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All aboard! Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS is live on stage March 20 – April 6 at Ocala Civic Theatre.In 1934, the famed Orient Express is hurtling from Istanbul through wintry western Europe, with the iconic Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (John Paul Anderson Jr.) among the international passengers. Meticulous and exacting, Poirot is famously a keen observer of detail and an astute judge of character.
The train becomes stuck overnight in a snowdrift in Yugoslavia, but morning reveals an even more chilling discovery: American tycoon Samuel Ratchett (Janik Trent Buranosky) is found stabbed to death in his locked compartment. Notoriously unforgiving, this brutal businessman had plenty of enemies… almost everyone who knew him had wished him dead. But who could have done it?
Every passenger on board the legendary locomotive raises questions in Poirot’s mind – starting with the French conductor, Michel (Joel Brahim), whose knowledge of the train makes him particularly well-positioned to get away with murder.
Then there’s the glamorous Hungarian countess Eléna Andrenyi (Lily Capote), who seems too good to be true – but is she a murderer? Lovely English governess Mary Debenham (Iyanna Lynell Skinner) appears quite anxious – what terrible secret makes her seem so sad? Colonel Arbuthnot (Janik Trent Buranosky) of Scotland is hopelessly in love with Mary – but would he K*ll for her?
Russian princess Natalya Dragomiroff (Danuta Jacob) certainly wouldn’t need to K*ll for money – but might she have another motive? Her companion, Swedish nurse and missionary Greta Ohlsson (Izzy Rose), seems both odd and frightened – could she be harboring a deadly secret?
Obnoxious and outspoken, American widow Helen Hubbard (Laura Bradford) seems more likely to be murdered than to murder, but no doubt she’s not to be trusted. Fellow American Hector MacQueen (Brian Creary) is a personal secretary and translator, but his nervous, strained manner suggests he knows more than he’s willing to translate.
Poirot’s old friend Monsieur Bouc (Mario Villella) is on the train as well, but not even this good-humored Belgian gentleman can be said to be above suspicion. And of course, there’s always the head waiter (Joel Brahim), because one never rules out the possibility that The Butler Did It.
Over two terrifying days, Poirot investigates the eight suspects for this shocking crime, following the tracks of blackmail and revenge to the tragedy of a murdered child. Certain that the crime was committed by someone on the train, the detective patiently works his way toward a solution that goes off the rails.
This chilling classic by Agatha Christie has been faithfully adapted for the stage by Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo, Baskerville). Lurid and luxurious, this familiar tale is set in the icy glamour of a sumptuous Art Deco world. All aboard for this timeless murder mystery!
Director is Ray Ficca. Scenic and projections designer is Mihai Ciupe. Costume designer is Amanda Jones. Lighting designer is Juniper Stuart. Sound designer is Alexa Hall. Props designer is Courtney Curtis. Dialect coach is Kiara Feliciano. Stage manager is Ginny Riley.
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS is live on stage from March 20 – April 6 at Ocala Civic Theatre. There will be 15 performances: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $35 for adults and $17 for ages 18 and younger. This show is rated PG. Tickets are on sale now at ocalacivictheatre.com. You also can purchase tickets through the OCT box office in person or over the phone at (352) 236-2274, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
4337 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL, United States, Florida 34470, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470-5001, United States,Ocala, Florida, Silver Springs
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