This weekend, the Owensville Community Theatre will be transformed into the eerie and elegant Boddy Manor, the setting for a thrilling live adaptation of the 1985 film “Clue.”

The stage production, set against the atmospheric backdrop of a 1954 mansion, promises a weekend full of intrigue and suspense, with performances scheduled for Aug. 9-10 at 7 p.m. and an Aug. 11 matinee at 2 p.m.

One night, after working on last year’s haunted house at the theatre, local couple Anthony “Tony” and Ryann Alvarez watched the show featuring Tim Curry when Ryann was inspired to produce it locally. They shared the idea with other members of the theatre “troupe” — as they refer to themselves — and were surprised to find how widespread knowledge of the film was.

Initially proposed to the board in January and approved in late March, the cast has been working hard to bring the production to life with up to four practices each week.

Scene shifting was noted as one of the more challenging aspects of production, with scenes taking place in all nine rooms of Boddy Manor, along with visible secret passages. This set will be the largest the theatre has to date and this production will be the first to have live music, delivered by keyboardist Pamela Williams.

Board Vice-President and Director Kaye West describes her favorite part of directing: “I love watching how the characters grow and change from the beginning of the play until we are ready to perform it for the public.”

West has a long history with theatrical productions in Owensville having directed plays at Owensville junior and high schools from 1976 to 2004 and from 2004 to the present at Owensville Community Theatre. She shared 11 of the 21 cast members had previously been in her classroom.

Cast members say it’s important to gradually introduce characters during the play and have a shared view that they need to make the characters their own.

“I really love Madelynn Kahn,” said Ryann, who plays Mrs. White. “I have seen the movie, but it was a little bit of a challenge for me because I didn’t want to do it exactly how she did it.”

Board President Ken Ellis explained it is better to use the performances of others as guidelines. “You don’t want to emulate somebody,” he said. Ellis plays the Chief of Police.

Tony described his character, Wadsworth, as having a lot of layers that are peeled back throughout the production.

“The actors and actresses for the play Clue are wonderful to work with. The set crew and the tech crew have worked tirelessly throughout this play,” West said reflecting on production. “The play has been a challenge, but it’s going to be awesome.”

“We’re hoping to see a really good response from the community so we can continue to do bigger and more,” Tony Alvarez said.

All proceeds from this performance will be used to keep the art of theatre within the Owensville community, either by funding future productions or simply keeping the facility operational. Tickets are $14 at the door or $12 with a senior discount. Some lucky individuals received buy-one-get-one half-off or dollar-off coupons during the recent fair parade.

With so many theatres closing due to upkeep costs, Board President Ken Ellis hopes this production will help people realize the theatre is open and spark a passion in local residents.

“Amazing stuff has happened here,” Alvarez said. “I think people will be very pleasantly surprised to see what can be done in a small local theatre in Owensville, Missouri.”

Whether as cast or audience, the theatre is a great place to make family memories, according to Ryann.

To get involved with Owensville Community Theatre, visit them on Facebook or reach out to Board President Ken Ellis or Vice-President Kaye West. The “troupe” is waiting with open arms to accept anyone seeking to join in on the fun.

Sponsors for this production include Walmart and Lakeside Book Company as honorary producers; Legends Bank as honorary director; The Maries County Bank as honorary playwright; The American Girl Salon, DJB3 Accounting & Tax Service, and Foxboro Industries Inc. as honorary actors; and Friends of the Owensville Community Theatre, including Tom Bloemke Insurance Agency, Lane Building Products, John Scego Auto Boy, Havener’s Termite & Insect Control, Chastity A. Menz CPA, LLC, and Awards for All Stars LLC.”