After my set visit during tech week to interview the cast and crew of Livingston High School’s “Clue” stage play (feature story available in the November 21 edition of the West Essex Tribune), I felt obligated to refresh my memory on all things “Clue” by watching the 1985 cult classic movie while I edited my notes. Energetic and zany as ever, I was excited to see how the high energy of the film version translated onto the stage. It should come as no surprise that under the direction of Scott Patteson, the cast and crew put on a show that was on par with professional renditions.
As we entered the high school auditorium last Thursday night, my partner, Pat, and I immediately took notice of the set design. The stage was cleverly subdivided into the different rooms of the board game. At center stage was the grand entrance. On either side of that were large, rotating platforms that each held three separate rooms. In front of the stage was designated as the dining room, and special VIP tickets were sold surrounding the dining room, where attendees got the chance to watch the performance from round cocktail lounge-style tables.
Immense credit needs to be given to technical director Brian Megaro and his Stagecraft 2 students for successfully designing this intricate set. Assistant director Maureen Biss, and student directors Kennedy Erickson and Jasmin Kadwa, also deserve kudos for making this complicated set appear seamless to audiences.
This production of “Clue: On Stage” also made creative use of LHS’ lights and sound systems. Set on a rainy night, the set often mimicked lightening flashes that felt quite realistic from the auditorium’s seats. The strikes of lightening, in combination with strobe lights and thunderous sound effects, helped transport audiences out of the auditorium and into Boddy Manor.
With so many LHS students interested in participating, director Scott Patteson divided the actors into two casts: the Dark Cast and the Stormy Cast. As an attendee of the Thursday night showing, I was treated to an amazing performance by the Stormy Cast.
While the entire cast was amazing, I feel it is important to highlight some of the actors who made a strong impression on me.
Senior Michael Mintz was truly exceptional in his role as Mr. Green. I appreciated how he was able to play with his voice to convey his character’s nervousness. His occasional squeaky voice cracks, in combination with his physical performance, helped audiences totally believe everything coming out of Mr. Green’s mouth (whether or not he was to be trusted!). Considering his character had many secrets to reveal during the 90 minute runtime, I was very impressed with how Mintz completely embodied his character.
Perhaps it is my penchant for femme fatales, but Lila Maru’s performance as Miss Scarlett was another highlight. Maru was able to confidently deliver the comedic dialogue without missing a beat. Armed with her blond wig and fake cigarette as accessories, she had the entire audience in stitches with her one-liners and innuendos.
For anyone who has seen the film “Clue” the role of Wadsworth, the butler made famous by Tim Curry’s portrayal, is an especially important one. He has the most stage/screen time, and spends a large portion ofAct II running around the stage. Angelo Tsounakis deserves immense credit for successfully bringing this iconic (Continued on Page A-5) performance to the stage. Even more noteworthy is the fact that, during key moments, he completely changed his voice. One climactic moment, when he recaps the previous events of the mystery, had him throwing himself across the set, running into different rooms, and never missing a single beat. When he completed his long monologue, the entire auditorium burst into cheers.
Michelle Jang was able to convey Mrs. White with a dry sense of humor that played especially well to the audience. Raya Sapherstein conveyed all of Mrs. Peacock’s loud, surprised reactions with honesty and earnestness, while still delivering the comedy. Ben Altstadter, who portrayed Colonel Mustard, had a noticeable swagger as he walked across the set, making it clear he embodied the character’s militaristic demeanour. Jules Goldstein’s portrayal of Professor Plum contained plenty of one-liners and moments of subtle physical comedy that highlighted her varied chops.
Working in close proximity to Tsounakis were Youanna Girgis and Kaila Barnett, who portrayed Yvette, the French maid, and the cook, respectively. Girgis sported a spot-on Parisian accent for her role, while Barnett executed her more comedic moments with ease.
The second act of “Clue: On Stage” also featured some spectacular choreography that was seamlessly implemented. While the first act contains most of the set up, introducing all the characters and their motivations, Act Two focuses on the leads trying to solve the mystery. As they split into pairs to investigate, the set was in constant motion. Period-appropriate music played while lights flashed and the cast made its way through the various rooms. It must have taken countless hours of rehearsal to master all eight cast members moving in different directions while the set was simultaneously in motion. All that practice paid off, because the complicated scene was performed perfectly.
This may have been my first LHS show, but it certainly will not be my last. I am already eagerly anticipating their spring musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone.” If it is anything like “Clue: On Stage,” it is not to be missed.
