MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

About the Show:

Time Period: 1934

Act 1: Mid-Day through Morning

Act 2: Morning through Mid-Day

From the playwright who brought us Baskerville comes another murderously fun ride! One of Agatha Christie’s greatest novels springs to life in this thrilling new stage adaptation. Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. By morning, an American tycoon lies dead in his compartment, stabbed eight times and with his door locked from the inside. Was it the Colonel, the Countess, the American Traveler or the Russian Princess? Or perhaps it was the English Beauty, the American Assistant, the French Conductor or the Swedish Missionary. The eccentric collection of passengers become suspects and the world-famous detective Hercule Poirot must identify the murderer before he or she decides to strike again! 

This production will be directed by Jeff Seneca. For questions or more information, please contact Jeff Seneca at (757) 513-1458 or email [email protected]

 

Auditions

Monday, March 6th and Tuesday, March 7th 7-10

Those who audition should arrive by 6:45 but may not need to stay until 10. You should only attend one night of auditions. There will be callbacks on Wednesday, March 8th from 7-10 if needed. Auditions will be held at:
Zeiders American Dream Theatre
4509 Commerce St, Virginia Beach VA 23462

*We recommend parking in the Blue Town Center Garage

 

Rehearsal Information

March 11th - May 11th Rehearsals are generally held Monday through Thursday evenings from 7-10, and Saturdays from 10-2.

Participating in a Little Theatre of Virginia Beach show is a serious commitment and rehearsal attendance is very important. However, we understand that you are volunteering your time and we will do out best to accommodate your schedule. Please make sure to list all known conflicts on your audition form. If cast in the show, please notify the stage manager if anything should arise.

Tech Week: May 6th- May 11th

Tech week is the final week of the rehearsal process where all of the technical elements of the show are put in place. No actor may miss a rehearsal during tech week.

 

Performance Dates

May 12th, 2023 - June 4, 2023. 

Shows are held Friday and Saturday Evenings at 8pm and Sundays at 2:30. Our extra matinees will be held at 2:30 on the final two saturdays. 

Understudies

Due to the prevalence of COVID within the theatre community, we are looking to cast understudies for all roles within the show. This does not necessarily guarantee time onstage. 

Remember!

Casting is subjective and completely based on someone else’s opinion. Sometimes casting decisions are based on age, looks, height, or how you look next to other cast members. You will not get cast in every role you want and sometimes you won’t get cast at all. If you are not cast in this show, you should still celebrate the fact that you gave it your best shot. If this is not the right show for you, we hope to see you at the next audition. Auditions for our Summer Musical, Escape to Margaritaville will be held May 15-17. 

Cast

Men: 5 (Without Doubling 6)

Women: 5 (Without Doubling 6)

Hercule Poirot (Belgian, 40’s - 60’s) World famous detective, meticulous, witty, oddly charismatic in his own way, slightly pompous, passionately driven to find the answers, strong moral compass, very aware of his ability and his well-deserved reputation.

Monsieur Bouc (Belgian, 30’s - 50’s) Director of Wagon-Lit, the train company that owns the Orient Express, a good humored man, playful, generous, proud, an excellent host with a love of luxury and grandeur.

Mary Debenham (British, 20’s - 40’s) A governess, capable yet romantic, anxious about her journey on the Orient Express, there is a sadness around her eyes, clearly has a secret and an unknown relationship to Colonel Arbuthnot.

Hector MacQueen (American, 20’s - 50’s) Secretary and assistant to Samuel Ratchett, tightly wound, edgy and nervous, always seems to be on the verge of falling apart.

Michel the Conductor (French, 30’s - 50’s) Polite, hard-working, happy to have a good position on the Orient Express, eager to please.

Princess Dragomiroff (Russian, 40’s - 70’s) Royalty, a sweeping, impressive presence, intimidating, impatient, everyone knows when she enters the room.

Greta Ohlsson (Swedish, 20’s - 40’s) Missionary, inherently odd, very strict and religiously devout, plain with a sheepish, almost frightened quality, Princess Dragomiroff is paying her way in exchange for helping her on her journey.

Countess Andrenyi (Hungarian, 20’s - 40’s) Beautifully and exquisitely dressed, like something out of a fairy tale, with a warmth that wins over everyone she meets, intelligent.

Helen Hubbard (American, 40’s - 70’s) Eccentric, bold and outspoken with a touch of flamboyance, from the American midwest, jovial, deliciously nosy and brash, often flirtatious, she can talk to anyone, even if they don’t want to listen.

Colonel Arbuthnot (Scottish, 20’s - 40’s) Handsome, very matter of fact, clearly has a secret and an unknown connection to Mary Debenham, he enjoys the sense of adventure that the Orient Express provides, takes charge when he needs to.

Samuel Ratchett (American, 40’s - 60’s) American businessman with a gangster’s edge, evil at heart and frightening, unforgiving, stern demeanor, pushy, domineering. (Can be doubled with Colonel Arbuthnot)

Head Waiter (Turkish, 20’s - 50’s) Snooty and smooth, a (phony) name dropper. (Can be doubled with Michel)