MPHS actors answer all the questions

MT. PLEASANT — The Heatilator Performing Arts Center plunged into darkness, lightning lit up the stage, and thunder rumbled in the theater as guests sat on the edge of their seats as Mt. Pleasant High School students gave an engaging performance of Clue by Sandy Rustin, Hunter Foster and Eric Price.

Familiar characters from the Hasboro game of Clue, Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Mr. Green, Professor Plum, Ms White and Ms Peacock filled an intricately designed stage where they delved into a mysterious “Who done it.”

Through the continued prompting of the butler, played by Robbie Heaton, the cast made their way through room after room as they sought to uncover who did it, with what weapon, and where.

This entertaining and comedic story flipped and turned almost as much as the set walls.

According to Director Marele DePriest, “The biggest challenge was our stage. We don't have a very big stage and we have almost no wing space on the sides to put things.”

“Coming up with a show where we could do all the different rooms was very challenging,” she said.

With the help of Dawn and Kevin Wiley, they created space for the hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen, ballroom, library, and study.

Walls flipped open like books, rooms spun out like Lazy Susans, and stage dressings and hidden panels transformed rooms and created a mansion’s worth of space on the small stage.

With this inventive set, the cast also committed to challenging blocking which included actors that opened walls, rearranged furniture, and assisted in pulling props up into the acting space from the front of the stage.

To further create this space, actors remained frozen like living paintings while in rooms not currently in the story.

That is not the only way the actors used their bodies to further add to the story.

Mr. Green, played by Brighton Weir, provided many moments of physical comedy throughout the play.

“Oh, sorry. Sorry. I'm a bit clumsy, I suppose,” Mr. Green said as he spilled his drink on Miss Scarlet.

As he searched for a seat during one scene, Mr. Green chooses to rest against a serving table, which then resulted in him falling loudly.

Comedic bits from Mr. Green continued as he found himself trapped under a dead body, more than once.

Mr. Green brought out many laughs from the audience as he fell under the weight of a falling chandelier, in slow motion.

Heaton also got in on the physical comedy of the play as he found multiple moments to literally throw himself to the floor, roll around, and jump right back up.

The cast worked together beautifully throughout the production.

At one point, they all exclaimed in perfect unison, “Ze Cook!” before they follow one another to the kitchen and pile through the door.

With commitment to their character, these talented high school students created many startling screams throughout the play.

The actors committed to their characters throughout the production in tone of voice, projection, and body language.

Summer Schroeder, who played Mrs. Peacock successfully conveyed disgust through facial expressions and emotions in her voice as she suffered through accusations.

Miss Scarlet, played by Natalie McCormick, commonly wore a sultry smile across her red-painted lips and Miss White, played by Jordan Crooks, maintained impeccable posture.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com