With a cast of 20, Rochester High School theater program presents a fresh adaptation of 'Clue'

Emily Fitzgerald, The Chronicle, Centralia, Wash.
·3 min read

Nov. 3—For their upcoming fall production, Rochester High School's theater students were keen on performing "Clue," a play based on the iconic murder mystery game that features six color-coded characters.

"Trouble is, we have a cast of 20," said Rochester High School theater teacher Doug West.

To give all students a spot on the stage, Doug and Elizabeth West dove into the color wheel, creating a wide range of new characters such as Viscount Magenta, Senator Brass and Mamzel Sable.

"We just kept with the theme of colors, and their color has something to do with what they do for a living," said Elizabeth West, a longtime volunteer who has written and adapted several plays for the school's theater program.

Describing the show, Elizabeth West said, "This is a serious Clue. It's not the silly one."

Audience members are encouraged to interact with the show by using the detective notepads on the backs of their programs to keep track of clues, eliminate suspects and solve the mystery themselves before voting on who they think the killer is during the show's second intermission.

The killer will be revealed after audience members cast their votes, Doug West said.

The show features six Rochester High School graduating seniors, several of whom plan to pursue careers in acting or directing thanks to their experiences with Rochester's theater program.

"It did start my love of directing and so now I actually know what I want to do with my life, which is cool," senior Kyndra Gamez said.

Those who aren't planning to pursue acting-related careers got valuable experience out of the program as well.

"I think I'm definitely going to miss the theater program, but I'll come back to watch all the performances and cheer everybody on because the theater program has really helped me gain my self confidence," senior Madi Beck said.

If you go

"Clue" runs Nov. 17-18, with a show at 7 p.m. each day, at Rochester High School, located at 19800 Carper Road SW in Rochester. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and military, and $8 for students.

The show will have a second run Feb. 23-24 at Swede Hall in Rochester. Showtimes and ticket prices for the Swede Hall performances, which will be in a dinner theater format, have not been finalized.

"Last year's price was $35, but they have not finalized the price for this year — they expect to in December," Elizabeth West said. "We are very excited that they asked us to be a part of their event."

Proceeds from the Swede Hall shows will be split between the Rochester Citizen's Group and Rochester High School, according to Doug West.

Cast list

Butler: Liam Tackett

Miss Scarlet: Hadley Hughes

Ms. Olive: Kyndra Gamez

Colonel Mustard: Matthew Deel

Professor Plum: Madi Beck

Mrs. White: Maya Ashlee

Mamzel Sable: Coreyna Parris

Mrs. Peacock: Daniela Damone

Miss Green: Madison Maes

Miss Coral: Elsa Freeberg

Ms. Azure: Violet Wolfe

Mrs. Gold: Paige Mendez Baker

Viscount Magenta: Marshall Fields

Ms. Pine: Rayne Schoolcraft

Miss Sage; Ammaree Langley

Ms. Ginger: Max Burrell

Sir Sterling" Malik Whearty

Mrs. Mauve: Scarlett Minich

Senator Brass: Zane Sanford

Counselor Grey: Corey Parris

Ms. Cherry: Arwen Schoolcraft

Morton Body: Christian Crossland

Detective Smith: Julie Danielson

Crew

Director: Doug West

Student director: Kyndra Gamez

Costumes: Elizabeth West

Light/sound: Dayton Gamez

Mural painting: Day BAlcorta

Set construction: Stage tech class

Weapons: Shawn Ashlee