This past month, the Upper School Players put on Clue the Musical, which is an interactive show that is based on the classic board game, Clue. The onstage performance acts as an actual game of Clue, while the audience solves the mystery of who committed the murder. 

“I was excited when I found out we were putting on Clue,” said junior stage manager Laura Gracey. “I grew up playing the board game and was looking forward to getting to know the cast and bringing the game to life onstage.” 

No two shows are the exact same—the crime location, how the crime played out, and the person who did it are selected by three audience members at the beginning of each show. Thus, there are 216 possible crimes for the audience to solve. 

“I think it’s really cool,” said sophomore James Milhalka, who was playing Colonel Mustard. “I’ve never heard of any shows that do this and are so interactive.” 

As creative as this interactive element is, it has also presented quite the challenge, as the implementation of alternate endings each night required the cast and crew to be prepared for any possible scenario. 

“It’s difficult because our actors have to follow 10 different plot lines, but it was worth it,” said sophomore student director Laila Wehbi. “The plot twists are great, and you never know what it’s going to be.” 

“I have to memorize and prepare for around 216 possible combinations each night,” reiterated senior Joe Kuester, who plays Mr. Boddy. “The show is truly all about adapting.”

Additionally, with an eight-person cast, each character had to take on a heavy number of lines and blocking. Thus, the memorization of lines and creating cast chemistry was crucial.

“The show has been a lot more work than me and the other actors initially thought,” said Kuester. “Although it has shocked me, I feel we’re adapting to a lot of the challenges that are coming at us during the rehearsal process really well.” 

Another challenge that came up during the rehearsal process for Clue the Musical was working out the music.

“The music was very complicated, as there were several parts with complex harmonies,” said Wehbi. “It took a lot of work, but with the help of our musical director, Caroline Stewart, we were able to figure it out.”

Nevertheless, the cast and crew of Clue were extremely excited to present the musical after months of preparing blocking, lines, and choreography, rehearsing diligently for countless hours after school and before break.

The cast also discussed how the show allowed them to bring their interpretations of each character of Clue to life, and how they chose to incorporate different aspects as they pleased.

“My character is fierce and doesn’t fear what people think, and I feel I’m kind of the opposite,” said sophomore Ashley Miller, who plays the detective. “I had to tap into that fierce component of me that wishes to be their own person.”

Other students were able to tap into their own personalities to play their roles. 

“Since I had the role of the narrator, I tried to make a lot of the mannerisms similar to what I considered would be my character’s,” said Kuester. “But, I also liked that I could switch from Mr. Boddy when I interacted with the other characters and Joe when I interacted with the audience. That’s why I wanted the role in the first place. It’s very different from the roles I’ve previously played and a lot of fun.” 

The cast put on extraordinary performances in the open dress rehearsal on February 23 and the two shows on February 25 and 26. Overall, the students loved the humorous musical and getting to know one another through the performance. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in this funny of a show, and I’m so happy with how the cast has bonded these past couple of weeks,” said junior Meera Laskar.

Edited by Kelsey Li