Running Time

2 hrs 15 min

Sponsored By

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express

Climb aboard the luxurious train, The Orient Express, for a thrilling mystery like no other! When a snowdrift stops the train in its tracks, a wealthy American is found murdered in his compartment, stabbed eight times. With a train full of suspects, each with their own secrets and motives, it’s up to the world’s greatest detective, Hercule Poirot, to solve the case before the murderer strikes again. Based on the classic Agatha Christie novel, Murder on the Orient Express is a thrilling ride full of glamour, intrigue, and suspense that will entertain and enthrall mystery lovers and theatergoers alike.

By Agatha Christie
Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Ron Ziegler will lead the production of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS as Guest Director. Ron retired from his position as Festivals Coordinator for the American Association of Community Theatre after a 40+ year theatre career. He recently moved north again after living for a decade in North Port, FL. Following the receipt of his Master’s degree from the University of South Dakota, he served on staff at Waukesha (WI) Civic Theatre, Sioux Falls (SD) Community Playhouse, Orlando (FL) Repertory Theatre and the Des Moines (IA) Playhouse as Associate Director, where he was the first Artistic/Managing Director for the Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre. While in Des Moines, he founded and managed the Iowa Fringe Festival. He is a past Member-at-Large, Treasurer, and President of the American Association of Community Theatre, was named an AACT Fellow, and joined the AACT Staff as Field Services Director in 2009. Ron has adjudicated state, regional, and national theatre festivals across the US and abroad, and has directed for theatres in Iowa, South Dakota, Kentucky, Florida, Wisconsin, and Germany. He and his spouse, Kathy Pingel, were awarded the 2015-16 Cloris Leachman Award for Outstanding Direction for their co-direction of the Des Moines Young Artists Theatre’s production of THE HOBBIT, and co-directed PETER AND THE STARCATCHER and GIRLS’ WEEKEND for Ansbach Terrace Playhouse in Germany. Ron’s Venice (FL) Theatre production of David Harrower’s BLACKBIRD appeared at AACTWorldFest in June 2022. In 2023, he was awarded the Art Cole Lifetime of Leadership award from the American Association of Community Theatre.

Audition Dates

July 28-29

Box Office Information

Main Stage Play | Season Ticket Production
Flex Ticket Reservations begin Aug 5
Tickets on sale Aug 19

Special Events

Build Day | Aug 23
Discovery Night | Sept 2 at 6 pm
Talk Back | Sept 19 (immediately following the performance)

Production Team

Guest Director | Ron Ziegler
Stage Manager | Quinton Metcalf
Scenic Designer | Seth Campbell
Costume Designer | Valerie Hernandez
Lighting Designer | Wesley Cone
Accent Coach | Erik “RED” Larsen