JADE HEASLEY/The Luminary Members of Montgomery Area High School's Virtuoso were beaming after their crowd-pleasing performance of "Clue" on December 3rd.  From left, the main cast members were:  Bradyn Foresman (Colonel Mustard), Colton Hessler (Professor Plum), Gabriel McNear (Wadsworth), Natalie St. James (Mrs. White), Ava Peluso (Miss Scarlet), Addison Heasley (Yvette), Geoffrey Short (Mr. Green), and Madeline Bender (Mrs. Peacock).

Virtuoso performed “Clue” in the Montgomery Area High School auditorium on December 2nd and 3rd. It was the first time in two years that the theatre ensemble was able to do a full stage show because of the pandemic.

The play is based on the board game “Clue”, and for the audience, the fun began as soon as they walked into the auditorium. The ushers handed out the programs in manila envelopes stamped “Confidential” reminiscent of the envelope that holds the solution cards in the board game. It also contained a Clue notebook sheet in case the audience members wanted to keep track of the action and make their own guesses. Before the show began, a wonderful selection of big band and mid-century music played over the PA system.

The plot follows a group of strangers who are invited to Boddy Manner for a dinner party on a stormy night. A murder occurs, and mystery and intrigue follow as the guests try to survive the evening. The young performers did an exceptional job balancing all the aspects of a challenging comedic script that featured suspense, black mail, sheer terror, and madcap humor and stunts that the audience thoroughly enjoyed. The crew members also did a fantastic job making sure everything flowed smoothly.

The audience gave the students a standing ovation, and afterwards they asked the audience for a moment of their time. The senior members of the cast and the crew shared heartfelt words of appreciation to the audience for coming to support them after not being able to perform onstage in nearly two years. Additionally, the performances were free admission as a way of thanking the community for supporting them throughout the pandemic.

Virtuoso is co-directed by Carina McNear and Jessica Carpenter. In the Directors’ Notes they shared, “This production represents much more than the 2021-2022 season’s fall show. ‘Clue’ represents Virtuoso’s return to live theatre after a two-year hiatus. The pandemic has affected all of our lives in different ways. For Virtuoso, it solidified our philosophies of family and innovation. Rather than taking a year off, we worked together to create digital and virtual content and continued to grow and nurture students’ skills. While we will remember what we lost, we will also always remember to value each rehearsal and every minute of learning that we have together.”

During the pandemic Virtuoso did a digital show called “Inside Out” that featured student solo performances. The students put the show online for the community to enjoy in the safety of their own homes. It’s still available on the Red Raider Tube channel on YouTube.

Virtuoso will be presenting more shows in the coming months. Virtuoso Jr. will be performing “Annie KIDS” on February 24th. Virtuoso and the Vocal Workshop will have “Bach and Rock” on March 8th. The spring musical is “The Addams Family” and will be on April 29th and 30th.

The Cast – Gabriel McNear as Wadsworth, Addison Heasley as Yvette, Bradyn Foresman as Colonel Mustard, Natalie St. James as Mrs. White, Madeline Bender as Mrs. Peacock, Geoffery Short as Mr. Green, Ava Peluso as Miss Scarlet, Colton Hessler as Professor Plum, Gavin Rine as Mr. Boddy, Samantha Guyer as The Cook, Alexis DeSantis as The Motorist, Mary Green as The Cop, Elizabeth Bryson, Bradley Foresman, and Owen Sherman as The Dark Figures, Jillian Pautz as The Singing Telegram Girl, Rubi Solano as The Reporter, Matthew Moser, Shane Peck, Leah Foresman, Laila Hessler, Madison Burleigh, Elizabeth Bryson, and Lexi Boyer as The Agents, Shane Peck as The Parker Brother, Leah Foresman, Laila Hessler, Madison Burleigh, and Rubi Solano as The Parker Sisters.

The Crew – Mrs. Carina McNear and Mrs. Jessica Carpenter – Co-Directors, Mr. James Carpenter – Set Designer and Sound Technician, Mr. Trey Fox – Lighting Director, Mr. Jacob Cuddeback – Music, Aden Keister – Assistant Light and Sound Technician, Leah Foresman and Miranda Stoner – Stage Managers, Samantha Guyer – Microphones, Brayden Foresman – Photography, Lexi Woltz, Kelly Schmidt, Matthew Moser, Rihanna Arredondo, Emma Keister, Lilian Muhl, Gabryel Calderon, Nicholas Fisher, Kaidence Ramer, Bradyn Foresman, Addison Heasley, Samantha Guyer, Ava Peluso, Alexia DeSantis, Leah Foresman, Mary Green, Maddie Bender, Drenusche Imeri, Wyatt Ravert, Gabe McNear, Brad Foresman, William Puello, Caleb Stryker, Cam Bryson, Derek Truesdail, Tanner Springman, Colby Springman, Kyle Wagner – Set Work and Stage Hands, Leah Foresman – Makeup and Hair, Wyatt Ravert, Gaven Strouse, Coltin Hans, Braiden Beachel – Videography.