Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express
Season: 2025-2026 Season
Author: Adapted by Ken Ludwig
Director: Ruth Miller Hasty
Genre: Murder Mystery
Location: Winder Cultural Arts Center
Synopsis:
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.
Ken Ludwig's clever adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic boasts all the glamour, intrigue and suspense of Dame Agatha's celebrated novel, with a healthy dose of humor to quicken the pace.
Show Dates
- February 20, 2026 7:30 pm
- February 21, 2026 7:30 pm
- February 22, 2026 3:00 pm
- February 27, 2026 7:30 pm
- February 28, 2026 7:30 pm
- March 1, 2026 3:00 pm
Audition Dates
- December 7, 2025 6:30 pm
- December 8, 2025 6:30 pm
Audition Details
Auditions will be held in the theater of the Winder Cultural Arts Center. Please bring a current photo and your calendar so you can list any schedule conflicts on your audition form. Rehearsals will normally be on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights each week.
Character Breakdown
5 Adult Males
5 Adult Females
Ages: 20’s – 70’s+
Hercule Poirot 40’s – 60’s
A retired Belgian police detective and Agatha Christie’s most well-known sleuth. He is intelligent and incredibly observant. Poirot is famous for his ability to figure out even the toughest of cases.
Monsieur Bouc 30’s – 60’s
A younger Belgian man who is an old friend of Poirot’s and director of the Orient Express’s train company. Bouc is good-natured and accommodating to his guests and friends.
Mary Denbenham 20’s – 30’s
A young English beauty who is unassuming and charming. In love with Colonel Arbuthnot.
Colonel Arbuthnot 30’s – 40’s (doubles as Samuel Rachett)
A Scottish military man, handsome, and straight forward. In love with Mary.
Samuel Ratchett (doubles as Colonel Arbuthnot)
A brusque, off-putting American businessman. A bully and sketchy character who thinks he can get anything he wants through money or intimidation.
Hector McQueen 20’s – 50’s
A nervous young American in the employ of Mr. Ratchett. Constantly on edge and stressed not only by his job, but something deeper.
Michel (not a misspell) the Conductor 20’s – 50’s (doubles as the head waiter)
A Frenchman who works for the Orient Express, making sure the needs of all of the passengers are met.
Princess Dragomiroff 40’s – 70’s
A Russian pre-revolution royal with all the airs and trappings that entails. She is older, entitled, and is no one’s fool.
Greta Ohlsson 20’s – 60’s
Princess Dragomiroff’s companion and servant. A Swedish missionary earning her way by assisting the Princess.
Countess Andrenyi 30’s – 50’s
A young Hungarian aristocrat, lovely and charming, who disarms everyone she meets.
Helen Hubbard 40’s – 70’s
A Midwestern widow with a personality as big as the Mississippi.
Roles
- Beth Spinella as Assistant Director
Community Service Recipient
CASA
