Riverland Theatre invites you to step onboard the luxurious Orient Express Feb. 25 through March 1 as a cold wind blows and snow falls from the sky. The unrelenting snowflakes stick to the tracks; a snowdrift stops the opulent train in its tracks. 

A victim lies dead in a compartment, locked from the inside. 

The passengers rely on detective Hercule Poirot to identify the murderer. Ken Ludwig's clever adaptation of Dame Agatha Christie’s classic boasts all the glamour, intrigue, and suspense, with a healthy dose of humor. Appropriate for audiences 13 or older.

The production is directed by Susan V. Hansen. Scenic, lighting, projection and sound design are by John Deyo. The costumes are designed by Janelle Howard. Kayla Byram serves as Stage Manager, with Kalli Potter as Assistant Stage Manager and Props Coordinator. Avery Dunn is the Light Board Operator, Ashton Brooks is the Sound Board Operator, and Sound Effects and Projections are designed by Emma Brekke. Meagan Morrow serves as Intimacy Coordinator.

Murder on the Orient Express features Antonio Morales as the meticulous detective Hercule Poirot and Ghislain Yamongbe as the Announcer. The passengers aboard the famed train include Molly Robins as Mary Debenham, Isaac Volbrecht as Colonel James Arbuthnot, Moyra Voigt as Helen Hubbard, Yo Na as Hector McQueen, Ashlyn Strampe as Officer/Passenger/Radio, James Zschunke as Pierre Michel, Ciel Rogers as Passenger, Olivia Mix as Princess Natalya Dragomiroff, Maddie Russel as Greta Ohlsson, Luke Reese as Samuel Ratchett, Madyson Hennager as Passenger, and Caralee Koopal as Countess Elena Andrenyi.

Jenny Dryer appears as Mother/Restaurant Patron, and Renae Clark plays Daisy/Restaurant Patron. Tony Palesotti takes on the dual roles of Father and Monsieur Constantine Bouc, while Tehya Orr performs as Nanny/Restaurant Patron. Maggie Bremner portrays the Head Waiter.

“Agatha Christie fans may notice some changes from the book as well as the film versions of this story. This is the only stage adaptation, and playwright Ken Ludwig is known for his comedies. Any murder mystery could use a bit of comedy.” said Hansen. “This is the kind of play you want to see twice to pick up on all the clues the second time round, once you know the end.”

Murder on the Orient Express will be performed February 25-28 at 7: p.m. and March 1 at 2 p.m. in the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on Riverland’s Austin Campus. Individual tickets to Murder on the Orient Express are $15 in advance, $17 at the door. Tickets are currently on sale at www.riverland.edu/tickets 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The online ticketing system allows customers to pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. The on-campus box office will be open for in-person sales in the theatre lobby one hour prior to each performance. Riverland students receive two free tickets with a valid student ID. Contact the box office at 507-433-0595 or by emailing boxoffice@riverland.edu.  

Riverland Theatre strives to provide quality productions that are entertaining and challenging to both the audience and the artists.  Because we reach such a diverse audience, some audience members may find some subject matter, language, or situations objectionable. If you have concerns about a specific production, we encourage you to become familiar with the material before attending the performance.

Riverland’s Theatre Department is a high-energy performance-oriented program. Plays produced vary from classical tragedy to modern comedy and from full-scale large cast musicals in intimate small cast plays. Students are encouraged to get involved in all areas of theatre production including, but not limited to, acting, stage managing, set building and painting. Strong academic offerings provide challenges in and out of the classroom.