience.
“I’m excited to finally put a comedy on stage, we’ve done a lot of dramas over the past few years,” head director Kelsey Wright said. “Hopefully the audience will laugh with us and not necessarily at us.”
Skipping ahead 30 years since last year’s play, “The Great Gatsby,” that took place in the 1920s, the Thespians moved a bit up the timeline for this year’s play. “Clue,” is set within the many rooms of an estate directly following a dinner party that lead to the characters accusing each other of murder.
Many returning faces also received parts in “Clue” for this year. With eight seniors participating in the cast, this year’s ensemble of actors consists of only 15 people. Crew isn’t much bigger with only 20 people.
“There’s not a lot of actors so it’s quite easy, but for the crew, everyone [was] very stressed that they would not finish in time,” said costume crew member Lulu Ely.
The set revolves strongly around the doors, the main connector throughout the mansion. With many moveable elements the set pieces transform each space into a room, rather than a stage. This year, the directors group took on the challenge of putting together a play with more set pieces despite the shortened schedule.
Full rehearsals didn’t start until November in an aim to allow more band and fall sport students to be involved in “Clue.” Once rehearsals started, the crew members went straight to work on the set once Dempsey wrapped up their production of “Newsies Jr.” and with less than two weeks until opening night each member of the company is putting in time to bring the stage to life.
“I feel like I already know the show inside and out, even though we haven’t really been working on it that long,” senior Mavis Roach said.
Roach plays Wadsworth, the mansion’s British butler. As a senior, they are also the president of the Hayes’ Thespian Troupe. Many may recognize their stage presence from roles as a Delta Nu in “Legally Blonde,” to the French Narrator and member of the Electric Skates from “The SpongeBob Musical.”
With eight seniors in the play, Wright remarked that the group has shown great leadership to the underclassmen in the play.
“I love how the costumes are all very distinct and that each of them have their own color,” said Ely. “It’ll be fun to have each character be very different.”
Each character, similar to the famous board game, has their own theme throughout the show. The costumes are tailored to each individual character with most pieces rented for this specific show. The contrasting colors help viewers distinguish who is who during the 90 minute show.
“If you want to have a good time and laugh with your friends and family, this would be the perfect way to do that,” Roach said.
Opening night is Dec. 6 with tickets available online or at the door of the performance.
