Dinner Is Served — Along With Murder
Ottawa's high school theatre scene is no stranger to ambitious productions, but St. Joseph High School's recent staging of Clue (High School Edition) raised the bar with a performance that kept audiences genuinely guessing from the first course to the final reveal.
Directed by Sarah Jennings, the show — listed as Show #18 in this year's Cappies circuit — transformed Boddy Manor into a pressure cooker of pent-up secrets, suspicious glances, and razor-sharp comedic timing. Six guests. One manor. A dinner party where the appetizer is intrigue and the main course is murder.
A Cast That Commands the Room
Based on the beloved board game and the cult classic 1985 film, Clue (High School Edition) is notoriously difficult to pull off. The material demands split-second physical comedy, layered character work, and the kind of ensemble chemistry that can't be faked. St. Joseph's cast delivered on all fronts.
Reviewed by Lauren Shaikh of St. Paul High School for the Ottawa Cappies program, the production earned praise for its unpredictability — one of the highest compliments you can give a mystery play. When an audience genuinely doesn't know what's coming next, the cast is doing something right.
The Cappies (Critics and Awards Program) is a long-running initiative that pairs high school critics with high school productions, giving young theatre-makers real feedback from their peers. Ottawa schools participate in the program each spring, culminating in a gala awards night that celebrates the best student performances across the city.
Why High School Theatre Matters in Ottawa
Ottawa's high school theatre community is one of the most vibrant and underappreciated corners of the city's arts scene. Productions like this one at St. Joseph remind audiences that the next generation of Ottawa performers, directors, and designers is already doing serious, exciting work.
For families, drama students, and anyone who loves live theatre, Cappies shows are a genuine treat — tickets are affordable, the energy is electric, and you never know when you're watching a future NAC mainstage star take their first bow.
Catch the Cappies Season While You Can
The Ottawa Cappies season runs through the spring, with dozens of high school productions reviewed and eligible for awards across acting, design, and direction categories. If Clue at St. Joseph is any indication, this year's gala is going to have some fierce competition.
Keep an eye on the Ottawa Cappies website for the full schedule of remaining shows — and don't sleep on your local high school stage. Some of the most surprising theatre happening in this city right now has a student cast.
Source: Ottawa Citizen / Cappies, reviewed by Lauren Shaikh, St. Paul High School
