Was it Colone Mustard with the candlestick in the kitchen? Or maybe it was Mrs. White with the revolver in the dining room? Audiences will get to find out who killed Mr. Boddy in the Devils Lake High School Playmakers’ production of “Clue.”
The production is adapted from the 1985 comedy of the same name which is based on the incredibly popular board game. The basic plot is a whodunnit. Someone killed Mr. Boddy. But of the guests invited to his mansion, who is it? What is the motive? And will they get away with it?
“We looked into doing it last year,” said co-director Maddie Cummings. “The rights didn’t work out…When it was time to decide what to do this year it was at the top of the list.”
Co-director Phillip Maritato said “It’s been super exciting” experience directing the show. “These kids are super passionate about what they do,” he said. He added that the cast was taught about the time period the show takes place which is during the 1950s Red Scare. “It was fun explaining why this was a weird time in history.”
Cummings, a fan of the film adaptation, said the opportunity to direct the show is “exactly the kind of thing I’m really drawn to… It’s so campy and such a cult classic.”
Cummings said the production has toned some of the raunchy humor of the original but the “integrity” of the comedy is still there.
“I’m hoping audiences will still respond to that,” she said.
The directors had the young cast watch the movie and play the board game to become familiar with the source material.
The movie was famous for having three different endings. Cummings didn’t want to spoil the show only saying that “there are twists that you won’t expect.”
“I really hope [the audience] for the last 75 minutes enjoy the grandness of Boddy Manor, recognize the kookie cast of characters, and that they have a had a lot of fun along the way. If they manage to get the whodunit right away I’ll be very impressed.”
Maritato said “The reason why I act or direct is for the cast and the audience. I want the cast to be passionate with the fine arts. For the audience I want them, to just enjoy the show. I just want them to sit down and almost turn off your mind and see the art these kids are putting on and experiencing the fine arts.”
“Clue” will be performed at the Robert Fawcett Auditorium on Nov. 15, 16, 18, and 19 all at 7 p.m. Adults are $8 and students are $5 and is cash only.
