Murder On The Orient Express

Aiken Community Theatre presents

126 Newberry Street SW 803-648-1438 www.AikenCommunityTheatre.org

ACT Mission Aiken Community Theatre (ACT) is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to entertain, educate, and enrich our community by providing a quality theatre experience.

ACT Board Executive Director – Kyle Seconi Artistic Director – JC Crider Facilities Director – Tyler McKinney Secretary – Chrissey Miller Treasurer – Jimmy Moore Marketing Director – Jeff Mastromonico Youth Wing Interim Director – Steven McKinney

Thurmond Whatley Marcia Harris Gail Daigle Wendy Dietzel Jim Schroeder Ellen Williams Angie Galan Collette Miller Ginny Boice Cory Herbst Dustin Turner Beth Williams

presents

MURDER on the ORIENT EXPRESS Written by Agatha Christie Adapted by Ken Ludwig Performed by special arrangement with Samuel

French, Inc. Directed by James Raby

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A note from ACt’s Executive Director I cannot express my happiness to our volunteers and audience members in this grand return to the theatre after such a long hiatus. I am grateful you have made theatre a part of your “new normal”. We send our deepest condolences to those that have been affected by COVID-19 and dedicate this theatrical experience to the physical and mental healing of our Aiken community. As they say, laughter is the best medicine! I wish you some comedic relief during this performance and health and safety in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

Kyle A. Seconi COMING SOON to ACT December 3 – 11, 2021 Check www.aikencommunitytheatre.org for upcoming audition dates.

The classic animated television special A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation as the Peanuts gang discovers the true meaning of Christmas.

By Charles M. Schultz, based on the television special by Bill Melendez and Lee Mendelson/Stage adaptation by Eric Schaeffer/By Special Arrangement with Arthur Whitelaw and Ruby Persson.

Murder on the orient express DireCtor’s note Murder on the Orient Express features one of best- selling novelist Dame Agatha Christie’s most famous characters, Detective Hercule Poirot, who is featured in thirty-seven of her novels. Poirot is the only fictional character to have an obituary published in The New York Times as well as to appear on the front page of the paper on August 6, 1975.

Comedic playwright Ken Ludwig has deftly combined some characters and exposes their peccadilloes to great comedic effect.

But he also pays homage to Christie’s formula. First, a murder is committed. Second, there are multiple suspects with concealed secrets. Third, gradually the secrets are discovered by the detective. Fourth, gathering all the suspects in one room, the detective uses deductive reasoning to identify the guilty party.

Amid the laughs, the audience is left with some serious questions to ponder. Is committing a crime ever justified? How does one differentiate facts from evidence? Are all facts evidence? Was the murder in this play an act of absolute justice or was it an act of private vengeance? Is it ever acceptable to act without the truth?

James Raby

The Story

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 a dozen 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.

There will be a 15-minute intermission between acts.

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The CAST Hercule Poirot………………………………………Garrett Maroney Monsieur Bouc…………………………………………….David Skeen Mary Debenham………………………..Audrey Faith Robertson Hector McQueen……………………………………………Mo Pruiett Michel, The Conductor……………………….Marshall Mahoney Princess Dragomiroff…………………………….Sophie Plowright Gretta Ohlsson…………………………………………….Beth Ansede Countess Andrenyi………………………………..Meredith Boylan Helen Hubbard……………………………Betsy Wilson-Mahoney Col. Arbuthnot……………………………………….Brandon McVey Samuel Ratchett……………………………………….Ken Hendricks Chanteuse…………………………………………………Frances Fields Puskin………………………………………………………….Oliver Smith

The CREW Director…………………………………………………………James Raby Mentor Director…………………………………………..Bob Franklin Stage Manager…………………………………………..Dustin Turner Stagehands…………………….………Hal Lynch, Heather Harper Ernesto Barquet Sr. Carolyn McCoy Set Designer…………………………………………….Duane Berning Set Construction………….Duane Berning, James Schroeder Dudley Davis, Frank Fields, Cast & Crew Set Dressers…….Carolyn McCoy, Betsey Wilson-Mahoney Lighting Designer………………………………………….Cory Herbst Light Board Operator……………………………Emma Robertson Sound Designer……………………………………………David Skeen Sound Board Operator..……………………Lisa Owen Fountain Costumer…………………………………………………Wendy Dietzel Assistant Costumer…………………………………..Ellen Williams

SPECIAL THANKS Ahh Sunshine, LLC SPCA Thrift store AllStar Tents and Events Richert-Burke Photography Carla Igoe at The Hair of the Dog David and Joyce Culp Chris Martino Lesley Anne Klepac Bridget Krol Tyler McKinney

BIOS Audrey Faith Robertson (Mary Debenham) is 19 years old and is excited to take on her very first play. Although this is her first play, she has performed in many musicals. Her favorites include Gertrude McFuzz in Aiken Community Theatre’s Youth Wing production of Suessical, the role of Seitz in Augusta Players Newsies, and Elsa in Augusta Players Frozen. She has loved Murder on the Orient Express for many years and practically RAN to the auditions.

She feels so privileged to be back with her Aiken Community Theatre family after a year and a half! Audrey is honored to be a part of a production with so many wonderfully talented and kind people. Like her buddy David Skeen said, “No refunds!” .

Beth Ansede (Greta Ohlsson) is thrilled to be back on the stage in the midst of such a wonderfully talented cast and crew. Having appeared in numerous plays and musicals in the area, Beth's favorite past roles include Jean Louise Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, Maria in Twelfth Night and Alicia Sparrow in The Gentleman Clothier. Thank you all for joining us as we return to the unique joy of live performance.

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BIOS Betsy Wilson-Mahoney (Helen Hubbard). In her younger years, Betsy loved the opportunity to play roles with names like Wendy, Luisa, Magnolia, Maria, Nellie and Guinevere. In more recent years some favorite roles have included Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. Lovett, Miss Mona, Madame Tinerdeau and now Mrs. Hubbard. ... Is a pattern emerging?

Brandon McVey (Colonel Arbuthnot) is making his stage debut with the amazing cast, crew and director. He is originally from Aiken and has always been intrigued by the idea of performing in a play. After mustering up the courage to audition, he was selected for his first ever speaking role.

Prior to this performance, Brandon was an extra in Tyler Perry’s The Oval and Clint Eastwood’s The Mule. Brandon has enjoyed the opportunity to observe and learn from the professionals at the Aiken Community Theatre (ACT). He has enjoyed everything about working on this production, including stepping out of his comfort zone and wearing a kilt. The motivation, support, words of encouragement and amazing friendships formed during this production have ensured that Brandon will be pursuing additional roles in the future.

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Dave Skeen (Constantine Bouc): When last year’s pandemic left ACT with insufficient funds to hire appropriate security, Mr. Skeen was able to sneak into auditions. We are not sure what went wrong after that. ACT regulars no doubt still have nightmares over his performances in The Foursome, Moonlight & Magnolias, Copenhagen, Out of Order, Here on the Flightpath, and a host of (otherwise perfectly fine) productions, too numerous (and painful) to list. On an unrelated note: ACT would like to remind patrons of our strict “no refunds” policy.

Franny Farrar Fields (Chanteuse) is a native of Columbia. She is a Coastal Carolina alum and attended San Francisco’s Clown Conservatory. You may have seen her in previous roles such as Paulette in Legally Blonde, Annie Cannon in Silent Sky or Rosemary in Outside Mullingar, along with various musicals. Frances is thrilled to back at ACT with this wonderful cast and crew. .

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BIOS Garrett Maroney (Hercule Poirot) has performed in many shows here in the Aiken area with ACT and Paladin Productions. Poirot is just one of the challenging roles he has taken on recently. In his professional life, he is the new French teacher at Midland Valley High School.

Both roles have put his “little grey cells” to the test, eh. He has been teaching in Aiken County for 13 years now. He is a huge fan of David Suchet who played the role of Poirot in the ITV series. If you, too, are a fan, you will most certainly see the similarities in the two incarnations of the word famous Belgian sleuth. To all his cast mates and crew, a huge MERCI BEAUCOUP, MES AMIS for their love, support and extraordinary talents on and off stage.

Ken Hendricks (Samuel Ratchett) has been part of the ACT family for over 16 years. He last appeared as Slim in Of Mice and Men. His previous works include Lorenzo in Merchant of Venice and Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird. Ken lives in Aiken with his amazing wife. .

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Marshall Mahoney (Michel) is thrilled to be a part of one of the most wonderful cast and crews he has ever worked with at ACT. You may have seen him most recently as Captain Phoebus in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Jasper in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. He would like to thank his amazing wife, Chelsea, for having the fortitude to withstand his attempts at a French accent, and of course for her support. All aboard!

BIOS Meredith Boylan (The Countess Andrenyi) is thrilled to be back on stage at ACT as part of such a wonderful cast.

Recent roles have included Katya in Gibson and Sons and Vivienne in Legally Blonde. She also played Penny in Le Chat Noir Theatre's production of Lost Girls.

She would like to thank Patrick and Finnegan for moral support, and Zsa Zsa Gabor for inspiration on the Hungarian accent. Élvezze az eloadást!

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Mo Pruiett (Hector MacQueen) is, despite countless assumptions to the contrary, 24 years old. When he isn't acting, he busies himself by avoiding using his BA in History at all costs. Mo has been skittering around ACT since he was 15, but his favorite parts thus far (other than this one, which tops the list) have been Peter Pan in Peter Pan, Lefou in Beauty and the Beast, Lancelot Gobbo in Merchant of Venice and Louden Downey in A Few Good Men. He is thrilled to be working with such a professional, talented and ever-supportive cast and crew after such a long absence.

Oliver Smith (Pushkin) is making his stage debut as the award winning Russian Coaching Spaniel bred

by Princess Dragomiroff. He was rescued by renowned professional rider and Aiken resident Emily Smith and spends his days supervising at horse shows and taking long naps. He is looking forward to more productions and getting his SAG card.

Sophie Plowright (Princess Dragomiroff) is tickled pink to be back at ACT. Previous roles include Joanna Markham in Move Over Mrs. Markham, Salerio and Ernesto’s Mum in Merchant of Venice, Albertina Sawyer in Miracle on 34th Street and Dame Beatrice in Breath of Spring. Thank you to all at ACT and the cast and crew of this production—wow it so good to laugh again!

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BIOS James Raby (director) holds a B.F.A. and an M.A. in drama and communication.

As an actor, he has appeared in more than 50 productions. At ACT, he appeared in A Few Good Men (Capt. Whitaker) and Peter Pan (Hook/Mr. Darling), The Merchant of Venice (Antonio), Move Over Mrs. Markham (Alastair) and Gibson and Sons (Declan). Washington, DC, metro credits include Salieri in Amadeus, Oscar Hubbard in The Little Foxes, Ian in Shining City, Henry Higgins in Pygmalion. Texas credits include Henry in The Lion in Winter, Gooper in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Judge Danforth in The Crucible, Chulkaturin in Journey of the Fifth Horse, Peter Stockmann in An Enemy of the People and Captain Scott in Terra Nova. New Orleans credits include Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest, Musicals include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Miles Gloriosus), The Fantasticks (El Gallo), The King and I and Sweeney Todd (chorus).

James’ directing credits include Oedpus Rex, Vanities, Wings, and Vultures. He was the Assistant Director for Of Mice Men here at ACT.

Bob Franklin (Mentor Director) has been acting and directing at ACT since 2001. His role for this production was made easy because the director (James Raby) utilized his many talents to recruit in record time wonderful actors and technicians to put together a show (the first in ACT's 2021-22) that he is certain will delight audiences.

Dustin Turner (Stage Manager) is an experienced actor, stage manager and director at Aiken Community Theatre and has been seen several times on the stage in Edgefield. Some of his favorite roles include Ray Bud in Dearly Departed, Ben Hect in Moonlight & Magnolias and John Curtis in Christmas Belles, a role he will reprise in Edgefield this November. Directing credits include the drama Rabbit Hole, the thriller Blood Money, the medieval classic Canterbury Tales (an ACT Youth Wing production) and the holiday classic The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

Dustin has a B.S. in Journalism/Mass Communication and is the Web Team Project Manager for Alison South Marketing Group. He is married to his high school sweetheart (and much better half), Jamie, and they have a beautiful, talented, intelligent, artistic 14-year-old, Abigail.

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