Jeff Tryka as Hercule Poirot, left, presents the murder weapon to the passengers in Elkhart Civic Theatre’s production of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” adapted by Ken Ludwig. In the front from left are Brian Kozlowski as Ratchett, on couch; Leah Tipton as Mary Debenham, seated on floor; Annette Kaczanowski as Countess Andrenyi, kneeling; and Dan Cotton as Col. Arbuthnot. In the back row are Elise Davis as Princess Dragomiroff; Susan South as Mrs. Helen Hubbard; Collin Szymanski as Head Waiter; Keith Sarber as Monsieur Bouc; Patrick Farran as Hector MacQueen; Demarée Dufour-Noneman as Greta Ohlsson; and Carl Wiesinger as Michel. Photos provided by Elkhart Civic Theater.

News Release

BRISTOL — Elkhart Civic Theatre brings Ken Ludwig’s adaption of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” to the Bristol Opera House stage for two weekends, Feb. 24–26 and March 3–5. The show is directed by John Shoup, assisted by Rick Fields.

Adapted for the stage at the request of the Agatha Christie estate, Ken Ludwig’s version of “Murder on the Orient Express” is a fast-paced ride with a train full of remarkable suspects and an alibi for each one. It’s the perfect mystery for detective Hercule Poirot.

The cast includes:

• Hercule Poirot – Jeff Tryka
• Monsieur Bouc – Keith Sarber
• Michel – Carl Wiesinger
• Mrs. Helen Hubbard – Susan South
• Hector MacQueen – Patrick Farran
• Mary Debenham – Leah Tipton
• Col. Arbuthnot – Dan Cotton
• Ratchett/Casetti – Brian Kozlowski
• Greta Ohlsson – Demarée Dufour-Noneman
• Princess Dragomiroff – Elise Davis
• Countess Andrenyi – Annette Kaczanowski
• Head Waiter – Collin Szymanski

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 was 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.

For tickets to Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express,” visit www.elkhartcivictheatre.org or call the box office at (574) 848-4116 from 1–5:30 p.m. weekdays. Online sales close two hours before performances begin, and walk-in sales are only available one hour prior to performance times.