'Murder on Orient Express' opens Oct. 3
PUTNAM — Autumn is upon us, a chilly, darker time of year that brings us pumpkin spice everything and perhaps a little mystery in the air. It also brings the traditional murder mystery to the Theatre of Northeastern Connecticut at the Bradley Playhouse, which is presenting Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.
This must-be- seen production opens on Oct. 3 and runs for three weekends.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 5, 12, 19.
Tickets are $260 for adults; $23 for seniors, students, veterans and first responders (including fees).
Reservations may be made with a major credit card online at www.thebradleyplayhouse.org or by calling 860-928-7887. Tickets may be purchased at the theater box office, either before the performance, or at the door if available. Purchasing your tickets ahead of time is always a good idea.
The TNECT production of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is co-directed by Kathleen Atwood and Scott A. Guerin.
Preston Arnold appears as super sleuth Hercule Poirot who is assisted by Monsieur Bouc, a train company director, played by Jim Douglas, and Michel the conductor, played by Nick Hemeon. The murder victim, Samuel Ratchett, is portrayed by Mark Smolak. The passengers, who are all suspects, include LaDelle P. Arnold (Helen Hubbard), Jack Ferdman (Colonel Arbuthnot), Drew Goins (Hector MacQueen), Sheila Harrington-Hughes (Princess Dragomiroff), Julianne McGourty (Countess Andrenyi), Amy Stoelzel (Greta Ohlsson), and Rachel Terceira (Mary Debenham).
Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks.
The luxurious train is surprisingly full for the time of the year, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. An American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times, his door locked from the inside. Isolated and with a killer in their midst, the passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer – in case he or she decides to strike again.
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is based on her 1934 novel which was adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig. The play premiered in 2017.
It is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
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captions, from top:
Preston Arnold (Hercule Poirot)
Julianne McGourty (Countess Andrenyi) and Mark Smolak (Samuel Ratchett)
Amy Stoelzel (Greta Ohlsson) Photos by Lindsay Lehmann