Greetings!
In these far from normal times, directing Clue has offered some sense of normalcy. A year ago, we never could have imagined producing a fully staged production from our living rooms. Current events have forced us to think outside the box.
Our students have had so many substitutes and cancellations over the past 11 months. That made it necessary to create a memorable learning experience versus another substitute or missed opportunity. We re-created the safe space that The Gateway Playhouse provides so students can find their “corner of the sky”. I’m certain this experience has allowed all of our actors to grow, develop, adapt, and reflect, as much as it has for me as a Director and Educator.
Even with only 10 rehearsals and 3 weeks to mount Clue, lowering our standards and expectations was not an option. Throughout this journey, our “willing suspension of disbelief” added to the magic of what you are going to see - a LIVE production, with a PLOT.
It’s no secret these performances are happening at home. Students accepted and exceeded the daunting challenge of setting up their own prop tables, cameras, microphones, lighting equipment, and performing spaces.
When I saw the (virtual) version of the Stage Production of Clue - I immediately knew Gateway to the Arts was the right venue to bring this classic board game to life … Then, I read the script a little more closely, and started to panic. I thought, how are we going to show these iconic characters, locations and weapons to our audience through a computer screen in the middle of a pandemic?
I remembered....it's a GAME! So...the idea of a gameboard came to life, with one room flowing into another. The concept of using a huge array of props and game cards surfaced, and we knew that while this was an ambitious undertaking, it was, in fact, the adventure we all needed.
This production surely didn’t happen alone! My extreme gratitude to Katherine Friedman, and the entire cast, they embraced my “make it work” approach. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Keith Cooper, Jim Dalfonso, Katie Calvi, Karen Sutherland and the rest of the board of directors at The Gateway Playhouse. They continue to recognize the importance of educational experiences like this, and the power theater has on our community.
I hope that you can join us this summer for the classic musical, Oklahoma and the rip-roaring Gilbert and Sullivan comedy, The Pirates of Penzance.
Registration for our summer program will go on sale next week!
Mr. Philip Pallitto
Director of Educational Programming, Gateway Playhouse
