AUDITION INFORMATION
We will offer combined audition dates for both of our 2022-2023 season plays on
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig
Except where historical significance, age, gender or racial specificity are required by the narrative, all actors will be considered for open roles regardless of gender identity, age or race. While casting decisions are subjective and driven by the vision of the director and the creative team, Civic Theatre is committed to a diverse and inclusive cast, crew and staff whenever possible. However, we are often contractually constrained from making substantive changes to characters. While we may actively seek a diverse cast, actors should be prepared to execute portrayals in accordance with the script.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENT
At this time, only individuals who are FULLY VACCINATED are eligible to audition for this production.
If you are eligible to receive a COVID Booster, you will be required to get boosted prior to the beginning of rehearsal.
Audition Dates
Auditions : November 14 & 15, 2022 @ 7pm
Please fill out the audition form completely including conflicts (required), headshot & resumé (not required). You will have the opportunity to select your audition date. 24 hours before your selected date you will be provided with a specific time. Video auditions will be accepted. In general, we cannot arrange for individual times outside of the scheduled auditions. Should we deem it necessary, we MAY schedule alternate dates at a later time.
Callbacks TBD
Details
Director: John Michael Goodson
Production Dates
Rehearsals – January 23 – March 9, 2023
Performances – March 10 – 25, 2023
In general, rehearsals will be held Sunday 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm and Monday through Thursday 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm. All actors are not called for all rehearsals. Actual schedule will be determined once the show is cast.
Public performances are Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM.
What To Prepare:
- You will be asked to read sides from the play for this audition. Please fill out the audition form and audition sides will be sent to you, no later than November 7th.
SHOW SYNOPSIS
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 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.
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
HERCULE POIROT
A retired Belgian police officer. Poirot is Christie's most famous detective and is known for his short stature and long, curly moustache. Poirot is very intelligent, extremely aware and instinctual and is a brilliant detective.
MONSIEUR BOUC
The director of the Compagnie Wagon Lits and formerly worked for the Belgian police force with Poirot. Traveling on the Orient Express, M. Bouc asks Poirot to take the case. M. Bouc provides comic relief in the novel, constantly frustrated with the case and confused by Poirot.
MARY DEBENHAM
Daisy Armstrong's governess. Mary Debenham is a calm, cool and unruffled lady, instrumental in the planning of Ratchett's murder. Poirot is most suspicious of Mary because of conversation he overhears between herself and Colonel Arbuthnot on the train to Stamboul.
HECTOR MACQUEEN
Ratchett's personal secretary. Hector is truly in cahoots with the Armstrong family. McQueen tries to hard to tell Poirot that Ratchett did not speak any French—making him an immediate suspect in the case.
MICHEL THE CONDUCTOR
A good-looking Frenchman, about forty, Michel has a quiet, almost grave sense of humor. He’s seen a lot in his years on the Orient Express, and he knows his way around the train, making him particularly well positioned to get away with murder.
PRINCESS DRAGOMIROFF
A Russian princess. Princess Dragomiroff is a generally despicable, ugly old lady; her yellow, toad-like face puts off Poirot. She is the owner of the famous "H" handkerchief found in Ratchett's room and tells Poirot many lies about the other passengers' identities.
GRETA OHLSSON
Plain and modest, Greta has a frightened, sheep-like quality about her. There is something odd about this woman. Could she be harboring a deadly secret?
COUNTESS ANDRENYI
The sister of Sonia Armstrong, did not murder Ratchett. Because the Countess is closest to the Armstrong case, she attempts to conceal her identity by dropping grease on her passport and smudging the name label on her luggage. The Countess is quite young, dark-haired and beautiful.
HELEN HUBBARD
Really Linda Arden, famous actress and grandmother of Daisy Armstrong. Mrs. Hubbard provides constant interruption and diversion on the train and is known for her stories about her daughter. Mrs. Hubbard's compartment is next to Ratchett's.
COLONEL ARBUTHNOT
A friend of Colonel Armstrong, and father of Daisy Armstrong. Like Mary Debenham, Poirot suspects him because he called Mary by her first name on the train to Stamboul. Colonel Arbuthnot is hard-willed, polite and very "English."
SAMUEL RATCHETT
Real name Cassetti, kidnapped and murdered the young Daisy Armstrong for money. The Armstrong family murders Ratchett because he escaped punishment in the U.S. Poirot describes Ratchett as a wild animal.
(doubles with Colonel Arbuthnot)
HEAD WAITER
(doubles with Michel the Conductor)
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