Playing board games and watching movies can be inspiring, just ask Briarcliff High School senior Cat Lynch. Cat loves playing the “Clue” board game, as well as watching the movie version so much, that she asked Briarcliff theater director Paul Kite to put it on as the fall drama this year.
“I was so excited when I found out that we are doing the show,” she said. “I like this type of play – a murder mystery with fun costumes and sets.”
The show is based on the 1985 movie by the same title and was inspired by the board game. Both a farce and a murder mystery, it involves guests who meet for a dinner party. When their host dies, they are all suspects and try to figure out who the murderer is.
Freshman Alivia Maresco plays the role of Mrs. Peacock,
“My favorite part of the day is coming to rehearsals and hanging out with everyone,” she said. “It’s fun – I love the interaction with the other characters; everyone has their own persona and we stay in character a little before and after. There is a lot of mystery and excitement in the show; get ready for a crazy ride. It’s amazing!”
Cat agrees.
“This is fast-paced, funny show,” she said. “It’s not something where you have to think too hard to understand; it’s meant to be completely enjoyed by everyone.”
Cat, who plays Mrs. White, has experience in taking on multiple roles in the theater at the school.
“I acted in some shows at Briarcliff,” she said. “and in other shows, I was either in the tech crew or playing the electric base in the pit orchestra. I hope to study music education in college, and I want to continue doing theater at least recreationally.”
Junior Noah Rinke is the Stage Manager and Assistant Technical Director.
“This is my third year doing theater,” he said. “I was an actor and assistant stage manager. This is more suited for my skills, but I enjoy being both on stage and behind the scenes.
Noah is certainly busy with his double role this year.
“As stage manager, I help with rehearsals, take down attendance, etc. and during the show I’ll be up in the booth, kind of like being the “conductor” of the show,” he said. “As assistant technical director, I help with building the sets and most of the technical stuff.”
The elaborate set was completely built by students.
“We learned as we built it,” Noah said. “It took about eight or nine sessions, and we worked three to four hours at a time.”
“We had an adult who designed the set, and we did use some platforms and other pieces from previous shows, but this set is as complicated as any set of a professional performance,” said director Paul Kite. “We like giving students something to do, and they did a great job!”
The wardrobe for the show was less complicated than the set.
“There are less performers in this show, and the story takes place over one night, so it was relatively simple to put together the outfits,” said Costume Designer Susanna Kwong. “I get most of the pieces online and I also recycle costumes from previous shows.”
“Clue” will be holding three performances in the high school auditorium: November 22 at 7:30pm, November 23 at 7:30pm and November 24 at 1pm.
It is recommended for kids ages 12 and up.
Tickets can be purchased in person and at this link:
https://cur8.com/228/project/126961
