As the fall season approaches, leaves begin to change, and the spotlights begin to heat up for Manchester High School’s annual fall show, produced by The Sock N’ Buskin Drama Club.

Jenna Castonguay, director of Sock N’ Buskin, announced on the 17th of September that the 2024 fall play will be: Clue On Stage!

Based on the well known 1985 film and the even more popular 1949 Hasbro board game, Clue is a “hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery.” Taking place during an ominous dinner party, six characters are given iconic aliases well-known by players of the classic game. These characters, known as Colonel Mustard, Miss Scarlet, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. White, and Professor Plum partake in an evening filled with comedy… and murder.

Clue: On Stage is a bold departure from Sock N’ Buskin’s previous shows; enhancing a more funny tone for their show, rather than a serious undertone like years prior.

All questions were answered when I sat down with Ms. Castonguay for an interview to answer the question: why Clue? 

When asked how she decides what the play should be, Castonguay describes her process by stating that she thinks about “the current body of students that we have,” and how she strives to “find something that both gets to exhibit the talents that we have, but also have a really good growth opportunity for the students.” With 17 speaking roles, Clue was the perfect choice for Sock N’ Buskin students.

As Castonguay expressed her excitement about her most recent creative project, she also mentioned the uptick in new members this year. She added “Everyone is getting along and building a really good community.” Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable decrease in performing arts participation, so the noted quantity of incoming student members is a good indication of things returning to the way they were prior to the pandemic.

Clue: On Stage is set to take place on November 14th, 15th, and 16th at 7 pm.