This past weekend, the drama department brought the iconic whodunit Clue to life in an incredible stage production filled with suspense and comedy. Based on the iconic board game and cult-classic film, the HFC theatre brought beloved Clue characters like Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, and Professor Plum to life. The production, directed by Mr. Califano, masterfully brought the comedy-mystery to life, delivering an incredible performance in a meticulously crafted set designed to resemble the grandeur of Boddy Manor. From the opening scene, it was evident that the cast and crew had poured their hearts and talent into every detail.
Backstage, there were a lot of nerves and anticipation as the cast and crew prepared for opening night on Friday, December 6th. The energy behind the scenes was a mix of excitement and pre-show jitters, with last-minute costume adjustments, mic checks, and run-throughs of lines and cues. Despite the occasional chaos, the teamwork and enthusiasm among the group were undeniable.
For senior Diego Penate, who took on the lead role of Wadsworth, the show was a culmination of years of hard work and passion for theater. “This was one of my dream shows,” Penate shared. “All of the skills I’ve gained over the years were finally put to the test. And for what I’ve learned from it… stress management was definitely the biggest thing. It’s incredible to see how far I’ve come as a person and especially as a senior, I had to bypass all the academic stress to focus on having a lead role and doing multiple shows at the same time.” Earlier this year, Diego performed as Beadle Bamford from Sweeney Todd in a production by the Sunrise Theatre Company. As a senior, Diego also reflected on the bittersweetness of leaving the HFC Drama Club. “I’m going to miss the variety of talented actors here and the opportunities to perform without the pressure of paying for community theater. It’s been a gift, and I’m also just going to miss all my underclassmen and peers.”
Other seniors shared similar sentiments about saying goodbye. Alex Lobue, who played the Singing Telegram Girl, expressed her gratitude for the experiences she’s had. “I’m just going to miss Carey Theater in general, the stage, the people, and everything” she said. Edward Silverman, who played Mr. Boddy agreed: “I’m definitely going to miss the people. I mean, it’s been really fun getting to know them, talking to them, and putting on a show with them.”
For some cast members, Clue marked the start of their theater journey. Matthew Cangelosi, who played Colonel Mustard, said, “Before this, I had no other experience. This was my introduction to theater, and I’ve learned a lot from my cast members and the director. It’s been a great start for me.” EnzaMaria Mauceli, who took on the role of Mrs. Peacock was also excited about her first year: “This is my first role in a theater production, and I’m honestly really happy to be here. Everyone has been a pleasure to work with.”
The dynamics between the characters were what truly made Clue a memorable experience for both the cast and the audience. “The characters are all so different, and that’s what makes the show exciting,” said Lobue, who portrayed the brief but memorable Singing Telegram Girl. “It’s fun to be part of a show where you’re surrounded by such interesting people, even if you’re only on stage for five seconds before getting shot!” she added with a laugh. The cast brought all of Clue‘s unique characters to life, each with their own distinct personality. Cangelosi explained, “I think the mystery is a big part of Clue, but also the characters themselves are exciting. They all have these big, loud personalities, and they’re really different from each other.” Mrs. Peacock, portrayed by EnzaMaria Mauceli, added, “my favorite thing about my character is that she’s not afraid to speak her mind, especially when she’s upset,” Mauceli said. “She’ll tell you exactly what she thinks, no matter the consequences.”
The production was not without its challenges—and its laughs. “Rehearsals were so fun,” said Mauceli. “On the first day, during Act One, we literally couldn’t stop laughing. We would say one line, and everyone would just lose it for no reason. It’s just like a silly little memory.” For Cangelosi, one rehearsal mishap stood out. “Ashton [Velasquez, who played Mr. Green] was supposed to accidentally shoot a gun, but he messed up his line and said, ‘anyways,’ and then just shot into the air. It was hilarious.”
And it seems there were some real mysteries behind the scenes as well. Rumor has it that the set for Clue was haunted—as props kept going missing. “There were times when props just disappeared,” admitted production manager Joveria Hasnat. “I actually had to bring in more fake guns because of it. Thankfully, everything worked out in the end, but it was a challenge.” She especially thanks her fellow production members, Ann-Christy Jean-Louis, Emie Marsha Lagurre, and Eva Orellana for working so hard to put things together.
The technical side of the production was another obstacle for the crew to tackle. Stage crew president Ashton Velasquez explained that this year’s set featured more moving pieces than ever before, including a rolling cabinet and a large couch. “This is the first year we’ve had multiple moving parts. It was challenging to adjust to, but with teamwork, we managed to pull it off,” he said. Velasquez also praised the efforts of Mr. Vonni, the stage crew advisor. “He’s the man with the plan. He directed us on how to build everything, and it worked perfectly.” The team sends a special thank you to their advisors: stage crew advisors Mr. Vonni and Ms. Solano, as well as Mr. Ferraro, the Sound/Light advisor.
Stage crew members like Eve Manolakos and Stephen Webber also talked about the challenges and specifics on what it was like being a stage crew member. “This year’s set was bigger and more complex, with pieces like a rotating library cabinet, a couch, and an investigation board, so we really had to get it to run smoothly” said Manolakos. Webber added, “There’s just so many people on the team. It’s not always a well-oiled machine, but it always comes together in the end.” Another crew member, Kurt Flordeliza, said that moving and carrying things across stage was actually his favorite part of the job.
To pitch the play to someone who has never seen it before, Marista Lemonis, who played Mrs. White, described Clue as “a very loud, very funny murder mystery with twists and turns that will surprise everyone.” She added, “We go through each of the seven character’s backgrounds, and the audience gets to see how it ties into the plot.” Antonio Negron, who portrayed Professor Plum, encouraged the audience to look out for the play’s climactic ending: “The last scene is definitely a good way to end it.”
Before the show began, director Mr. Califano shared a few words of gratitude and excitement: “I was happy to come to Carey and be able to jump right into extracurriculars, especially drama, which I’ve done for years. It thought it was very special, like it was all just meant to be,” he said. When asked about his favorite part of working on Clue and guiding the cast, Califano highlighted the group’s sense of humor and resilience. “It’s a funny show, and we all have a great sense of humor about things. Even when actors or actresses get flustered or nervous, we make a big joke out of it and have a good time so we don’t get stressed out.” As for what audiences should look out for, Califano teased a few hidden surprises. “There are a few Easter eggs— if you played the game, you’ll know what they are. I think the older generations might find some interesting references; some younger generations might even realize that it’s things that they are learning about in class, so it’s a history lesson as well as a fun time.”
The HFC production of Clue was a celebration of talent, teamwork, and great storytelling. For those who watched—and those who participated—the opening night did not disappoint! Read our next story for highlights, fan-favorite characters, audience reactions, and a review of the play itself!
