ADAMS — The South Jefferson High School Drama Club is used to dealing with murder, secrets and intrigue with its usual fare of Shakespeare plays.

But something different was decided upon for the spring show, even though the students didn't stray from the above themes. Instead of characters such as Puck and Macbeth, Col. Mustard and Professor Plum will stroll the stage when "Clue" is presented on Friday and Saturday.

"I don't think it's been performed around here," said South Jefferson High School English teacher and drama club adviser Brenna R. Ginger. "The kids found it."

"Clue" is based on the popular Hasbro board game in which players must solve a murder mystery that takes place in a mansion. The play is based on the movie version of "Clue," released in 1988. Both were written by British writer/producer Jonathan Lynn.

The play is set in the 1950s when six guests gather at a mansion to confront their blackmailer, Mr. Boddy, played by Steven Hanson.

"We're having a lot of fun with it," said Mrs. Ginger, a 2000 Immaculate Heart Central School graduate who is in her second year of advising the drama club. "It's more of a comedy than anything else."

She said the students have embraced the "Clue" production.

"All I have to do is set them up and watch them go, and they really take off!" she said.

The show's humor includes lots of improvisation and physical hijinks.

"That's something the kids really excel at," Mrs. Ginger said. "That's where the Shakespeare training comes in."

She said the mix of drama and comedy performed by the drama club is a useful variety for the students. "Many of them want to go into drama professionally and study dramatic arts," Mrs. Ginger said.

About a month before the show, Mrs. Ginger said the sets were a work in progress. "The sets have been a challenge, because there are so many rooms," she said.

Mrs. Ginger said the use of several doorways and/or a giant Clue game board reproduction as a stage backdrop were being considered.

"We always love audience participation," she said. "We'll be running all over through the auditorium. It won't be all focused on the stage."

■ / /

The cast of South Jefferson High School's production of "Clue":

Tyler Graves as Wadsworth; Leah Purdy, Yvette; Kylie Joyner, Mrs. White; Casey Lambert, Professor Plum; Andrew Richardson, Mr. Green; William Wratten, Col. Mustard; Ashley DeMar, Miss Scarlet; Steven Hanson, Mr. Boddy; Lisa Sampson, the singing telegram girl; Matt Jenkins, the motorist; Mandy Coman, the evangelist/FBI agent; Scott Thomas, the "figure in black"; Courtney Spink, an officer; Mindy Nichols, Mrs. Ho, and Malarie Gokey, Mrs. Peacock.

Playing "cops" are Morgan Shelmidine, Giulia DiLeonardo, Brittany Golden, Brittany Kuzio and Aaron Baker.

On the stage crew: Devon Bache, Matthew Ryder, Kristen Waddel, Wendy Fitzgerald and Heaven Perkins.