The McNary High School theatre is presenting the classic mystery “Murder on the Orient Express” on stage this month.
The show, a thriller adapted from Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel, opened Wednesday, Oct. 22, and continues with 7 p.m. shows through Saturday, Oct. 25, plus a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased in person or online at mcnarytheatre.ludus.com.
“It’s a truly ensemble cast,” said drama teacher Tom Cavanaugh, who has directed about 40 plays during his nine years at McNary. “There’s 16 cast members, and it’s a very shared show. I think we have eight or nine different accents happening on the stage.”
The cast has had 17 rehearsals, starting on the first day of school. The design team is building two railroad cars and a café set for the show, using plywood and real furniture.
Dillan Issacson will play the lead role, the Belgian detective named Hercule Poirot.
“He came in with as close to a Belgian accent as we had,” said Cavanaugh of Issacson. “He made some really bold choices, and I just thought he was a good fit.”
The story follows Poirot as he investigates the case of a murdered businessman aboard the train. To solve the crime, the detective must interview and interact with eclectic characters, such as colonels and a Russian princess.
Cavanaugh said that this play is his first murder mystery show, and he is excited to see how the audience reacts to the plot twist at the end.
“I think it’s a good mix of humor, with some suspense, with some bright, colorful characters, and, I think, a real shocking ending,” he said.
Murder on the Orient Express
McNary Cast
- Dillan Isaacson, Detective Hercule Poirot
- Ollie Munk, Monsieur Bouc
- Hallie Wofford, Mary Debenham
- Zach Tremayne, Colonel Arbuthnot
- Ezra Muhommed, Samuel Ratchett
- Elliot Kester, Hector McQueen
- Ell Clubb, Michel
- William Bulpett, Head Waiter
- Annie Shore, Princess Dragomiroff
- Myleigh McCubbins, Greta Ohlsson
- Maia Martinez, Countess Andrenyi
- Grace Cobos, Helen Hubbard
- Sydney Collins, Announcer/Radio
- Kaydence Murray, Little Girl
- Paige Wofford, Mother
- Momo Mattson, Father
Set Designers
- Evie Cochran and Megan Curran, Stage Management
- Bob Robison’s, Tech and Construction Class, Set Design and Construction
- Gwen Gage and Gray Zamarripa, Costume Design
- Elliot Butler and Georgia LaRoche, Sound Board Operators
- Emma Enriquez Kendall, Light Board Operator,
- Emma Kirkbride, Spotlight Operator
- Lex Dela Cruz, Run Crew
News tip? Contact reporter Riley Ellis: [email protected]
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