‘Murder on the Orient Express’ opens at The Sauk
JONESVILLE — Agatha Christie always had a fascination with the Orient Express.
“She first rode the famous train in 1928 and that began a lifelong fascination,” said Trinity Bird, executive director of The Sauk, Hillsdale County’s community theatre. “Later, when she rode the train again in 1931, a flood washed away sections of track and halted her journey. This inspiration plus the real-life kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh’s son in 1932 seem to have led to the story that exists today.”
“Murder on the Orient Express” was first published in 1934 and has seen many radio, television and film adaptations since. The Sauk will present a new stage adaptation by Broadway favorite Ken Ludwig this weekend and next at the theater in Jonesville.
“In the play, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks,” Bird said. “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.
The Sauk cast consists of Nate Nelson as Poirot, Mike Sutton as Monsieur Bouc, Gianna Green as Mary Debenham, Jacob Weldon as Hector MacQueen, Aaron Guest as Michel, Jennifer Mackie as Princess Dragomiroff, Grace Hambleton as Greta Ohlsson, Jessi Snyder as Countess Andrenyi, Meghan Barnes as Helen Hubbard, Josh Lightner as Colonel Arbuthnot, Steven Owsley as Samuel Ratchett and Kenny Hong as the Head Waiter.
Bruce Crews directs the production that features stage management by Chloe Callender. The design team consists of Bird (lighting), Tim Ambrose (sound) and Cyndi Baldermann (properties). The set was rented from Elkhart Civic Theatre and has been expanded by Ron Boyle and Diane Langan. Josh and Tracy McCullough worked on the lighting crew. Costumes are rented from Broadway Costumes in Chicago.
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Performances are at 8 p.m. May 11-13 and May 18-20 with 3 p.m. matinees on May 14 and 21. All performances are at the Sauk Theatre, 240 E. Chicago St. in Jonesville. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors (age 55 and up) and students (with ID) and $10 for children (12 and up). Tickets can be purchased at www.thesauk.org or by calling 517-849-9100. The May 11 performance is a Pay What You Can preview. Preview tickets are not sold in advance. The May 18 performance is $5 senior night. A dessert reception will be held at the Jonesville District Library following the May 14 performance.
This production is sponsored by Olivia’s Chop House and Saucy Dog Barbecue. The 2023 season is sponsored by Joyous Journey Photography. The 2023 media sponsor is WCSR Radio Hillsdale and 99-5 The Dale. The Sauk receives support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ opens at The Sauk
