‘CLUE Onstage’

Berryville High School Bobcat Drama will present its fall theatre production of “CLUE Onstage (High School Edition)” for three public performances this week.

The play will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, and Friday, Nov. 15, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, in the BHS Performing Arts Center.

Tickets may be purchased at https://onthestage. tickets/ show/ berryville- high-school/67056 223c7ff180f558769fe.

The play is a “whodunit” murder mystery/comedy based on the board game of the same name. Guests are invited to Boddy Manor on a stormy evening, unaware of why they have been summoned. Those on the invite list include Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Miss Peacock, and Mr. Green. They are greeted by Wadsworth the Butler, Yvette the maid, and the Cook.

As the evening progresses, secrets are revealed, weapons are presented, and mayhem ensues, and murders are committed! Who can be trusted, if anyone? Is anyone safe from harm? Will any of the rooms provide a safe haven? Only time (and the undead characters) will tell.

Senior Oliver Bemis, who portrays Wadsworth, said the play includes both dramatic and comedic elements, “It’s certainly a blend of both,” he said. “I would say it has its very dramatic highs, but they’re almost sort of melodramatic. The comedy is the real binding energy of the show.”

Sophomore Andrew Griesenauer does double duty in the production, portraying the chief of police as well as serving as the technical director, overseeing the set, lights and sound.

“It’s a little bit difficult, I will say, but it has been very fun so far,” he said. “But it’s a really fun production. It’s very intricate, but overall it’s been very fun to work on.”

Senior Faith McKinney plays Mrs. Peacock.

“She’s very witty. She’s very fun,” McKinney said. “She’s a little crazy at times, but I love her.” The students have been working on the production for about eight weeks.

“It’s been a very fun experience,” said McKinney, who has been involved in theatre productions since her freshman year. “Everyone is super talented and I’m just glad to be a part of this whole thing.”

Senior Jacob Ellis plays Colonel Mustard, whom Ellis describes as “kind of the comic relief of the show.”

“It’s definitely been enjoyable,” Ellis said. “I’d say that the actors are definitely doing their best to sort of excel the comedy of the show in their roles as their characters.”

Senior Ashlee Bills is an assistant stage manager. She said she enjoys working backstage, even though it can sometimes be challenging.

“We have really small wings,” she said. “So whenever we have to move furniture, it’s trying to time it with the lighting and just make sure everything runs smoothly and the actors get out for their cues and making sure everyone’s all good.”

Other cast members include Keily Diaz as Yvette, Syndnee Carlson as Mrs. White, Sadie Sharp as Miss Scarlet, AC Calvillo as Professor Plum and Karson Casey as Mr. Green. Others are Valleska Hernandez as Cook, Reece Williams as Boddy, Austin Hattenhauer as the Motorist, Ford Byerley as Unexpected Cop and Auxiliary Mustard, Molly Staats as Scarlet Understudy and Auxiliary Scarlet, Aubrey Lee as the Singing Telegram Girl, Maranatha Ross as the Backup Cop, Kynadei Spring as Singing Telegram Understudy and Eva Ellis as Auxiliary Scarlet Understudy.

Stage Manager for the play production is Sage Tresler, with Ashlee Bills and Aubrey Lee as Assistant Stage Managers. Sound crew members include Josh Laibwij, Aislin Estilette and Addison Tiegen. Light Crew members include Gavin Corser, Bella Sayer, Maynor Valiente-Cruz and Dakota Pierce.

The play is directed by Meleia Lewis.