By LOIS KINDLE
lekindle@aol.com
A raging snowstorm has stopped the Orient Express in its tracks, leaving the famous luxury train stranded on a quiet winter night. Inside, tension rises when a wealthy passenger is discovered murdered.
Everyone on the train is now a suspect, and each one is guarding personal secrets, as famed detective Hercule Poirot begins a deliberate search for the truth.
Moving from compartment to compartment, he tests alibis and uncovers lies.
he killer is trapped on the train, and Poirot must solve the crime before the journey can continue.
MacBeth & Cheese Community Theater invites you to climb aboard and join him in solving this legendary whodunit in its upcoming presentations of Ken Ludwig’s stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.
Known for crisp pacing and audience friendly storytelling, his version keeps the mystery’s classic twists while giving each character a sharper presence on stage.
The mystery unfolds on the Firehouse Cultural Center Stage on Friday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. 101 1st Ave. NE, Ruskin, and will be followed by additional shows on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m.
“Bringing Murder on the Orient Express to the stage has been an absolute joy, said Amy Windle, the play’s director and MacBeth and Cheese co-founder. “It has everything you want in a great night of theater — a fantastic cast of characters, plenty of laughs, a little glamour — and of course, a murder to solve.
“We’ve had so much fun creating this world, and I can’t wait for our audiences to climb aboard and experience it with us,” she said.
If you’re an Agatha Christie fan, you don’t want to miss this. The story line is suitable for most audiences, including teens and avid readers.
“With the wonderful productions MacBeth and Cheese has presented in the past here, this production is sure to be top notch,” said Beth Stein, Firehouse Cultural Center operations director.
“Shows like these expand the offerings we can provide area residents right in their own backyards. Our ticketing is wallet-friendly and proceeds benefit us and MacBeth and Cheese, which are both nonprofits. Our portion benefits the Firehouse Cultural Center Scholarship Fund.”
Nonrefundable tickets are $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Reserve yours now by calling 813-645-7651 or book online at www.firehouseculturalcenter.org/. Tickets are not sold at the door.