October 7, 2026 — Wheeler High School’s theater program is taking audiences to a mysterious 1954 Washington, D.C., mansion with Clue, a fast-paced comedic murder mystery that challenges students to master everything from comedic timing to elaborate set changes.

Based on the 1985 cult classic film and the Hasbro board game, Clue follows six colorful guests who gather for a mysterious dinner party, only to discover they are all being blackmailed. When their host turns up dead, the guests must race to uncover the killer as the body count rises.

For Wheeler High School drama teacher Nicholas Morrett, the production was a natural choice after students expressed interest in performing the show.

“We read it last year, and the kids wanted to do it,” Morrett said. “I had the cast for it, and so I said, ‘Let's push the kids. Let's give it a try.’”

The production also fits into this year's theater program theme of cinema classics.

Among the cast is Eva Jordan, an 11th-grade student playing the French maid. Jordan describes her character in three words: “dramatic, nosy and frantic.”

For Jordan, the role provided an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone, particularly through the character's accent.

“I just thought it'd be a new experience to try something new with the accent,” Jordan said.

Keeping the accent consistent has also been one of her biggest challenges.

Jordan said audiences should keep an eye out for the study scene, which she identified as one of the moments she is most excited for audiences to see—without giving away any of the show's secrets.

While Clue is filled with individual characters and personalities, Morrett said the production requires an unusually high level of cooperation behind the scenes and on stage.

“This is very difficult,” Morrett said. “This is all about comedic timing. This is all about being on the ball.”

The actors must know not only their own parts but also understand what their fellow cast members are doing.

Jordan has experienced that collaborative process firsthand.

“We have to talk to each other,” she said. “We have to become friends, and we get to know each other.”

That teamwork extends beyond the cast. The actors and crew must coordinate constantly, particularly during the show's numerous set changes.

Morrett said students have developed an important skill through that process: trust.

“The cast is having to work together with each other, and they're having to work with the crew,” he said. “The crew's having to work with the cast.”

With moving scenery and numerous technical elements, everyone needs to know where they are supposed to be and when they are supposed to be there.

Morrett said he has been impressed by the cast's willingness to take risks, make themselves vulnerable on stage and push beyond their comfort zones.

Rather than holding back, Morrett said the cast has continued pushing itself to improve, diving deeper into character work while maintaining the fun and comedic energy the production requires.

That effort has come with a significant time commitment.

Morrett estimates that students have each put in at least 100 hours toward the production through rehearsals, construction, painting and work outside of class.

“Crew members have put in so much extra time in class building and painting,” he said. “Cast members have put in so much extra time rehearsing their lines and being at home rehearsing.”

Audiences can also expect the production itself to be a major part of the experience.

“Our costumes are exquisite,” Morrett said. “They're gorgeous.”

He also expects the set to make an impression, with multiple rooms represented on stage and a crew responsible for making the transitions between them happen smoothly.

“I think people will be blown away by the different rooms we have,” Morrett said. “Our crew is killing it with the set changes. How smooth everything goes. I think they're going to be amazed by what they see on the stage.”

Jordan hopes audiences will embrace the show's fast pace and enjoy trying to keep up with the twists and turns along the way.

“I hope they get a good laugh,” she said. “You really have to pay attention to understand this play. But I hope it's entertaining.”

Morrett said he wants audiences to leave with much the same feeling.

“Laughter and the good time that they had, and the talent they saw on stage,” he said.

For Jordan, the invitation to attend is simple.

“It's a fun experience,” she said. “I think everybody should see a play or two in their life.”

This show does not have an intermission.

Dates:

October 9th, 2026 - 7:00 P.M.

October 10th, 2026 - 2:00 P.M.

October 10th, 2026 - 7:00 P.M.

October 11th, 2026 - 2:00 P.M.

Tickets can be purchased here.