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Shadows, Schemes, and Slapstick: CHS Brings Clue to Life
- Quinn Mcphee
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
From Nov. 13–15, the Cascade School District presented its fall play, Clue, based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn, which was itself adapted from the Paramount Pictures film and the classic board game Clue. The CHS Drama Club brought the iconic mystery to life onstage through slapstick humor, witty dialogue, and energetic ensemble performances. Photo credit: Ingrid Stockman (11) & Audrey Slatta (11)
As Professor Plum, played by Tristan Wetzel (11), comforts Yvette, played by Ella Ising (10), his witty lines—delivered with panache throughout the play—highlight Plum’s arrogant, flirtatious personality and storied past.
The Motorist, played by Leo Durst (10), sits in the lounge shouting into the phone while trying to find a way home after his car breaks down in the rain, it becomes clear that he is just one in a lineup of intriguing characters arriving at the Boddy mansion—each destined to meet their own uniquely dramatic and darkly comedic demise. “I enjoyed watching people make progress in their lines and watching the newcomers especially make progress in theirs,” said Leo Durst (10).
Ms. Scarlet, played by Georgia Holm (11); Mrs. Peacock, played by Mia Schons (12); Mr. Green, played by Adan Vargas (11); Wadsworth, played by Grace Schumacher (10); and Yvette, played by Ella Ising (10), huddle together as they scheme and connive—each trying to prove their own innocence while plotting a plan to uncover the murderer. The group’s plotting adds a layer of suspense and humor, keeping the audience guessing.
Ms. Scarlet, played by Georgia Holm (11), faces the others, shrugging her shoulders with a confused look while holding a scarlet flower in her right hand—remembering that flowers usually have five petals, not four—just before she and Colonel Mustard are finally allowed out of the lounge. Props like Ms. Scarlet’s flower posed a unique challenge for the stage crew, requiring attention to detail and careful coordination. “Probably trying to find all the appropriate materials for the production and making sure everybody has the specific props they need for their parts,” said Marit Hepler (10).
Wadsworth, played by Grace Schumacher (10), serves as both the butler of the Boddy mansion and the witty narrator of the slapstick mystery. Just before intermission, Wadsworth speaks directly to the audience—recapping the chaos so far, teasing what might happen next, and asking whether they have any clues about the true perpetrator. Later, in a dramatic twist, Wadsworth leaps out from behind the group and points a gun at them, revealing that he is actually the real Mr. Boddy, and that the supposed butler, the real Mr. Wadsworth, was merely his decoy. “I really liked Wadsworth. I thought he was really funny and it was entertaining to watch,” said Lavender McMillin (10).
Mr. Green, played by first-time thespian Adan Vargas (11), initially pretends to be drunk while sitting atop the slain Motorist, trying to conceal the murder from the visiting police officer. In a dramatic twist, he later draws his gun and reveals his true identity as an undercover FBI agent, sent to dismantle the Boddy family’s schemes and apprehend the remaining suspects.
Mrs. Peacock, played by Mia Schons (12), a middle-aged, holier-than-thou character, casts a worried glance to the left, as if fearful of being discovered for some misdeed. Later in the play, Peacock attempts to hide behind a tall plant, a cigarette dangling from her mouth, adding comedic tension to her scheming persona.
The CHS production of Clue kept audiences laughing, guessing, and fully engaged from start to finish. Between clever dialogue, dramatic twists, and meticulous attention to props and stage details, the cast and crew delivered a memorable performance that highlighted the energy, creativity, and teamwork of the Drama Club.
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