Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express

Climb aboard the Orient Express! Destination… MURDER. It’s winter 1934, and a luxury train, the Orient Express, is full of passengers. When a snowdrift stops the train, one of the passengers is found dead in his locked compartment. It’s up to the famous detective, Hercule Poirot, a fellow traveler, to solve this bizarre case before the killer strikes again. Join us for the ultimate whodunit… but don’t reveal the culprit to others.

Please join us in the West Lobby 30 minutes prior to each curtain for a pre-show talk presented by Playhouse staff.

Our safety guide has been updated and reflects these main changes.

  1. Masks are required for everyone regardless of vaccination status for performances of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. Volunteers and guests who do not comply will not be admitted and tickets will be refunded.
  2. The Playhouse will seat at full capacity if demand warrants.

Please note: The Playhouse remains committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for volunteers and guests and as such we are monitoring the current recommendations, guidelines, and restrictions to which we are subject. Based on CDC and state guidelines at the time of your event, protocols may include mask enforcement, social distancing, or more. Volunteers and guests who do not comply with Playhouse policies will not be admitted and guest tickets will be refunded. Click here to download our full safety guide updated Aug. 31, 2021.

Note: Streaming and video-on-demand rights are not available for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. This show will be in-person only.

Performance Times:
7:30 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays & 2:00 PM Sundays
Theatre:
John Viars Theatre
Run Time:
2 hours including a 15-minute intermission
Content Advisory:
The Playhouse does not rate subject matter as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have questions about content, age appropriateness, or other aspects of the show (ie strobe lights and other theatrical effects), please contact the ticket office at 515.277.6261.

In the News

Interview with Cedric Fevrier and David Kilpatrick, The Culture Buzz, KFMG, Feb. 2, 2022

Little Village magazine review, Feb. 7, 2022

Des Musicals review, Feb. 11, 2022

Broadway World review, Feb. 14, 2022

Interview with Katie Saldanha, We Are Iowa Local 5 News, Feb. 17, 2022

Interview with Ken Ludwig, Apr. 8, 2022

Company

  • Michel the Conductor

    Charles Betts

    Michel the Conductor
  • Daisy (voiceover)

    Vivian Rosalie Coleman

    Daisy (voiceover)
  • Mom / Nanny (voiceovers)

    Kersten Daubitz

    Mom / Nanny (voiceovers)
  • Hercule Poirot

    Cedric Fevrier

    Hercule Poirot
  • Samuel Ratchett

    Michael Garrison

    Samuel Ratchett
  • Marcel, Headwaiter / Assistant Stage Manager

    Jonathan Garton

    Marcel, Headwaiter / Assistant Stage Manager
  • Greta Ohlsson

    Katie Hughes

    Greta Ohlsson
  • Hector MacQueen

    Nate Jorgensen

    Hector MacQueen
  • Monsieur Bouc

    Sean Kanuso

    Monsieur Bouc
  • Dad (voiceover), Assistant Director

    Jonah Kruse

    Dad (voiceover), Assistant Director
  • Radio Belgrade (voiceovers), Sound Designer

    Michael Meacham

    Radio Belgrade (voiceovers), Sound Designer
  • Helen Hubbard

    Cate Miller

    Helen Hubbard
  • Countess Andrenyi

    Katie Saldanha

    Countess Andrenyi
  • Princess Dragomiroff

    Donna Scarfe

    Princess Dragomiroff
  • Colonel Arbuthnot

    Evan Schettler

    Colonel Arbuthnot
  • Mary Debenham

    Jaclyn Stiller

    Mary Debenham
  • Train Announcer (voiceover)

    Sylvain Vroland

    Train Announcer (voiceover)
  • Director

    David R. Kilpatrick

    Director
  • Scenic Designer / Projections Designer

    Nicholas Amundson

    Scenic Designer / Projections Designer
  • Costume Designer

    Angela Lampe

    Costume Designer
  • Lighting Designer

    Amanda Pichler

    Lighting Designer
  • Video Designer

    Carski Studios

    Video Designer
  • Properties Designer

    Allyson Braun

    Properties Designer
  • Stage Manager

    Pilar Burg

    Stage Manager
  • Playhouse Artistic Director

    Katy Merriman

    Playhouse Artistic Director

Photos/Video

  • Suspect everyone in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. The cast features (clockwise from lower left) Katie Saldanha, Sean Kanuso, Katie Hughes, Cedric Fevrier, Charles Betts, Cate Miller, Donna Scarfe, Nathan Jorgensen, Evan Schettler, and Jaclyn Stiller. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express features (left to right) Donna Scarfe, Sean Kanuso, Katie Saldanha, Evan Schettler, Cedric Fevrier, Cate Miller, Nathan Jorgensen, Charles Betts, and Michael Garrison. Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express features (clockwise from left) Evan Schettler, Katie Saldanha, Cate Miller, Cedric Fevrier, Michael Garrison, Nathan Jorgensen, Charles Betts (hidden), Sean Kanuso, and Donna Scarfe. Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • (Left to right) Donna Scarfe is Princess Dragomiroff, Cedric Fevrier is Hercule Poirot, and Cate Miller is Helen Hubbard in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Suspect everyone in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. The cast features (clockwise from lower left) Katie Saldanha, Sean Kanuso, Katie Hughes, Cedric Fevrier, Charles Betts, Cate Miller, Donna Scarfe, Nathan Jorgensen, Evan Schettler, and Jaclyn Stiller. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • (Left to right) Donna Scarfe is Princess Dragomiroff, Cedric Fevrier is Hercule Poirot, and Cate Miller is Helen Hubbard in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • (Left to right) Katie Saldanha is Countess Andrenyi, Cedric Fevrier is Hercule Poirot, and Sean Kanuso is Monsieur Bouc in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • (Left to right) Evan Schettler is Colonel Arbuthnot and Nathan Jorgensen is Hector MacQueen in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • (Left to right) Nathan Jorgensen is Hector MacQueen, Cedric Fevrier is Hercule Poirot, and Sean Kanuso is Monsieur Bouc in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • (Left to right) Cedric Fevrier is Hercule Poirot and Charles Betts is Michel the Conductor in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • (Left to right) Michael Garrison is Samuel Ratchett and Katie Saldanha is Countess Andrenyi in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • (Left to right) Cedric Fevrier is Hercule Poirot and Cate Miller is Helen Hubbard in Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo

  • Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express features (clockwise from left) Evan Schettler, Katie Saldanha, Cate Miller, Cedric Fevrier, Michael Garrison, Nathan Jorgensen, Charles Betts, Sean Kanuso, and Donna Scarfe. Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is Feb. 4-20, 2022, at The Des Moines Playhouse. Photo by Steve Gibbons.

    Download Photo
  • Download Photo

Press Release

Des Moines Playhouse Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kill Date: Feb. 20, 2022
Subject: Des Moines Playhouse Presents: Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
Contact: Lee Ann Bakros, Playhouse Marketing & Public Relations Director, 515-974-5358

The Des Moines Playhouse, now in its 103rd season, presents Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Feb. 4-20, 2022. Tickets for in-person performances are available at dmplayhouse.com and by phone at 515.277.6261. Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, is performed in the John Viars Theatre and is sponsored by Edward Jones.

Climb aboard the Orient Express! Destination… MURDER. It’s winter 1934, and a luxury train, the Orient Express, is full of passengers. When a snowdrift stops the train, one of the passengers is found dead in his locked compartment. It's up to the famous detective, Hercule Poirot, a fellow traveler, to solve this bizarre case before the killer strikes again. Join us for the ultimate whodunit… but don't reveal the culprit to others.

The cast features Charles Betts, Cedric Fevrier, Michael Garrison, Jonathan Garton, Katie Hughes, Nathan Jorgensen, Sean Kanuso, Cate Miller, Katie Saldanha, Donna Scarfe, Evan Schettler, and Jaclyn Stiller. Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express is directed by David R. Kilpatrick. The design team is Nicholas Amundson, scenic designer/projections designer; Angela Lampe, costume designer; Amanda Pichler, lighting designer; Carski Studios, video designer; and Allyson Braun, properties designer.

The Playhouse will seat at full capacity if demand warrants. The Playhouse remains committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for volunteers and guests and as such is monitoring the current recommendations, guidelines, and restrictions to which the theatre is subject. Based on CDC and state guidelines at the time of the performances, protocols may include mask enforcement, social distancing, or more. Volunteers and guests who do not comply with Playhouse policies will not be admitted and guest tickets will be refunded.

The Playhouse vision, as Iowa's largest producing theatre, is to be a vital part of a collaborative, energized, and engaged community that values art in its culture, particularly because of the contributions of high-quality avocational, educational, and entertaining theatre experiences. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For up-to-date information and general guidelines, visit The Playhouse website at dmplayhouse.com or contact The Playhouse at 515.974.5354.

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
Performances: 7:30 PM Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2:00 PM Sundays, Feb. 4-20, 2022
Tickets: $29 Adults; $15 Students
Purchase at dmplayhouse.com

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Show Credits

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

Sponsored by

  • Edward Jones