Come to the Pontiac Theater IV For ‘Murder on the Orient Express’
Agatha Christie is one of the greatest mystery authors of all time, creating some of the genre’s most iconic stories and characters. From Miss Marple to the Beresfords and, of course, Harley Quin and her partner Satterthwaite, Christie left her mark on the world of mystery, influencing films and novels even today. But it’s one of her most popular detectives, Hercule Poirot, who brought us to Pontiac Theater IV in Michigan for their production of Murder on the Orient Express in all its glory.
Murder on the Orient Express has been adapted for the screen so many times since its publication in 1934, but it wasn’t adapted for the stage until 2017. With a book from playwright Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, Crazy For You), the colorful, dangerous, and quite funny world of Hercule Poirot comes to life at this local theater. With an engaging cast of murderous characters and an impressive cast that embodies them, you couldn’t help but have a funny and thrilling time with Pontiac Theatre IV’s current production.
[Warning: Spoilers from Pontiac Theatre IV’s Murder on the Orient Express are below!]
Everyone’s a suspect of Murder on the Orient Express
Much like the audience, everyone aboard the luxurious Orient Express is well aware of who Hercule Poirot (Matthew Cross) is and his stellar detective work. He’s world-renowned for solving impossible cases, which brings the larger-than-life Samuel Ratchett (Steve Watkins) knocking on his train car door. Receiving many death threats, Ratchett hopes to hire Poirot to find the culprit before it’s too late.
The private detective first turns Ratchett away, refusing to take on a case when he’s in a rush to get back to London. However, when Ratchett is discovered murdered the next day, Poirot has no choice but to solve the case and quickly. While the train is stopped due to the weather, the detective has a small window to work his way through the list of suspects and discover who wanted Ratchett dead. Although, with everyone on board having means and motive, this won’t be a simple whodunit.
Can Hercule Poirot get to the bottom of the complicated case, or will the murderer strike again before the train can reach London? Secrets pile up in Murder on the Orient Express as Agatha Christie weaves a delicate web that slowly unravels over the course of the two-act show.
A talented cast carries this Agatha Christie adaptation
As a psychologist, one of my favorite parts of stories in the murder mystery genre is that regardless of how big the set or location is, it is a personal story at its core. You have a list of suspects and most slowly work through them until there’s only one solution. This allows for a focus on the characters in the story and in turn on the actors and their abilities, laying it all out on the stage.
Leading the charge of Pontiac Theater IV’s production of Murder on the Orient Express is our Hercule Poirot, played by Matthew Cross. Since we’ve expanded our theater coverage to local productions, we’ve seen Cross in quite a few, and each time, he proves just how good he is at his craft. Poirot is a significant character in this show in nearly every scene, which doesn’t give Cross much time to breathe as the story progresses. However, he makes it look easy, giving an incredible performance in a difficult accent no less.
Christopher Branham was also a fan favorite as Monsieur Bouc, a close personal friend of Poirot and director of the company that owns the Orient Express. Monsieur Bouc is suave and sophisticated, a true businessman through and through. This role also comes with a lot of comedy bits, either physical humor or just jokes, which makes Monsieur Bouc even more charming. Branham executes the role with distinct precision and is easily one of my favorites in this show. He captures the charming qualities of Monsieur Bouc perfectly. and carries them through until the end of the show.
Erica Suszek was perhaps the strongest among the group when it comes to her comedic delivery as Helen Hubbard. Helen is the definition of a strong, independent woman who is traveling by herself on the Orient Express. She’s a fun character to watch interact with the others on the train, and I can only assume she’s just as fun to play. Suszek looks like she’s really enjoying playing the role, which translates to a delightful performance. As the show progresses, there’s another side of Helen shown, however, which allows Suszek to stretch her dramatic chops, giving me chills by the closing of Act II.
Countess Andrenyi was another that was a pleasure to watch on stage, although for a different reason. Where Helen is hilarious, Countess Andrenyi is more serious. She’s got an excellent mind, which comes in handy for Poirot, and the dynamics between these two characters are electric. Camy Sylvestre brings an energy to the Countess that is engaging to observe, even if you are questioning the character’s motives as well. Sylvestre is toe-to-toe with Cross, as they bounce off each other and give audiences some of the best scenes in the show.
Murder on the Orient Express brings fun and chills to Pontiac Theater IV in Michigan
Above are just a few of the highlights from the show. There wasn’t a weak member of the group. The show is stacked with talented performers who are giving their all to audiences looking for a good time. From period-appropriate clothing to impressive hand-painted sets, there’s love in every aspect of this show. Pontiac Theater IV’s hard work pays off with a fun night out at the theater, allowing a bit of escapism when it’s needed the most.
Pontiac Theater IV’s Murder on the Orient Express plays for one more weekend, so get your tickets now! Have you seen a live production of this Agatha Christie novel? Let us know on social media @mycosmiccircus or @boxseatbabes or CosmicCircusBroadway on Bluesky!
Pontiac Theatre IV’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is an absolute D-E-L-I-G-H-T!
