CLUE Delivers Laughter, Mystery, and Mayhem in the Black Box

From November 6-8, 2025, the Will Parker Black Box Theater was transformed into the mysterious Boddy Manor where mischief, mayhem, and a slew of outrageous characters reigned supreme in the classic whodunit comedy Clue. Based on the screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and adapted for the stage by Sandy Rustin, the student-led performance showcased the cast and crew’s theatrical talent and technical creativity with a fresh dose of slapstick humor and clever stagecraft.

As the lights dimmed, the dinner guests arrived one by one introducing us to each over the top character in turn. Miss Scarlet was confidence embodied, Colonel Mustard blustered around, and Yvette’s flair served her well, until it didn’t. Mrs. Peacock’s neuroticism, Mrs. White’s quiet irritation, and Professor Plum’s pomposity were on full display. Wadsworth transitioned seamlessly from eerie calm to frantic pacing and back again, while Miss Green’s anxious timidity provided a perfect cover. Together with the hilarious supporting characters, every moment contributed to the fast-paced fun from the first knock to the final reveal.

Gray Liu ’27, who portrayed the bold and self-assured Miss Scarlet, remarks on the challenge of tackling a character like this. “I think it's amazing I get to portray confident and strong female characters. In real life, I am not the boldest person, so it was interesting testing out different approaches in presenting Miss Scarlet over the course of rehearsal. I really enjoy acting as a character who is very different from myself. It's a very fun challenge!”

The crew’s attention to detail—along with quick scene changes, expressive lighting, and colorful costuming—brought the world of Clue to life. Audiences moved with the cast through each room, from the study, to the dining room, to the library, indicated by rotating nameplates and creative staging elements, including a portrait that looked suspiciously like Head of School Tony Jacacci.

Stage manager Haisu (Sue) Zhao ’26 remarks on the challenges that a space like the Black Box presents. “The black box is three-sided, and as the stage was divided into different rooms with doors and furniture, it was a challenge to ensure sight visibility for all sides and coordinate all actors at once. We worked really hard to keep everyone’s attention and move efficiently, while valuing actors’ input and discussing characters’ nuanced choices at the same time.”

Clue is a fast-paced, interdependent show and requires true commitment from all cast and crew members in order for it to work. Liu notes, "There are a lot of details that go into both blocking, props, and lines that are important to the story, and it was challenging getting everything exactly right. This show was an amazing learning experience and taught me a lot about what working as a team really means. Tabor Drama is a very kind and tight knit community, and I have loved [performing] with the amazing teachers and peers."

Zhao echoes those sentiments noting, “It was really, really fun. As a senior, this was my last fall drama, so saying goodbye to this show was especially bittersweet. However, watching the scenes play out from backstage during show nights, I felt really rewarded, like a proud parent watching their grown-up kids. The fulfillment of putting together a show is incomparable. My experience in drama has indeed compelled me to continue doing student theatre productions in college.”

By the end of the weekend, Clue had proved to be another memorable success for Tabor’s performing arts program—a display of classic comedy and creative student collaboration that left audiences guessing, giggling, and genuinely impressed.