Leaving the show, all I heard were gushes of adoration coming from the crowd for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, the newest production of the Little Theatre of Alexandria with its huge cast who all deliver marvelous performances on a knockout set! (By Matt Liptak)
My head did spin a few times ogling the elegantly designed 1930s parlor/lounge car which swings to compartments and hallways and who went where?
We go chug, chug, chugging along, just like we're on the train, too.
Indeed, after experiencing Ken and Patti Crowley's big train headlamp shining in our eyes, coming right at us (with sound by Janice Rivera) against a black backdrop surrounded by long drapes, I was on the Polar Express
Get out of the way!
The show is an adaptation by notable playwright Ken Ludwig who makes this train ride one heckuva really big show, loaded with tricks and detours to keep the audience guessing. Mr. Ludwig has infused the production with a goodly amount of humor to stir the interactions and make it more fun.
Murder is near the top of Agatha Christie’s most loved mysteries, made into films, television productions, radio, a graphic novel, and games. She keeps the audience (and readers) guessing.
"Whodunnit"?
The time is 1934 and the train has left Istanbul bound for the west, until it can't, when it gets stuck in snow.
The year was about six years after Ms. Christie was actually on a train which stalled for six days in Turkey, and it, like the one here, was filled with unusual characters whom the writer used to mold into her fictional characters.
Right off the bat (none of these onboard, as far as we know) the bad guy enters, a Mr. RATchett (Paul Caffrey) who is shortly snuffed out, and most of the passengers seem to have a motive to do him in.
A rat may be dead, but fear not, since
the herculean Detective Hercule Poirot (Michael Kharfen) is onboard and at your service, please, delightful with a twitching mustache, who sets off to find whodunnit (with a little help from his friends) before the killer strikes again!
Brian Lyons-Burke is Monsieur Bouc, the stuffy train line president a la grumpy Santa.
Eleanore Tapscott is the eccentric (they all are) and outgoing Helen Hubbard who talks and sings loudly, to the aggravation of all.
Avery Lance is Hector MacQueen, Mr, RATchett's secretary while Patricia Nicklin is the arrogant and "titled" Princess Dragomirof of Russia who has a bone to pick. Her servant girl, Greta (Julia Rudgers) follows nicely along.
Then there's the beautiful countess from Hungary (Brianna Goode, also the fight captain), Paul Donahoe who has a good time as conductor, Colonel Arbuthnot (John Paul Odle), and Mary Debenham from England (Danielle Comer).
Aren't these the sort you meet on your train ride?
Costumers Jean Schlichting and Kit Sibley have fitted the players in classy apparel. After all, who but the well-off could afford a train ride like this in 1934?
Hats off to Larissa Norris, the wig designer, who had more than enough heads to fit!
Other production crew are Stefan Sittig, director, who has triple responsibilities as the fight choreographer and voiceovers, the latter duties he shares with Samantha Regan.
Luana Bossolo and Kadira Coley are the producers; Alden Michels, dialect coach; Jennifer Hardin and Caitlin O'Leary, stage managers; Julia Lisowski, properties design; Art Snow, special effects
Comedrama or dramacomedy? It's also known as a portmanteau dramedy.
All aboard!
Where: Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA 22314
Tickets: $21 - $24
Audience: General
Duration: About 2 hours with one 15 minute intermission
Public transportation: Check the Metro and Dash bus websites. Dash is free to ride and has routes which are close to LTA.
Parking: is free on streets and at Capital One Bank at Wilkes and Washington streets, a block away. Paid parking is available at nearby garages.
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