“Clue” play keeps audience on the edge of their seats

From November 20-23, PHS’s Spectacle Theatre brought the comedy, thriller, and beloved board game “Clue” to life. Set in 1954, the play follows a group of strangers, each with their own alias, invited to the Boddy Manor by a butler named Wadsworth. As the night approaches, secrets are revealed, and the six find themselves trapped in the middle of a murder mystery.

Rehearsals began early in the school year, with auditions taking place during the first few weeks of September. There were two alternating casts and the students were hard at work balancing memorization and embodying their characters.

“We [started] off [rehearsal] with everyone getting together in a circle,” said Jacob Zacks ’28, who played Colonel Mustard. “Sometimes we [did a] stretch and share, just letting it out … because part of acting is being vulnerable and you just have to share everything, the highs and the lows.”

In just a few short weeks, Drama teacher Julianna Krawiecki, the director of the play, worked with the actors, transforming the production from rudimentary script readings to complete performances.

Performing Clue also brought on new challenges for the cast, forcing them to adapt to its fast-paced nature and comedic style. With little time to prepare on stage with the set and tech crew, the actors had to build momentum throughout the play, keeping up with the brisk tempo, and creating a synergized act.

“I would say the most challenging part is keeping the pace up … it’s a very active show,” said Zacks. “We’re running around a lot, so keeping the energy up and the pace up is really important.”

With 14 unique characters, the cast members worked hard to not only learn, but to truly embody their roles. Whether they were focused on specific idiolects, habits, or expressions, the performers put in the effort to connect with their characters and better understand how to portray them on stage.

“For Miss White ... working on her physicality [was hard], because … [she’s] very reserved, very to herself. She doesn’t really speak unless she’s spoken to. And it’s hard to convey that on stage, because you would think a person like that doesn’t really move, but it’s theater, and ... if I don’t do anything on stage, what I’m doing isn’t gonna read,” said Serafina Joseph ’26, who played Miss White.

Throughout rehearsals, the performers worked closely with other members of their cast to learn the lines, blocking, and other aspects of the show. The connections made between the cast members helped the performances to flow smoothly, and their chemistry can be seen both on and off the stage.

“My favorite part ... [is] getting to work on such a fun show with such dedicated and talented people. And it’s really inspiring to see everybody be so passionate about it,” said Joseph. What truly stole the spotlight was the effort and hard work that everyone put into the show, transforming the fictional scenes into real life.

“My students have been working really hard. They built this [community] of support and I’m really excited for people to get to come and see all of the work they’ve put in,” said Krawiecki.

Behind the scenes, the tech crew worked tirelessly to design the set, build props, and tailor costumes for the actors. From managing light cues to constructing moving set pieces, their work helped enhance the atmosphere of the show, keeping the audience immersed in the show.

The performance was the reflection of the dedication and efforts presented by the cast, crew, and director, whose collaboration presented each scene with a balance of mystery and humor. Combining the amusing storyline and the well-developed characters, PHS’s Spectacle Theatre’s efforts made Clue not just a play, but an experience that will be difficult to forget.